Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-07
practical measures, destitute Of principles, Of mo-
rails, of justice and of equality.


rails, Of justice and of equality.
Bu' Mr.. NJ deni. the applicability Of tho pow :
er OF the Colonies TO tax themselves, against the
onnpo,eDcy Of the British Parliament, to the
written Constitution OF the VI States, and asserts,
il substance, that that written instrument depends
upon lis own words for lis own Interpretation
whilst, under his new mode Of Interpretation, hs-
almost abandons its own words, and resorts TO
logies, differences, deductions aud precedentS frou,
The must remote and foreign s,rces, as the fashion
aoie, orthodox guides. Hear him ian his l.
words:
:" But the present question Is unconnected VIII
The iormcr relations between Great Britain and her
colonies, which were Of pe cnliar, compile atesi
aud, III several cts, OF an underlined charac-
ter. IL is simple question under he Constitution
OF the United States, whether .sthc power to re-
gulate trade with foreign nations" distinct
and substantive item in the enumerated powers,
embraces the object OF encouraging by duties, re.
suiciions and prohibitions, the manufactures and
products OF the country? And the affirmative must
be inferred from the following considerations"
The reasons assigned in this quotation for the
wait oil analogy, consist in the different relations
between q. Britain and hei colonies, which were
OF peculiar, complicated, and, in some respects,
oil an underlined character Ii there be, in fact no
analogy III the two cases, why introduce the doc
irines III one OF them? IL indeed, il be, az il is
admitted TO be, simple question under the Con-
>tituon OF the U. States, then, why not, as for
nelly, stick 10 the words Of the Constitution
analogies, inierenccs, presidents and deductions,
or even iu'o the shadows of shades, for the best
guides OF interpretatioD?-A{r. NJ then proceeds To
refer to eight distinct Of interpretation d-
vided Tor more effect, into distinct numbered sec
tons: But the writer will avoid the examina-
ton OF the contents Of these ections, until he
shall brst examine some doginacal assertions
iIadc by alT. u. which have created more asto-
nishment on the part Of the writer than any other
of the strange spectacles exhibited in these let
for Ixt
cation, or mental reservation, without even the
least dstrust OF his memory, that the Constitutional
power 10 protect and foster manufactures by re-
gulationS OF trade, has had the uniform and prac-
teal sanction given TO the OVERLY the General
Government FOR nearly forty years, with con-
currence, or acquiescence OF every State Govern
men' throughout the same period. These unqua-
iicd assertions are 80 directly repuGnant 10 every
impression made upon The writer's mind i'm reIa-
ton TO the same subjects, during the same period
tha he cannot avoid marvelling at them much
He Is, at the same time, so extremely reluctant
at eiieving that Mr.. Nj. could have been so long
laboring under false impressions. upon subjects
which ought 70 be familiar 10 him, that the writer
has taken the trouble OF examining into the real
history oil the origin and progress of the claim of
Congress 10 project manufactures, under The pow
or 10 regulate commerce with foreign nations and
among the several States and with the Indian
'rioes; and the result OF his inquiries has most
completely conf med him of the false impressions
iiuniged by Mr.. Nj. Tor nearly forty years. The
writer verify believes, that the general power to
protect manufactures in the sense used by Mr. Nj .
was never set up by Congress till iS23-Nor was
It ever pretended TO he inferred from the power 70
regulate commerce. till 1924 Whereas, when the
ciaiIn TO that power was distinctly brought before
Congress by Mr.. Hamilton, in his report in 79l
II dii not receive the sanction of Cen Washing
ton, nor OF solitary vote in Congress, nor one
congressional advocate. Nor did Mr. Hamilton
tieh set up the claim 20 thai power, "a inferrible
from the power 10 regulate commerce. SSc.-bu,
tue power 10 raise Notwithstanding it simply tc
revenue principle, and limiting the policy Of act
Ing upon the principle within 10 per centum ad
valoren. ="
The next NO. shall contain this impartial histo-
ry, founded on authentic documents. The writer
respectfully invites the best attention of all lovers
OF truth TO this history.
Note--The publication of this No has been de-
idyed by cause beyond the control OF the writer