Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-11-21
r,1t--~-s ss.a..ae-s

should not return again TO witness the remon-
STANCES 81 my constituents insulted and their in
teres's trampicd Upon, unless specially instructed
hy thom 10 resume my duties and that felt GER
tan That they would sustain me in this couysc
tbat considered tie South to he i'll substance, on
this question of taxation, without any Representa-
@n, and the r0Fm might as welt he dispensed with.
recol!ect, distinctly, Col. Drayton, "a well as
seine o,hers oCiny colleague thot this step would;
be wrong but nevertheless, my mind was al
that tnne,so perfectly mad upto adopt il, that il,
T5s as ubrct OF anxious concern with Col. D., Gen.
. iiaync, MIR. M'Duilie, and Mr.. Martin, 20 in.
''ce Inc TO relinquish tins measure for which
purpose they had Interviews with I'VE the sue.
cecding morning alter Our meeting. My great
respect for their opinions. and, trust, no slight
consideration Of the UNPLEASANT situation in which
they might have been placed, if this strong mca-
sure on my part had met with general appreciation
., home induced me TO relingush it. / deny that
submitted any proposition tor the government Of
the conduct OF my colleagues touching :lis sug-
Ecs;ion, which was for the guidance of myself be-
cause IL would have been act a presuirp;on of
which trust l am incapable; besides, il was
Point Of dciicacy and duty, which each member
was 10 settle for himself, although, am free now
10 avow that, without the South makes up its is
sue with Ire General Government by some such
strong act, il Will continue, without any limitation
TO be ,isu!icd and oppressed.
July. Alter asccrtaining that an unanimous con-
currence could not be procured of all the South
crn Members i'll the protest against the tariff we
agreed TO abandon this expedcnt. and on cur re-
turn houic, 10 correspond with each other, as 70
the precise extent of the excitement existing in
our several districts, which would cndeavour
20 alay, until the termination OF the Presidential
question; as we believe that one OF the principal
objects oil the coalition was TO drive the South into
some act of violence, which might subscrye the
election OF Mr. Adams That after this election
was over, we were perfectly satisfied that public
sentiment should take its own direction and If we
found, that 10 our constituents, TO the members
Di the State Legislature, Il would he satisfactory
that VIC should meet at Columbia at the commence.
ment oil its scssion-we would there assemble.
This, however. 10 form a subject for future
adyiscmeut and decision, by correspondence. IL
- not the fact that the object OF meeting at
COLUMBIA was 'io devise some plan OF action for
the State Government but merely TO give 10 the
members al our State Legislature, such informa-
lion OF the chsTace~, bearing and tendency OF the
isiifi as they might desire 70 possess and which
"e might have II in our power TO afford.
Ably. recollcct distinctly, that either OF the
hrs; or second meeting which took place at Gen
Haynes lodgings, some present observed
mat - perseverance il the tariff policy, prohb.
tory system, must lead TO dissolution of the u
nlon--whcn Col Drayton Tc,nar.Scd that this was
gu evil greatly TO be deprecated, which believe
met with universal assent. This, however led to
long and ardent conversation on the resources
OF the State TO sustain herself, which substan.
TALLY made the remarks which MIR. Mitchell has
attributed 10 Gen. Hayne. l certainly did say
that TO the federal government enforcing an un-
constitutional law with the bayonet, il was an alb
surdity too monstrous 10 be entertained. But if
fhey did recruit an army from the looms OF
iac manufactures, 10 force their internal tar III
Gown our threats, that did not believe that our
natural allies in Virginia North Carolina would
permit them TO pass through their territories but
Il they did, had great reliance the spirit OF a
Tree and gallant people, and in the holy enihusi-
asm oil a just cause and il our affairs and FIRE
sides were invaded would have TO meet our
Invaders like men, and had very little doubt we
would react, with considerable improvements
the victories Of the 10th OF June, Eutaw and Cow
my ijariv HE \
81 repToach, now rc-assert it as my solemn be-
lei and conviction; anal ii there is miscreant so
base as 70 accuse me Of treason, because will not
consent 10 depreciate either the spiri: or resources
oi my native State, shall leave hin in undispu-
ted possession OF his peculiar and exclusive pa!ri-
o'!Sin, with comfortable portion of my and
contempt. But that these rema rss were intended
either to urge the necessity, even to counte-
nance the pTopiiety, OF a separation OF the States
j positively deny. no such proposition was con-
sidered, and hence the statement which Mr. Nit
che has given of Mr.. nj Duties opinions is rad
icaIly erroneous. feel authorized, i'm the absence
Of that gentleman, 10 state, tliat, whilst he con-
cured, believe, in most of the sentiments ex-
pressed, he did not say ''that he considered sepa
ration OF the State from the Union" a. the only re-
zledy or that he was prepared 20 all lengths"
ale certainly did remark that he believed a dissou
zion oil the Union inevitable l she Prohbitory Sys-
'em was the settled policy Of the country, and fur
her said that he did doubt the ability OF South
Carolina 10 susiaih herself. He did not cay that
great views, lie would abandon them;'' but he
SAID what was greatly 10 his honor of which |
nave most distinct recollection, that, il his
stiuentS were prepared to submit TO the Infamous
system, which, III effect, making them paupers
and slaves, that they would have 10 ud some other
representative than himself for he could not con-
sent to come there TO be passive witness Of the
insults and expressions which were heaped Upon
,h,Fn.
These are all the material facts which rccollect
excepting one, which is essentially material, tn
during the whole of these conclaves which MIR.
Mitchell represents as a;rociousIy reasonable, I've
appeared TO assent 10 all tlIat was both said and
done. Even at the portentous suggestion which
made oil my willingness 90 10 come hOnHe," not
one word bad nc 70 offer, but cn, according TO his
own showing, the whole task Of quitting il down"
10 my friend Col Drsyton. Whether the rea-
ton subsistng between this latter gentleman and
Inyseli-One of unbounded confidence, and am
proud 10 say, OF uninterrupted friendship, rendered
the putting down process necessary, leave 10
those who know us both to determine. But TO
return; such was the apparent cordially with
which Mr. Mitchell entered into all our feelings
each was the strong desire he expressed that we
fhonld meet at Columbia for further consultation,
that was greatly and unexpectedly gratified by
lis seeming srdor and cooperation.
JAMES HAMILTON, in.
SGEtTat 81 litter from he Hon. John Carter
TO Gen. Il. r. HaVne.
CAMDEN, 22d Oct. 1923.
BiY DEAR Shin compliance with your re-
quest, will state so far IS my recollection enables
me, The object and circumstances Of fbe meeting
20 which you refer, and which held OF your
Lodgings in Washington last spring The object Of
Gle meeting was, that the members of the Dele
cation should freely exchange their views and o.
lruions to the best mode OF counterac;ing in
south Carolina The Injurious effects Of the Tariff,