Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-22
FOR THE EWQULREf
MR.. MADISON'S LETTERS

>
IN support Of the right of Congress TO pass the
Tariff acts.
strange spectacle, methinks, is exhibited in
these letters. ~
An old orthodox apostle Of our own written.
homespun Constitution, methinks, is here seen
decorated in the most fashionable eItterinp. lati
tudinarian livery. o.
II ii should be matter OF Just surprise, that Mr..
M quoting expressly" the words of the Con-
ssitution, should only quote the words of part Of
ciause-to wit: ''expressly" the power to
lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and ex
cises - onYeying the general power, and should
omit the words in the same clause expressly limit.
ing that general Power--to wit: the words, 10
Pay me aco'S d'% f0propide for The common de-
fence aud general ,ceyGre Of tie United States.
but all duties, iinposts, and excuses shall be uni
JOTn throughout the United STATES" that sur
prise will not be lessened by Observing in his mex,
quotation, connected, too, by copu'aive, that he
should not only include i'm his quotation mart onlv
OF the words of the clause but should ID
quote word trade" the most influential and
operative, as being " expressly" in the clause
quoted, when there is no such word in it, nor in
any DINER part OF the Constitution; nor was il ever
intended, that such word should have been intro
duced into the Constitution at all and II II bad
been with MIR. MS sense attached 10 it, as in III.
case OF the power over manufactures in all nroh,
bty, there would not have been found one soli.
.ay VoIe I'D lhe United States in favor OF its aop
ton The quotation is in these words. the now
er to regulate trade: the words found in the Con
stituton expressly" the following: The
Congress shall have power TO regulate Commerce
with foreign nations, and among The several states
and with the Indian tribes" Ii cannot tben he
admitted, that this clause gives Congress the no,,er
to regulate Go trade" indefinitely in words. mean.
ing spirit, or intent-Nor can It be admitted. ,ba,
it gives power TO Congress even 10 regulate
" commerce" indefniteig: either in words, mean.
commerce, is " expressly limited to " commerce
with foreign nations, and among the several states
md with the Indian tribes" This limitation ey,
tends only TO corporations, and not to the power 10
regulate commerce amongst individuals, nor with
IN the limits oil each individual slate This clause
OF the Constitution, amongst others. contains the
cieaTest demonstrations of the means adopted for
carrying into effect the great objects of the Con.
sttution. The means consisted in the es,abIi.b
lishment Of one general, federal rovernmenr
with jurisdiction over general. external oh;an.s'
leaving to the several state governments tbeir
gInai jurisdiction over local. internal objects The
power over external concerns was granted snec;f;
cally 10 the federal government. The power over
m'erha, concerns was expressly reserved 10 the
states, to be exercised by the state governments
The federal government Consequently was entrusted
only with the regulation Of specified external
concerns. IL the state government should fail or
refuse 10 exert the internal powers entrusted To-
them TO their full extent, but permit them 10 he.
usnrped by the gener government, then IL the
iederauve principle obtcrated from our beautiful
system oil government, and with its obliteratfon
Tue last hope for human liberty is gone forever and
one ir'ghtiui, consolidated despotism, must and
will ensue. NV
Onder what fair principle Of construction could
MT. NJ inter power 10 lay and collect land. or
sny direct tax, within the limits of a particnIs,
stste' from the power :" to regulate commerce
run Jofe1gn nuli0nS'" &c. The inference is too
remote TO be visible TO the minds eve even fron
The word "trade," which might extend TO the in
teFnai in'erchanges within the limits of state.
but TO infer the exercise Of such power, within The
interior Of the state, from the power TO regulate
eonineTce-eEternai commerce-commerce with
foreign nations, &c. would seem 10 be utterly in
admissible; because there Is no possible affinity
TOT ch'sc''n o;sGs7risle between the ,oy,er