American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-10-30
CONSTITUTIONAL DOCTRINE.

ting forever the aDSurulty OF tne virginia tPsOlu-
tons concerning revenue and manufactures -
Here is the Father Of the Constitution, rescuing
it from the unhallowed hands which have been
laid upon it, under the influence (too much SO. at
least,) of mere party spirit. So carefully has Mr.
NJ guarded his retirement, that the sight OF his
name to a public paper has refreshing and even
soothing effect. 1t comes upon U, a. strain OF
music long unIcard bringing with it delightful re
miniscences, which will ever attend the names Of
Madison and Loundes Nat Intel.
Letter from Err President Madison to the Editors
Of the LynchburS Tirginian. dated
MONTPELIER, Ger. 10, 1927.
SIRs: | have Just seen, in another Gazette The
following paragraph, noted as an extract from the
Lynchburg Nlrginan, VIZ:
We state. as a fact within our own knowledge,
that, very recently, the Sage and Patriot OF Mont
pelicr expressed his deep regret at the course now
put suing by some of the most eminent politicians
Of Nitsinla that he reprobatcd il as sappng the
foundations Of her power and influence in the
Confederacy, whilst by course OF moderation
and prudence. she mg ht have won over a malolitt
Of her sister States to embrace her principles that
he defended the right Of the National Govern
ment, under the Constitution, to impose a Tariff
OF duties on imports, with reference to other OBJ
lects than revenue he averred that such had been
the course pursued BY every Administration ia the
that to call all the latent resources Of the country
into action, and give them such protection as cir.
lcumstances might suggest, was one Of the princi.
pal reasons for the adjustment Of the Cunfedera4
ton System, which was found inadequate for that
purpose, and the adoption Of the Federal Consti-
tuition and that the resolution passed by the last
Legislature, IN relation to this subject, was cx-
tremely unwise and impoitic. Here, then, is
man e,erlastlngly quoted BY the martexts Of the
,k,tt q
this instrument, and who was one Of its earliest
and abest contcmporaneous expounders, and who,
in the exercise OF his Executive duties, at a later
day. was called on to construe its provisions; who
says that be Is enormously thus quoted: and that
William Is. Giles, that dog in the manger, is fast
hurrying his beloved Virginia to ruin and contempt.
We again repeat. that what we have here stated is
OF our own knowledge, and caunut be contra
dictel."
Without being aware Of the ground on which
the statement is aledged to be within the person
al knowledge Of the Editors, think it proper TO
observe, that, as often happens il the report Of
conversations, there must have been some degree
Vt misrepresentation or msrecOecton
1t is tue that have not approved the proceed
ings Of the General Assembly Of the State, which
would limit the power OF Congress over trade to
regulations having revenue alone for their object
that nave. in occasional conversation, been led to
OUseTNt That contrary doctrine, nau been enter
tanned and acted on, from the commencement Of
the Constitution Of the United States, ~ the seye
raj branches OF every Administration under il and
that regretted the course pursued by the Gene
raj Assembly, as tending to impair the confidence
and cordiality OF other parts Of the Union agree
ing with Virginia IN ler exposition of the ConSti-
tuition, on other points. In eXpfrssin. these ideas
however, more respect has been felt for the patti
otto senslbii'tes Of he Legislative body, aud for
the talents and good Intentions OF members, per
sonaly or otherwise known to me to be particular
y entitled to it, than might be inferred IRON the
tone OF the publication | must observe also
that though It Is true that | have spoken Of the
power OF Congress, IN its charged SENSE over com
merce. as primary and known object In forming
the Constitution. the language of the statement is
inaccurate, at least as being susceptible VI a con-
struction embracing indefinite powers over the I
entire resources OF the country.
must presume that the eXpi essions which refer.
by name. to the Governor Of the State, were moi
meant to be ascrbed to me being very sure that
could never have SO far forgotten Nat ow ed u
myself, or the respect due to him.
II IS with much reluctance, Sirs, that I have had
recourse to these explanatory remarks, withdrawn
as am from scenes OF political agitation by my
age, and pursuits more congenia with it, IL IS the
single instance OF a communication from me to
the Press on any subject connected with IL. ex-
istlng state Of parties.
With respect, JAMES MADISON.
10 the Editors Of the Lynchburg yilsaan.
Remarks By HE pirgiuian.
The above letter, which We received yeste,da,
morning from Mr. Madison, needs no Comment
we regret that VIC SO incantu.sly worried our
paragraph as to leave room for inicrcnccs which {
we did not intend 10 convey. We did mn intend.
for instance, that our readers Should understand
i 70 be Mr.. Madison's opinion chat the General
Government possesses : indefinite powers ovcs the
entire resources Of the coun;ry'--tor we ,lr! moi
ourselves believe t'at NJ II, tnte etaire.9 any