Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-14

general system of Internal Improvements and final
~ In 1924, when the bill for obtaining the necessa-
~ surveys, preparatory to a general system OF
lniernal Improvement was under ti-cussion, il ].
believed tina, Mr. McDule was the only gentle
man in the whole debate, who contended for il,
while every other gentleman who noticed the doc
trine at all Gas far as have the debates) wle
Their advocates or opponents of the bill, expressly
renowned it, as doctrine which in its practical
operations, would utterly destroy the Federal Co.
vernment, as one Of limited powers. 1t is true tina,
Mr. Adams goes the whole; as well in relation to
'his, as to many other newly discovered powers
oil the Government. And it is more than probable,
that MIR. Monroe is Indebted his ministry Tor his
latter Impressions upon this subject, which he him
sell ut the very moment OF announcing them to the
world, admitted he did not entertain, for the
iirst ~ or 80 years of his political life; and which
ne was certainly rot suspected of carrying with
HIN into the Presidential Chair That Messrs
l.owndcs and Cheves ever advocated this doctrine,
Is fact, OF which l an not infonned; and about
which, your corresr ondent with all his zeal and
devotion TO it, is not himself certainly advised. -
This then, is a history, according to my informa-
tion, OF this doctrine of the =" appropriating pow
er" of the Government And which hazard no
thing IN repeating, was never considered
settled article OF the ancient federal creed The
true battle-ground, between the old Federal and
democratic parties, being 10 the erteat Of the
tpOSernment.
Correspondent himself intmates, and which may
be abunianily seen, by reference TO The debates up
OH the L =. Bank bill OF 1890, and more especial-
ly the opinions of Messrs Jefferson and Hamili on
communicated liz Cabinet Council, TO General
Washington upon tina; question; and which with
the various other debates and readings upon the
Constitution Of that period. / would advise Opim-
ins again to peruse, if he has abandoned his po-
litical caechsm. and become as excessive in his
as has tba 4. 81
jecs.
But II is admitted by your Correspondent that
this Is an implied power, and 10 be found no where
expressed in the constitution. Al.o that the obiec-
ton urged by MIR. Madison in his Report of 1909
grounded on the quality OF money as an almost uni
versai agent for ehecting every object of lessla-
ton, would be a solid one; as il W Guild have the
effect OF defeating the Subsequent enlme. alton O
powers in the constitution =" ii the rower to ap-
" Proprfdte money 10 an object drew after i, as
necessary consequence, the pow er TO accon:pIish
- that osJect: " The power 10 appropriate mo
ney to an object, and the power 10 erecufe it. be.
ing two distinct things. The latter he is pleas
ed 10 call the 0cttue pO,Der OF the Government, and
the former presume when christene,l, lie would
| have US to understand as the possiue power. And
hnaIly, by way of illustration, puts w cases The
one IS - MIR. Kings proposition, to create fund
- to aid IL tie emancipation and removal of such
slaves, as may by the laws Of the several states
=" be authorised 10 be emancipated and removed -
which he says" could in possible mode, inter
iere with the rights. either of the States or of in
dividuais. But power TO emancipaie and remove
the slaves within the limits OF State would be
most alarming power OF interference with BOTH
Let us now, .HcSsrs. Editors, for the double
purpose Of Illustrating this new doctrine, rs well
as oil estimating the true character Of this nsidious
proposition, which has been so eagerly embraced
ana defended by your correspondent and his society,
give it practical application, 10 this subject of
negro slavery. Il is admitted, that the tenure bv
(which we hold this portion of our property is sa
cred and nviolabe under the Constitutions and that
ila power on tie part OF the Federal Government
" TO emancipate and remove the slaves within the
limits oil state, would lie most alarming power
OF interference both with the rights of the states and
OF individuals" Let US suppose that Congress- in
ihe exercise OF ITS power - 10 lay and collect tax
les, duties, imposts, &c' should decide, that the
general welfare, demanded the removal ofthe whole
slave population OF the South, and that Tariff Of
duties should be 80 conceived and planned, as ID
bear almost exclusively upon the interest of tbe
slave holding states, (and experience shews
the practicabiiiy of this part of the scheme) will,
view oil raising revenue 10 be applied 10 tbisl
OBJECTS and out OF this fund 10 appropriate sum
De aid OUT IN the purchase of slaves price tina,
could not iail to command them, say $1,000 for
each slave, young or old, male or female TO he
delivered 10 It's agents throughout the country, for
Ihe purpose OF emancipation and removal Can
any reasonable man doubt, hu; his would be az
ehec'ual mode OF accomplishing the emaEcipa-
iIon OF our slaves. at own cost too, as anv di
rect exercise OF power for that object? Inthe one
case, the operation would be direct and immediate
In The other Indirect in its operation, EMPLOYING
only little contriyance, TO wiring from US the
very money, which is afterwards 10 he re-deliyered
TO ne IN payment Tor property; and all this
tor T" the common defence and general welfare I'll
Let II be also remembered, that according toll
Opimus' own theory, the UaiidHy of this power
is made to depend on It's capacity to acco,uDiisb
IFS Object. Because in his own language. if The
" appropriation OF money to an object draws after
IN The power to accomplish that cbiect' it is eoui
vaient to direct exercise Of the achre pouers of
the Government to The attainment of that end
In the case under consideration it has never
been doubleday any one, but the power TO emau
cipate TIE slaves OF STATE was exclusively state
right Suppose tie State of Virginia TO be as
unanimous in her Legislative Resolves, TO retain
her slave population, as she has sewn herself TO
be opposed 10 federal system of internal improve
ment; OF what avail would be shis Legislative Re
solve, this state purpose, when the Federal Co
vernment had the power Of compelling us 20 con.
tribute the very funds, with which by its Agents
IT was buying up from individuals all the slaves Of
the commonwealth at a price of 3 or ! times their
real value? The appropriations cannot here be
said to go IN did OF the rights and policy of the
State Of Virginia, but directly in opposition 10 H.
lis operation IS directly and Immediately upon the
citizens of the cdDmonw ealth, and their property;
without the nterv eution OF state consent or state
legislation. And it Is not a sufficient answer TO
this objection. to aIleIge that in this mode of opera
tion, the consent Of the individual slave holders
must first be obtained: Because il is this very
circumstance Of the Federal Government, being
able to accomplish its object, independent of state
legislation or consent. by directly operating upon
20 rif IF at,so + 4