Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-20

magical influence to the words " regulate trade
that Mr.. Adams does to the words "a general well
iare ana we may expect TO find here after, that
the doctrine of I" general welfare, viii be alb
sorbcd in the doctrine to " regulate trade But
here is one difficulty intcrposcd against tile magic
OF the word - trGfe, which Mr.. Adams would
nc; .isvo ;vs..counter The actual words OF the
constitution are the following: .. The CongE'ss
shall have power TO regulate commerce with To-
reign nations. ain@ng the several States, and with
the Indian trbes''
According to the express provisions, Congress is
not invested with the power to regulate even COM
mercc All libi'um. Il has no power, from the ex-
press words oil the Constitution. TO regulate trade
at all; AMI only certain dissertations of commerce.
10 VII: External commerce-commerce with par
ucuiar corpora;ions'' with foreign nations among
the several States, and with the Indian tribes. -
II is presumed, in taking upon himself so high and
delicate responsibility, as to change the prnci =
pies and rules OF nearly 40 years Interpretation of
the Constitution, Mr.. M. would at least have tax
en- care, not to substitute most influential wor,
for another, particularly the actual meaning of
the words are essentially different, and this ie
rerce in their meanings could scarcely be misun-
ders,ood by Mr.. NJ. Some of the loose inferen-
ces he makes from the word trade, would not
be endured for moment, il made from the word
a" commerce, still less from "exernal COM
me &C." Mr.. Ms grea, name may have the effect
oil eNempting him from the charge OF dsingenu-
business, in substituting the word trade' for the
word commerce; but il must be- admitted, that
even ordinary care, would have prevented him
from falling into so palpable error.
1t will not be intimated that the substitution of
the word " trade, for commerce, was intentional
on tie part of Mr.. NJ but he certainly makes the
most remote AMI unexpected Implications, even
from the word " trade", which il cannot be sup
posed he would attempt TO make from the word
" commerce" particularly from limited COM
merce--from external commerce-from commerce
WIN corporations-no. amen ndviluals-sTrade'
Us generic ferm-commerce il n specific term
commerce may be considered as one species of
the genus &c Trade Trade, is cornprehen-
s've--it includes interchanges among individ-
uals within the limits of State, as well as
commerce with foreign nations" Commerce. is
properly confined 10 foreign exchanges.-Here is
seen, the great Distinguishing feature of the pow
ers expressly granted TO Congress, and Of those
reserved 10 the several States and here it is seen
that Mr.. Nj. has opened all the great batteries of
his mind to batter down State flights, and TO intro.
duce the powers of the general govsr nment, into
all the ramiticatons Of the local police of the stats
For, this reasoning by mpl.c tions will equally
apply 10 the whole Constitution; to every clause.
as well as to any one clause. This constitutional
distribution OF powers, between the General and
State governments, being The great ront upon which
the writer conscien'iousiy believes the duration of
our happy federal government, and the right. and
liberties OF man depend, shall receive an attentive
and undivided attention.