Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-10-23

i me InuCD 10 tFrtIVt "PPtaIs 20 my ineIn0ry lot
1 transactions so lar back as that which is the SUD
Zee, OF your letter. My memory il indeed be.
u come ainos, a blank, OF which, no be, ter proof can
probably be given you than ry my solemn pro,es-
fation tina, ! have not The least recollection OF your
intervention between MIR. J q. Adams aud my
elf in what passed on the subject OF The embar-
.. No, the slightest race OF it icmains Ia NV mind.
OF have no doubt OF the exaotitude OF the state
snt in Your letter. And the iess,a | rccolIect The
lseryiew with Mr.. Adams, to which, the previous
COMMUNICATIONS which had past between him and
yourself were probably and naturally the preIilni-
mary. That interview remsinocr well; not
in the very words which passed between
33us, but in their Substance, which was OF a charac.
Ter too awful, too deeply engraved in my mind
u and influencing 90 materially the course ! had to
Iursue ever TO lie forgotten. MIR. Adams called
on me pending the embargo, and while cndeayors
q were making 10 obtain it's repeal. lie made some
4 apologies Tor the call, OIL the ground OF our not be-
a ing then in the habit Of confidential communities.
Y tons, but that which NJ had then TO make involy-
ed 100 seriously The interests OF our country not to
override all other considerations with him, and
make il his duty 10 reveal it 10 myself particular
IS. i assured him there.wss 10 occasion, Tor any
apology Tor his visit, that ON The contrary his COM
munications would be thankfully received, and
4 would add a confirmation the more to nv entire
4 confidence in the rectitude and patriotism OF his
\ conduct and principles. He spoke then of the
dissatisfaction OF the Eastern portion OF our COME
deracy with the restraints of the EMBARGO then
\ existing, and their restlessness under il, That
there was nothing which might no, be ATTEMPTED.
i 20 rid themselves OF II. That ie had information
\ of the most unquestionabie certainty, that certain
/ citizens Of the Eastern States a think he named
Massachusetts, particularly were in negotiation
: with Agents Of the British government, the ob.
4 ject OF which was an agreement that the
4 New England states should take no further par, in
the war then going on; that, without formally
declaring their separation from the Union
OF The States, they should Withdraw iron,
all aid and obedience 10 them; thai their ma
visntion and commerce should be Tree from re-
stiaint or interruption by the british; that they
should be consider ed, and treated by them a. neu-
trails, and as such might conduct themselves TO-
wards both parties; and, at tie'close OF the war,
be at liberty to rejoin The con!ederacy. lie As
"A sIred Inc that there was eminent danger that the
Convention would take place, that the temptations
were such as might debauch many from their fl
deity to the Union, and that to enable it's friend,
TO make head against II, the repeal oil the cmbar-
3 60 was absolutely necessary. l expressed a just
n sense oil the merit OF the information, and of the
4 importance OF the disclosure 10 the safety and C.
ven salvation OF our count y: and, however reluc-
tant i was 10 abandon the measure Ga measure
which, persevered III a little longer, we had sub
scqueit and satisfactory assurance would have eE.
iccted IT objec; completely from that moment,
and influenced by that information, | saw the ne
Scessity OF abandoning it, and in-tead OF fleeing
tGir purpose by this peaceful weapon we must
tight 1t out, OF break the Union. ] then RECON-
f.nended TO my friends TO yield 10 the necessity of
n repeal OF the embargo, and to endcavor to supply
its place by the best substitute in which thew
~ Couiu procure d general concurrence.
1 cannot too often repeat that this statement is
81 not pretended TO be in the very words which pass
ed; that it only gives faithfully the impression re-
< manning on my mind. The very words OF a con
versation are too transient and fugitive TO be so
long retained Ia remembrance. But The substance
was too impoi tant TO be forgotten, not only from
TIE revolution OF measures il obliged me TO adopt
but ALSO from the renewals OF it in my memory on
the frequent occasions l have had of doing justice
20 Mr.. Adams, by repeating this proof OF his fidel-
ity to his country, and OF his superiority over ali
ordinary considerations when the safety OF that
was brought into question.
With this best cxertion OF a waning memory
which 1 can command, accept assurances of my
constant and aiiectionate friendship and respect.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Monticslio, Dec. 2S, 1925.
"fo w. B. GILES, Esq.
EXTRACT.
Dear Sir-''I see as you do and with the deep
est afiiction, the rapid strides with which the fede-
raj branch ofour government, is advancing towards
the usurpaiion oil all the lights reserved to the
States, and the consolidation in itself, of all powers
foreign & domestic, and that too, by constructions
which if legitimate, leave no limits 10 their pow
er. Take together the decisions ofihe federal court,
the doctrines OF the President and the mIsconstruc-
ttions OF the constitutional compact acted on by the
Legislature OF the federal branch; and il is but too
kevident that the three ruling branches OF that de-
partment, are in combination, TO strip their col
xIeaSues, the state authorities, OF the powers reserv-
ed by them, and 10 exercise themselves. all func-
tious foreign and domestic. Under the power TO
regulate commerce., they assume Indefinitely ", that
ALSO over agriculture and manufactures; and call il
regulation too, to take the earnings of one of these
branches OF Industry, and that too, the most depress-
ed, and put them into the pockets Of the other, tha
most fourishing OF all. Under the authority TO es.
establish post roads, they claim that OF cutting down
mountains, for the construction of roads, Of digging
canals; and aided by a little ~sophistry on the words
general welfare" a right to DO, not only the acts,
4 20 effect that, which are specifically enumerated
and permitted; but whatsoever they shall think, or
pretend, will be for the general welfare. And
I'll WHAT our resource Tor the preservation OF the
constitution Reason & argument? You might as
well reason and argue with the marble columns
III encircling them. The Representatives chosen BY
Curseives?-They are joined in the combination
some from incorrect views Of government, some
from corrupt ones, sufficient voting together tc
out number the sound parts, and with mdjorilies
of only 4, 2 or 3, bold enough 10 go forward in
defiance. fire ie then to stand to Our drmS7'
Il few words are hero omitted, relating merely
10 an individual.
"No that must be the last resource, not 10 be
though, of until much longer, aud greater suff.r.
iDgs. IL every infraction OF a compact of so many
parties, is to be resisted at once Dc a dissolution q
IL, none can ever be formed which would last one
year. We must have patience and long endurance
then, with our brethren, while under delusion
Give them time Tor reflection and experience o.
A consequences; keep ourselves IN a situation to pro
fit by the chapter Of accidents-and separate f OF
our companions, only when the sole alternative:
left, are the dissolution OF our union with them, oil
submission 10 a government without limitation o
II powers. Between these two evils, when we mus
make a choice, there can be no hesitation; but in tn
meanwhile, the states should be waichiul to note
y every material usurpation on their righis-tO de-
nounce them "a they occur iD the most Prercmpiory
terms, TO protest against them, as wrongs to which