Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-28
CoMMUMICATIoM

TO the Editors OF the Richmond Enquirer.
GENTLEMEN:
have too much respect for the intelligence
Of Caius Gracious, 10 suppose him incapable oil
understanding plain proposition, Submitted in
very plain terms; and too much confidence in his
candor, TO believe that he would willingly misre
present an antagonist for any purpose whatever
can account, therefore, for his having attribute ed
me sentiments which never entertained, and quo
ted from expressions which never used, only
from the extraordinary effect invariably produced
on politicians s OF tha school 10 which he belongs
~ reference, matter how cautiously guarded,
Or how innocenty intended, TO certain general eX-
pressions, be found in the constitution of the u
States. never did, either directly or by the mos,
remote implication, claim for the general COVE
nient an authority 10 do UhdteUe ii 5eliered WOuid
6e c0Td0ciUe TO "the common defence ard the
general welfare Of the nation" Nor did ever
assert tina, such doc trine had been conceded by
large proportion O! Tie wisest and best men of
our country nor IS that il had been sustained by
the uniform practice OF every administration from
the first to the las,.'' did however assert, and
I repeat IT'D that the authority TO appropriate
s7oney TO objects merely because OF their connec-
ton with Z" the common defence ard the general
welfare, had been thus conceded and thus SUSTAIN
cd; ana still rely the facts, that have been and
that may he adduced, 10 justify the assertion.
General Hamilton, it is admitted, claimed such
an authority for the government Mr.. Me-
Duiiie assumed IT one OF the grounds o. lstifica-
ton for appropriations TO internal mprov eu,ent.
And 1t was the only consideration, by which Mr..
Monroe could be induced 10 sign bill, providing
The necessary means for repairing the Cumberland
road. MIR. Adams has serted The doctrine in the
mos, unqualified terms. Mr.. Calhoun has main
tanned IT with very great ability on more than one
occasion: And am very much mis- akea II Nh
Lowndes and Mr.. Cheves will no, be found TO have
been amongst it's most eloquent and most power ful
a.lv casa fi,o ofI r
on 20 multiply evidences that tie doctrine had been
conceded by large proportion of the wisest
aad best men of the couniry,' but / presume
enough has been said TO satisfy even CaiuS Grac-
ehus on this subject. unless, indeed, wisdom and
excellence claimed The exclusive attributes OIL
HE 4" chosen few with whom he has though; pro-
perfo associate himself in politics.
Bat have been guilty also, it would seem,
al the " eItravagancy" OF declaring the same
doctrine 50 had been sustained by the uniform
practice OF every administration from the first 10
The lasts" and have escaped the indignant astoa-
fsiment OF my ingenious opponent. only by an hon
est exhibition OF the examples relied on TO prove
the correctness of tho declaration. May crave
his indulgcnt forbearance yet little longer, while
| endeavor 10 shew that these examples are
not SO entirely Irrelevant, as he seems TO
think them! La doing SO | shall purposeIy alb
stain from all reference 10 the administrations
Of Washington and the elder Adams Their
were days OF Federal predominance, and we mus;
81 course presume, of laii,udnarinn construction.
And although it has since been discovered that
"ihere were more thingsi heaven ana earth, than
we're dreaIat OF in their philosophy ye; would
not tempt the indignant ire OF nav opponeut by
appealing to an authority, in connection with
which, he was taught perhaps, to list the oiious
epithet OF g The reign 9fterrOr.' Nor will at
iempt TO sustain myself by the acts of Mr.. Mon
roe, TO whose opinions on this subject" it seems
~. ha.t -
sumo, and certain -discomftted clieltain,
would take but little pleasure in referring
prefer to confnel myself 10 al authority, which
cannot be contested to those golden days OF the
republic, when the question is said to have been
not how much power was necessary TO adrninis er
he government nell, but with how little ii could be
administered at all aud if should shety, that
even in those days, appropriations were occa-
sonsliy made, which, ii not justified on the ground
hat they were required by s'the common defence 6
ne general welfare must either be wholly with
ont authority, or must rest for their justification on
rule OF construction infinitely more extended and
.aore alarming than any that has hitherto been sue-
.,este1-If can show this, trust / shall stand
Tcquited OF indiscretion, in attempting TO sustain
myself by the practice " of every administration,
nom the first TO the last"
The acquisition of Louisiana, it will be recoI-
scted, was effected during the administration of
dr. Jefferson. And notwithstanding the time that
if1s since elapsed, have never, Until now, heard
ne suggestion, that it made, either wnh a
lew TO add 10 the number OF the states or under
Ae authority given to Congress Z" to admit new
,:ates into the Union" The fact is, that from the
ueculiar situation Of Louisiana, &" the common de
lence and general welfare Of orr country required
lat II should belong 10 us, rather than 10 any for
Ign power. This consideration and this alone
.1ggested the propriety Of obtaining IT, And as
ie people, IN the plenitude Of their wisdom, had
00nhded TO the President and Senate the authority
10 make trea'ies," and 10 Congress the power
~ lay and SOLICIT taxes" for the express purpose
oi " providing Tor the common defence and pro-
citing the general welfae," there could lie no
djubt OF the propdety Of the application OF these
..Jwers 10 a measure, 80 erninently conducive. -
.as The purchase oil Louisiana, to the purpose for
Itch they had been granted--thcre was no ne
city Tor looking beyond them; for an authority
make the purchase land least OF al, was there
y constitutional obligation to provide Tor The
are admission Of the purchased territory into the
.aion. The treaty Of acquisition ii is true, con
nod such pfovision--But il was a matter Of
Sediency, and not of constitutional necessft s .
D. grew out oil the impression, that it would be
Ter 10 invest with the rights and pferogatyes Of
siate, territory, which our interests rcnuired
Qua be lorever connected with ne, than 70 retain
~ perpetual territoral or colonial dependence
- the pubic interest required or would il ever
nc been 'satihed BY femporary possession of
|Iisana, can 1t be doubted that tie fo,yer. ~ tb,
'vcTnrnent would have been fully ADEQUATE to
nire such possession? Should the dav eve,
aHYs, vhsp II purchase Of Coba shssI Be- tse on.