Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-01-16
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

Jan 10. Senate. Mr. Webster appeared to day. Petitions
we're presented praying for reduction of the duty
lases the duties teas, for indemnity for French spolia
tons prior the year 1900 and for prohibiting the trans
portation of the mail on the Sabbath.
The chair presented the resignation of Mr.. Bateman of
New Jersey, on account Of i'll health also the credentials
of John NJ Clayton Esq elected Senator in the Congress
Of the u. S. by the State of Delaware.
The chair also communicated the protest of the Legsla
ture of the State of Georgia against the tariff of the last
session. demanding it's repeal &c. the document being read
Mr.. Berrien Of Georgia addressed the senae follows
shfr BERRIEN said that the annunciaton made from the
Chair imposed duty his colleague and HIMSELF which with
his assent he would perform, by giving direction with the
sanction of the Senate to the docu ment which had been just
announced willing Sir, [sad Mr. Is to an actso
grave and interesting in its character away with those
every day events which forgotten almost in the instant
their In Order therefore, that may be distinct
presented the notice of the Senate, before submit the
which it calls for will state its purport and avail my
self of the occasion to make very brief remark.
That document sir of which official copy has been trans
mted to my colleague and myself the protest of the State of
Georgia made through her constitutional organs, to this
hy o the of States against the act in al
eatop of several acts laying duties imports passed
session Of the Congress the United States In her
cren character of the original members of this confed
cracy by whom this Government called into existence,
that State protests against this the several grounds, which
which specifically set forth that instrument, attested by
the signatures of e Legislative and Executive functonarcs,
and authenticated under her public seal
Its now delivered this Department of the Federal Gov
eminent, to be deposited in It's archives m peetanrei
,oria to whenever the occasion may require it,
authentic testimony of the solemn dissent of one of the Sovcr
egn States of this Union from the therein protested against
as an nacton of the constitutional compact by which she is
united to the other members of this Confederacy.
II difficult Sir to repress-its perhaps, still Difficult
appropriately express the feelings which belong such
occasion as the present have been educated in sentiments
reverence for Federal Unon and hro life have habu-
ally cherished these sentiments. As individual citizen
therefore, it painful TO recu to that disastrous policy which
has imposed the State which, live the necessity
assuming this relation to the Government of this Conederacy
As of the Representatives on this floor of that State
whose citizens have always been forward to manifest pro
found and devoted attachment this Unionof patriotic
gallant People, who would freely yield their treasure, and
parngy shed their blood in its defence; the occasion
deep and unmnged humiliation, which demands the depo
SITE the Registry of the Senate of this record of their wrong
There may those, sir, who will look to this with nde
onceperhaps with evity who will consider it the
of momentary cyctenentand see, think they in il
merely the eson of mpassioned but evanescent feeling
mploe those gentlemen net to deceive themselves, sui
iect in relation which may be alike dangerous
Forty years of successful experiment have proved the ec
ency of this Government to sustain in all honorable int
course with the other nations of the world Externally,
peace aud in amid the fluctuations of commerce. and
strife of arms, has protected interests, and defended
rights One trial. one fearful trial. yetremans to be made
one under the apprehension of which the bravcst may
ble-whch the wise and the good will anxousy endeavor
/ avoid tits that experiment which shall test the competen
Of this Government to preserve internal peace wheneve
question vitality affecting the bond which untes Pc
plc shall be soemnly agtated between the sovere
IS members of this Conederacy In proportion its danger
should be our socitude avoid it, by abstanng the
h hand from acts ofdoubu legislation, well by the ma
ner ofesistance the other those which deemed
- constitutional Between the independent members of Il
Confederacy sir, there can be arblter They
Of necessarily RENTED to their sovereign will, deliberate
in expressed the exercise of those reserved rights of
ch ty the delegation of which would have been act OF po
suicide The designation of such arbter, was, by
,r force of nvincble necessity, ons among the pro
Is sons of Constitution comforting limited powers, the ntep
w aton of which be conded to the subordinate agen
created by those who entrusted to administer it.
no. eanesty hope that the wise and concilatoy spirit of
Is Govnment and of those of the several States will ospo
airy to period far distant, the day which will summon to
Ids fearful trial If we indeed doomed to encounter it,
earnestly hope that may be entered upon in the spirit pea
and with cherished ecolectons of former amity But the
% cason which shall mpe the sovereign People of even
the members of this Confederacy, resolve that they
bound by its acts to which patriot look with levi
h yet with Indifference Whatever and feemen may
maj avert it, the People of Georgia will do Deeply they
Ra the wrongs which they suffer- they will yet bear and ob
title Though their complaints have been hitherto dsregaded
their have been heretofore set at naugh Il
Mr. will still look with confidence the returning justice of
nre Government
The fulfil my duty sir this occasion, with cherished
lance that justce-wth deep and abiding convict
Of the patriotism and forbeaance Of that people by VIII