Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-05-13

toy Out rs the acquisition OF territory Is not enc
OF tile objects enumerated in the Constitution tor
which revenue may be collected it seems hardly
necessary to say, that revenue cannot be appropri
ated Tor any such substantive purpose, although ii
may chance to be applied in that way, whenever
the acquisition OF territory becomes a necessary
and proper means TO give full effect to any Of the
general powers which are specially granted To
carry this doctrine further would be assert that
revenue might be appropriated to a purpose for
wIssch II couid not be collected and so TO make the
resulting and mere accessorial power greater than
the original and principal power, from which alone
IT is derived proposition, which seems to this
Co'nnitee, as erroneous in argument. a. 1t wo uid
be dangerous in practice.
The Committee having thus shown that the u.
States have no right, at this time, TO acquire new
territory upon the coast OF Africa, for any purpose,
might perhaps excuse themselves from examining
this subject under any other aspect. But the SUBJ
Ject is one by much too important in ITSELF not 10
he investigated in every shape under which 1t has
been presented. by any of those who have brought
IT before the Senate. The Committee will, there
tore examine il in another view.
ifit was possible the u. States TO acquire ter
| ritory upon the coast of Africa, do they possess
the right Of transporting ttlicr, at the public
pense, any part OF our own populations? And here
the Committee will observe, that although in this
particular instance ii ia proposed transportnone
| but portion of the coloured population to the
coast OF Africa, yet the power proposed to be ex-
| erted Is the same that would be employed If the
OBJECT was to transport, at the public expense, any
portion OF the white population any other spot.
Ii Is true that the power in question is now pro-
posed TO be cXertcd for the transportation Of vo-
luntary emigrants only. But, il the United States
ENJOY this power, and may employ ii Tor such
purpose, none can deny TO them the right oil act
| ing upon the people, by holding out inducements
| to them to cmisrate: OF the extent OF such in
ducements, the United States must necessarily be-
the sole Judges; and, being the Judges, il is obvi-
| Gus they may offer bounties OF such character as
TO overcome all reluctance, and convert any in
10 willing emigran's, when the power in Question,
If it be legitimate, would rightfully apply to them.
| Nay, bountieS and rewards are not the only means
| by which the United States might act upon the
| citizen to overcome his reluctacnc TO emgrate-
| In the exercise Of other powers which belong to
| them, while they do not exceed the Constitutional
limits, and are not, therefore, guilty ofusurpaton,
| they may, nevertheless, Cypress him, by, un-
| Intentionally misdircc,ing his labor and capital,
as to inspire him with the wish OF flying froE, the
land OF his bth, and of accepting their proitered
aid to bear the expense of his transpor taton. 1t
Is question: therefore, well deserving the serious
consideration of every State in this Union, whe-
ther the United States may rishtiuiiy intrude
within the confines OF any OF the States, Tor the
purpose OF withdrawing from thence any portion
oil Its inhabitants, i'll order to locate them perma-
nently elsewhere?
| Upon this subject the Committee have no doubt
hey believe that, tor all mere external purposes,
which bring the United States into contact with a
ny foreign State, the powers vested in them by
the Constitution are full and complete. All pow
or useful and lit for the attainment of any of these
not only vested IN the United States,
but expressly denied TO each OF the States For
all purposes merely internal, however whether
connected with either the territory or population
oil State where the reserved powers OF the States
are plenary to their accomplishment, those OF the
United States are limited, specially enumerated
IN the Constitution, and circumscribcd not less by
The enumeration than by the objects for which
these powers were granted. The United States,
therefore, cannot act directly in any way, either
upon the territory or the population Of State,
(whether 1t be white or coloured,) except for the
objects defined, and in the modes prescribed, by
The Constitution The revenue of the United
States can no more be appropriated to the defray
ing oil the EXPENSES OF Transporting any portion Of
tie inabitants of the States, being in the ser
vice Of the United States, from one part of the
world TO another, than il be appropriated
to the support and comfort OF such inhabit-
ants while within the u. States either TO feed to
clotIc, or 20 educate them there These latter pow
ers, however. it has ever been conceded, the u.
States DO not cnjoy under thc Constitution; and
yet, that which it is now proposed to exert, is a
power not Cply similar Ill Its nature, but NAV be
Infinitely more preiudicial to the States in its eff
iccts torit must be obvious to all, that the Ell
| icct oil The exercise oil such power by the Uni
ted States, II carried 10 any extent, would be to
inpaIr the political weight of the State from which
the subtraction OF population was made; and so to
derahge that equilibrium OF political power, which
1t was the purpose OF the Constitution TO establish
anu topreseTve. 1t IS obvious too, that, in the
! proposed case, this power must, of necessity be
partially eXerted; because the coloured popu iajion
watch II Is proposed 10 transport, is not scattered
generally or equally over the whole surface OF the
United States, but exists in very unequal propor-
| tons, and III particular districts only. The ex-
| pense OF their transportation, however, must be
betrayed BY the appropriation OF revenue derived
| from the contributions OF all.
! power Of such doubtful origin of such partial
operation, Of such broad and dangerous extent, &
TO the attainment OF all the beneficial effects of
which the powers of every State are fully equal,
nus Committee cannot think is possessed by the
United States. AS one of the powers not granted
TO the United States, il is reserved TO the States
each OF which possesses tie clear right of control
ling and governing its own people and territory
does not conflict with any of the powers granted
TO the United States; who on their part could not
possibly exert this power, of taking away any part
OF The population Of State in order 10 locate il
permanently elsewhere beyond the confines of
SUCH State, without mParing and destroying the
rights Oh the states over such subject.
! Doubtless the United States NAV invite pcrhaps
coerce, the Tree population of all the States TO fiji
the ranks oil their armies, TO navigate their fleets
and to execute their laws. All these are objects
winch the constitution expressly authorizes the
United States 10 accomplish; and Which NAV not
be attaInabie without the use of such means But
the people thus taken i'll the service of the United
States Continue the subjects ofthe States from which
they may have been originally drawn. Their
numbers VIII still add TO its ,tical weight while
thcy remain In II; and even when in the DISCHARGE
OF their duties, they may be withdrawn from il.
.fs withdrawal is no; necessarily permanent, nor
IS this the purpose for which the power il given on
eHefteu' although such may be the accidental Ell
| feet resulting from H.
! Before they Ieoy. &c IL