American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-08-31
WAsHGNGToN, March 81, 1908.
Dean SIR,


have received from one Of my friends in Boston,
copy of printed pamphlet, containing letter
from Mr.. Pickering to the governor OF the com
monweah, intended for communication to the le-
gislature of the state, during the session recently
concluded. But this ohlect not having been accom-
plshed, it appears to have been published by some
friend Of the writer whose iuducemeni is stated,
doubt ,ruy, to have been the Importance Of the mat
'er discussed it, and the high responsibility of the
author.
The subjects of this letter are the embargo, and
the differences in controversy between our country
and Great Bri,an- subjects upon which it is my
misfortune, in the discharge Of my duties as sela
tor of the United States to differ from the opinion
of my colleague. The place where the question
upon the FIRST of them, in common with others Of
great national concern, was between him and me,
In our official capacities proper object OF discus
slon was the senate oil the union There II was DIS
Cussed snd as lar as the constitutional authority oil
that body extended, there II was decided. Having
obtained alike the concurrence OF the other branch
of the national Legislature, and the appreciation Of
The presidents il became the law Oi the land, and as
such have considered entitled to the respect and
the ebedeoce OF every virtuous citizen.
From these dee lsions, however, the letter in ques
ton is to he considered in the nature OF appeal
in the hrs instance. to our common constituents,
the legislature OF the state; aud in The second by
the pubicatlon 20 (he people. To both these tribu
nails shall always hold myself accountable TOT every
act OF my public life. Yet, were my own political
character alone implicated il the course which has
in Ihi- instance been pursued. should have tor.
borne all notice OF the proceeding and have lett my
conduct inthis as IN other cases, TO the caBdor and
discretion oil my country.
But to this species Of appeal thus conducted, there
are some objections constitutional grounds which
deem i. my duty to mention fer the consideration
ol the public. On statement OF circumstances at
ttnfIup inn of national Legislation,
statement which the writer undoubtedly believed
TO be true but which comes only from one side oil
the question, and which expect to prove, IN the
most essential points, erroneous, the writer. with the
most animated tone Of energy. calls for the ihterpo
SitiOn Of the commercial states, and asserts that
"nothing but their sense, clearly and emphatlcalis
n expressed, will save them from ruin" This solemn
"A and alarming invocation is addressed TO the iegsla
Iure OF Massachusetts, at so late period OF hel'
IA session, that had il been received by them, they
must have been compelled either to act upon the
views o This representation, without hearing the
counter statement of the other side, or seemingly lc
disregard the pressing interest OF their constituents
by Degiecting admonition OF the most serious
complexion Considering the application as prece
Y dent, its tendency is dangerous to the public. Foi
the FIRST suppositon that the legislature had beer
precipiiated TO act on the spur OF such an lnstlga
tion they must have led on imperfect Information
and under excitement not remarkably adapted
20 the composure of safe deliberation. On the SC
sond, they would have been exposed to unjust i'm
q putations, which, at the eve OF an election, nigh
Il have operated in The mos unequitabe manner upol
The characters of individual members.
The I'M ei position of one more state legislatures
to control the exercise Of the powers vested by thu
general constitution in the congress OF the Unite'
States, is al least of questionable policy. The view
~ Of state legislature naturally and properly limi
ted in considerable degree TO the peculiar interest
afr hoe Fb4U uphte and TORI M
n national dellberatlve assemblies for the com
promise and Cancellation Of The interests OF all--o
"a the whole nation. II the appeal from the regular
m legitimate measures OF the body where the Who'll
nation srepresened, be proper to one state legisa
tnre, it must be so to another II tie commercial
states called 10 nterpose on one hand, will nc
the agricultural states be with equal propriey sum
moned to intepose on the oiherr If the east
stimulated against the west, and the northern an
"a southern sections are urged into collision with eac
other, by appeals from the acts OF congress to III
representative slates-iR achat are these appeals
81 end?
a Ii is undoubtedly The right, and may often becom
the duty OF state Legislature to address that oil tn
II nation with the expression of its Wishes in regar
TO interests peculiarly concerning the state itsel
ID Nor shall question the right OF every member
vi che great edSrative compact to declare its own sens
MI OF measures interesting TO the nation at large. 81
81 whenever the occurs. that this sense should
XII clea y and empbalicslly" expressed, 1t ougi
MI surely to be predica,ed upon full and imparti
~ consideration OF the whole subject-not under tt
stmulus of one .sded representation-iar less vi
on the impulse of conjectures and suspicious i
3 not through the medium of personal sensiby, ne
n OF party bias, nor ct professional occupation nor
% geographical position that the ohote truth can
n discerned of questions involving the rights and IL
"A terests OF this extensive union. When the discu
l sion is urged upon state legislature the hrst ca
NJ upon its members should be to cast all their leelinf