Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-08

'e"'s' therefore, 10 be one of those questions OF
cohS'ruc'ion' about which, great and good men
may diher; az, unquestionabiy, such men, holding
'ne hrs' place, in the confidence and affections of
'heir coun'rymen, have differed in opinion.
Inc Committee have besto .ed the like con.ide-
iat'oh on the following enquiry, - neither the
.aw' generally called the tariff law, does no, vic
ia'e me rights OF private property by taking it
from Its owner, and giving it to smother person ,
neither rendering public service" Upon most
careful review of the Constitution of the United
S'aes In the eighth section of the first article, the
COMMITTEE hnd enumeration of certain speci
ned powers granted to the Government of the
Uniied States. The FIRST specification is in the
following words: Art. ls,, Sec. 8. 8. The Con-
eress shall have power; lst to lay and collect tax
es' dulles, mpos's and excuses. to pay the debts
and provide for the common defence and general
welfare OF the United States: but all duties, i'm
posts ana excuses -hall be uniform throughout the
United States I" 3D., ITO reoul..e Commerce
with foreign naio :, aud among the several States
and with the lndian tribes" Under these pro-
visions, at The hrs Session of the frst Congress
unuer ms government, on the 4th July 17S9
uhdef the administration of Washington, the ia :
ther OF MS country, the first tariff law, or act
laying dulles, was enacted In the preamble il is
expressly stated, among other things, that they
were Unsigned to protect and encourage manufac-
lures. In The discussions upon this law. il as
distinctly asserted by Mr. Madison, who. had ac,ed
so conspicuous part in the formation and adop-
tion OF the Federal Constitution, and who was af-
rewards elevated 10 lis highest Office that The
ota'es mat are mos advanced in population, and
ripe Tor manufacturers ought to have their par,icu.
lar interests attended 10 in some degree; while
'hese states retained the power of making repuIa-
Mons o. 'rade, they had the power to cherish and
wo'ee' such insi'utions. BIZ adopting he cons,i-
iutIon they have thrown the exercise of this NJ - er
INTO he's hand; they must have done this i,b an
expectation that ,hosem eresis ,uld oil be neglect
Gu Defe AT ths time, and for thirty Years alter
wards, the power of Congress to protect domestic
manufactures, seems never TO have been quest on ed
l." the message of Mr. Jeff.r son in 1902, he recon-
'ueh"s 70 'ongie'-, :" TO protect the manufactures
adapted 10 our circumstance" In thai of 1878.
he says that, q the establishments formed and
forming, VIII, under the auspice. of cheaper ma
ieFiss and subsistence, the freedom of labour fro
tsxation with u, and of protecting duties and
FFohtoittons, become permanent In the message s
I oil Messrs. Madison and Monroe, protection o;
our domestic manufactures is more urseotIr and
frequently recommended
Ohds these circumstances, in Difference 10 Ion 2
us-se, and 20 the opinions of men of the I'll ST CHI.
iac'er' o. distinguished talents, and of known IA
oismi Opinions sanctioned by the ,peonle.
,hr ugh long continued probation Of ,he.e H.
iurtrioss men, your committee beg leaye 10 de-
clue the expression CT any opinion, whether the
exercise of The powers before mentioned be cop-
uafy 20 'he provisions OF the CONSTITUTIONS OF aot
Inc expression OF such opinion by the General
Assembly, Z" use rs Own language on a former
memorable occasion, fought never to be iaterposeu,
IN basy manner, on a doubtful or inferior
occasion. or, In The case of an intimate ard
constitutional union, like that OF me Uniteis,a,e.
the nterposition Of the parties in their sovereien
capacity can be called for, by occasions oniv deem
~ ard essentially affecting the vital principles Of
ther political system such an in,esposi,ion can
o"iy De repaired, IN the case OF a deliberate nj
paDie and dangerous breach of the Cons.in,;on
by the exercise OF powers no, grsnted b, il I,
mu-' oe case, not OF lish and transient nature.
p't oil nainre dangerous TO TIE great purposes.
Tor which the Constitution was es,abi.bpd T,
mus' De case moreover. not obscure or doub, li,I
In It's construction, but plain and papabIe Lastly.
II must be case, not resulting from partial con-
sdefation, or hasty determination but a r.s.
stamped with hEsl considerable, and del;lsr.,.
adherence" Although your committee are of o.
pinion that the FIRST of these powers has been
so'1e''n'es Grained 10 an extent not contemplated
ia u'e constitution, hey are not prepared 10 say.
that In the claim or exercise of either power there
has been any such " deliberate, palpable and dan
gerous breach OF the Constitution - n. To reou;,s
the InleTpo~i'ion OF the Legislature Thew believe
that the wisdom OF the people, their yipiIsnt re-
gard "f the pow ers not delegated 10 their ruler.
and their arden devotion to the PRINCIPLES Of IN.
Constitution. ill, in their ordinary election. and
By The sure operation of public opinion bring about
correction OF whatever abuses may exist. And
therefore, 'he committee will ask to be discharged
rom 'he iur'her consideration of The subject
This course will appear the more proner ,vbs,
1t is recollected, that the exercise of The mowers
complained OF, originated under administrations
enjoying IN high degree, the confidence and af-
lection oil Virginia; that during period Of tsept
years, while these measures were, from time "a
ume' under consideration, and in progress. In.
voice OF her Legislature was never raised in orpo-
sitIon TO them; that on the contrary, ii solemnIy
sanctioned the pow er of internal improvement
upoL two occasions under the administrations OF
Jefferson and Madison; that the protection of ma
nuiactures. not only by duties, but even by prohi
Billions, was earnestly recommended To Congress
ny those great men; that the present tariff law wi
frequently attempted, and finally passed, under the
administration OF the venerable Monroe; and tina,
having at the last session, immediately upoo the
accession OF new administration, to whose cleo
ton this Sia'e as opposed, passed resolutions ds-
ciaring that Congress did not possess the power,
before mentioned, the renewed expression of thai
opinion by this Assembly, might excite. among
our sister states, ieslousies and Imputaiions un-
worthy OF The motives, the principles and the cha.
racter of Virginia.
\ Resolued therefore, That the Committee be d.
charged from ne further consideration of the mat.
tiers referred 10 them.
Monday, March 5.
! On motion Of Mr.. Mason of King s. Queen.
the report OF the committee appointed to examine
the bonds OF public officers, was taken up and
read. The committee reported resolution that
it was expedien' to reduce the amount of the pep.
atty of the bond required Of a tre,.ufer