Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-11-25
GE0RGI4 LEgLsrAyrer

OEO1iNf-1 LEO(Sf a I G4s =
MLLgDCEviLLF November IA
sketch or The proceedings OF the General
Assembly OF tliis state, since lis orgstii2a-
ton last Tuesday. is given in our prece-
ding columns. The bill before The Sc
nate TO prevent the circulation of rncKc,-
tered bank notes, if adopted, of which we
presume thcre is little doubt, will pro,a-
bly, be efieciual. Ii is strong measure.
but not stronger than the evil IL is intend
ed To cure, requires.
Among the most important subjects
now under consideration, or likely 10 be
brought forward at The present session.
IS The proposition 10 tar the Brauch OF
the '' Bank Of the United States,v esra-
bllslied at Savannah. The right OK the
General Government to incorporate a
Bank under any circumstances, has been
long and ably, though not successfully.
contoveried; hut, iorit TO invest an assn
cation Of individuals with The power Of
multiplying Branches at pleasure III diff
iereni parts OF the Union is incompatible
with The interest, and subversiye ui the
sovereignty, of The States. As the Con-
shtutIon gives no such specific power, it
Is talr 10 presume, thar what the States
did mol expressly delegate, was prudent
ly reserved by them in The formation Of
their coniederacy. If This aulhoritv, as
Is contcnded by the advocates OF ,i!is nea-
sure, be derived from the sweeping clau-
SEES, " 10 lay aHd collect taxes, duties, ini-
posts, and eXcises,' and go provide Tor
The general welfare Of the United States
there Is scarcely any power however dan
gerous, that Congress may mol claim aud
exercise.
But this assumed right may becombaf-
ted III another way, By such Of The States
as are opposed 10 it. Some wears ago, we
are informed a tax was imposed i5y the
Legislature Of Georgia OH the Bran h, in
this state, OF tie former Bank OF tie u
nited States. Upon The refusal of the
Cashier 10 makea voluntary payment. the
then Attorney General directed the She
nh OF Chatham county f. enter the Bank.
aud levy upon any article of value, which
IN hts judgment would produce The a
mount of tax claimed by the s;ate--He
did SO, and an action Of irespass was
brought against llim by iiie President aud
Directors. The case was argued before
Judge Johnson, ono Of the aSscciate Judg.
es of tie Supreme court al HE United
States, who decided an ftre0, Of the as
sessmeat-lhat il mfringed no constitutions
al principle; and, That If was as competent
tor the stale sovereignty to tGr t:is spe-
cues 81 property, as any other one with
i'll lis jurisdciIonal limits. The tax was
regularly paid thereafter, I'LL the dIssnlu-
ton OF the Bank by the expiration of lis
Charter
OF the right TO impose sucla tax, there
is no doubt; and as little can exist, we
think, as 10 lis policy. Much, perhaps
the largest portion. of the u. s. Bank
stock belongs 10 Foreigners, While not
a cents worth Is Improperly the natl
onal government. On the contrary, the
stock of the Georgia Banks is owned by
the State, and It's citizens. That which
Is held by the state, has this year Weld
ed revenue OF about .ffty thousand dol
lars. Its annual profits il future, viii not,
probably, be halftka sum, If Branches of
the United States Bauk, which will di-
vide, if they do not engross the business,
are established aMong us. If our present
circulating medium be insufficient 10 pur-
chase the produce of the state, let il be
INCREASED 10y enlarging the capital of Tie
existing Banks, or by incorporating new
ones.
Upon every principle of lar and potter,
Georgia has, we conceive, an unguesii.
enable right to TAX livestock Of any Branch
Bank Of the u. States, established within
her limits; andy are clearly of opinion,
that she onght TO exercise IL in an eAempl9-
ry manner.
enforcement IF Neutrality. --Uader fits
head, tie Providence American, Of Fri,
day last, states, the brig b, at Bristol, was
on Thursday tried hptorp tao Stairs