Winchester gazette. [volume] (Winchester, Va.) 18??-1826, 1824-12-24

cd the por; of Charleston III December last, were
imprisoned, which elected warm complaint
from that officer 20 his government. This cir
cuulsance produced "A diplomatic correspon-'
dcnce between Glr. Canning the British Minis
ter at Washington, and more subsequently,, MIR.
Addlngton the charge dafiairs, and Mr.. Secreta-
ry Adams. In a note 10 the Secretary, MIR. Ad-
dington very spirtedly "demands redress and re-
Paraiion for injuries inflicted on subject of his
majesty, who had tue misfortune 10 fall under the
weight of the statute in question" The Prcsi-
dent solicited, through Mr. Adams, the opinion
of MIR. Attorney General Writ, whether the law
in question 'is compatible with the rights of ma
tons in an,ity with the United States or with the
national constitutions" In reply, the Attorney
General says he is ''of opinion that the section
of the law under consideration is void, as being
against the constitutions treaties, and laws of the
United States, and Incompatible with the rights
ofall nations in amiy with the United States"
In conformity with this opinion, Mr.. Adams, by
TO the Governor of South Carolina, expressing
the hope that the Legislature would repeal the
law, whose operation was prejudicial TO the
commerce, aud oppressive TO the subjects OF
Great Britain. The President, however, did not
find the Governor as accommodating US he nigh!
have wished; for, in communicating the docu-
ments this subject to the Senate, so far from
recommending repeal ofthe law, he stoutly in
ssts that "South Carolina has the right to inter-
diet the entrance of such persons into her ports,
whose organization of mind, habits, and associa-
tons render them peculiarly calculated to dis
turb the peace and tranquility of the state, in the
same manner as she prohibit those afflicted
with infectious disease, to touch her shores !" that
" the law of self-preservaton derives lis author-
~ from higher source than any municipal or
international law" In another communication
upon the same subject, the Governor throws into
their Solicitor General, in relation to "a similar
law TO the one in question, operating with pecu-
liar severity upon the Roman Catholics. The
opinion is as follows :-"No man has q right Ia
remain in and be protected by the laws Of any
community that is plotting its destruction On
this simple and plain ground think every Le
will be thought neither Injurious 10 the civil
rights, nor offensive to the peaceable Catholics
to comply with it,
Without pretending to offer an opinion as to
ile merits OF the question, we would simply re-
mark, that the facts and reasons given by the
Governor for the continuance OF the obnoxious
been truly said, that self-preservation is the frs
'aw OF nature; and that TO secure TINS, every
other consideration dwIndles into comparativ,
insgniicance. Even treaties, however sacre-,
ana laws, however inviolabe, must yield TO this
universal law oil nature
But there is another great and important con-
speaking ot--Already has there arisen serious
ground for tearing and trembling at the mon
strous strides of power of the General Govern
meut, which threatens the destruction of tne
rights and independence OF the states, and the
formation OF a great and uHwieldy consolidated
government To avert SO great a calamity, At
behoves the Southern States to watch with
Argus eyes. On this subject, the Governor of
South Carolina, in his message TO the Legisla-
Iature, has the following spirited remarks:
% There should be spirit of concert and of nc
ton among the slave holding States, and de-
termined resistance to any violation of their
local institutions. The crisis seems to have ar
rived when we are called upon to protect our
selves. The President of the United States and
his law adviser so far from resisting the efforts
of foreign ministry, appear TO be disposed by
an argument drawn from the overwhelming
powers of the General Government, TO make
us the passive instruments of policy, at war,
not only with our interests, but destructive also
OF our national existence. The evils of slavery
have been visited upon us, by the cupidity of
those vfio are now the champions of universal
emancipation. flrH determination TO resist at
the threshold every invasion Of our domestic
tranquility, and to preserve our sovereignty, and
independence as state, is earnestly recon-
mended and if an appeal to the first principles
of the right of government be disregarded aud
reasons be successfully combated by sophistry
and error; there would be more glory in form
ing rampant with our bodies on the confines of
our territory than TO be the victims of "A sac
csssful rebellion, or the slaves of great con
solidated government"
General Lcfayette-The following generous
provision has been reported blythe committee on
the services and sacrifices of General Lafayette.
Should it pass, (of which there is no doubt the
mouarchicaI cry Of the ngratitude Of Republics,