Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-08-25

Ever and effectionately yours,
TIL. JEFFERSON.
The solemn declaration and protest 81 the Common
,UeaHh Of Vugina, on Me principles Of the Con-
stitaiioa of the United States of Ameriea and on
the violation Of them.
We, the Geneal Assembly OF Virginia, on
behalf, and in the name Of the people thereof,
do declare as follows:
The States in North America which confed-
Grated to establish their independence on the
government of Great Britain of which Virgin.
la was one, became, on that acquisition, free and
independe -, States, and as such, authorised TO
constitute governments, each for itself, in such
form as it thought best.
They entered inio a compact, which is called
the constitution Of the United States OF Amer"
ica,) by which they agreed 10 unite in single
government as 10 their relations with each o.
Their, and with foreign nations, and as 10 certain
other articles particularly specified They re-
tanned at the same time, each 70 ITSELF, the oth-
er rights Of independent government, comprc
hending mainly heir domestic interes's.
For the ADMINISTRATION oftheir FEEDER al branch
they agreed to a2poin', in conjunction, dis
tinct set OF functionares, legislative, executive
and judiciary, in ,he manner settled III that com
pacr: while TO each, sererally aud Of course, re-
manned its original right Disappointing, each Tor
itself, separate sc, Of functonaries, leg ,ative
executive and judiciary, also for administering
the domestic br ancl Of their respective govern
ments.
These two sets Of officers, each Independent
Of the other, constitute thus ,chole OF govern"
ment, for each State separately; the powers as
cribed to the one, as specially made federal, ex-
ercissd over The whole, the residuary powers
retained 10 the other exercisable exclusively
over its particula, Sale, foreign herein, each
TO the Others, as they we're before The original
compact
10 his construction Of government and dis
,ribu ion Of 8 powers, The Commonwealth OF
Virginia does religiously and affec'iona'elv ad.
here, opposing, with equal fidelity aud frolness
the usur3 ation OF either set of func ionaries on
the r,ghlful powers of The other.
Bur the federal branch has assumed in some
cases, and claimed in others, right of enlarg
ing its own powers by constructions, differences
and Indefinite deductions from those directly
given, which this Assembly does declare 10 be
usurpa ions OF the powers retained TO the indie
pendent branches, mere interpretations into the
compact, and dire infractions Of it.
They claim for example, aud have commen
open canals. and eff, Ct other internal improve
ments within the territories and Jurisdictions
exclusively belonging to The Several STATES,
which this assembly does declare has not been
given 10 that branch by the constitutional com
pact, but remains 10 each State among its do.
mesuc and unalenated powers, exercisable
within itself and by its domestic authorities
alone. ,-,.y..
bo and lid n ,c-
trine ;ha, the compact, in auihorising its fede-
raj Branch to lay and collect taxes, duties. i'm
posts and excuses to pay the debts and provide
for he common defence and general welfare Of
the United States, has given them thereby
power 10 do whatevever they may think, or pre-
tend, would promote the general welfare, which
construction would make that, Of itself, a COM
ple'e government, without Limitation Of pow
ers; bu, that the plain sense and obvious mean
ing was, that they Nigh, levy taxes necessary
TO provide for the general welfare, by the vari-
Gus acts of power therein specified and delega-
ted TO them, and by no others
Nor is it admitted, as has been said, that the
people Of these Sta'es, by not investing their
federal branch with all lhe means Of lettering
their condi ion, have denied to themselves any
which may effet, that purpose; since in the dis.
tribution OF these means, they have given TO
that branch those which belong TO its depart
men,s and 10 the ates have reserved, separate
ly, the residue which belongs to them separate
ly. And thus by the organization Of the Two
branches ,aken together, have completely secu
red the FIRST object of human association, The
full improv of their condition, and reser-
we'd to themselves all the faculties of multiply
ing their own blessings.
Willis, the Gener ar Assembly thus declares
the rights retained by the State, rights which
they have never yielded, and which this State
will never voluntarily yield, they do not mean
10 raise the banner Of disafection, or Of separa-
ton from their sister States, co-par,ies with
themselves in this compact. They know and
value too highly the blessings Of their Union
as 10 foreign nations and questions arising
among Themselves, TO consider every iufraction
as 10 be met by actual resistance. They res
pee, too affecliona'ely the opinions Of those
the same rights under the same in
strumen,, TO make every difference Of con>
r.