Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-11-05
VIRGINIA ADVOCATE.

| The following leiter copied from Mr..
Jefierson's Works, and written lust af.
ter Mr.. Madison's celebrated Resolu.
tons were adopted will show the ma
turc OF the resistance contemplated by
that eminent Statesman, to what he
considered unconstitutional acts of the
Federal G"vernment.-Naf. Int.
To Wilson c. Nicholas.
A:onticetio, Sept. 5, 1890.
/ "Dear Sir: Yours Of August 3O,h
came duly to hand. II was with great
regret we gave up the hope of seeing
you here, but could not consider the
obstacle as legitimate. l had written
to Mr.. Madison. as had before in
formed you, aud had stated to him
some general ideas for consideration
When we should meet. thought
something essentially necessary to he
said, in order to avoid the interfe rence
lot acqniescence: that q resolution 0r
declaration should be passed Il.
Answering the reasonings of such of
the States as have ventured into the
held ct reason, and that the committee
of Congress, taking some notice, too, Of
those States who have either not an.
swerei at all, ar answered without rea /.
sonmg. 2. Making firm protesta-
ION against the precedent and principle,
and res'rDing the RICH, to make palpa-
HE violation 1f the federal compact
the gr""nl of doing in future wha,ev-
er we might now rightfully do, should
repetItlons oil thes. and other violations
of the compact render it expedient.
3. Expressing in affectionatc ana con-
ciiiatnry language our warm attach
fnent IL union with our sister States
~ tp the instrument aud principles by
which we are united that we are will
ling to sacrifice tn this every thing hut
the rights of seli-governmcnt in those
inporiant poiuts which we have never
yielded, AMI IN which alone We see lib-
cry, safety and happiness; that not
at all disposed To make evefy measure
al error "r ofwrong, cause of sCIs-
sion, we are wiling to look on WITH in
diligence, and to wait with patience TIL
those passions and decisions shall have
passed over, which the federal govern
ment have artiulIy excited To cover lts
own abuses aud cunoeal its designs,
FULLY confident that the good sense OF
the American people, aud their attach
ment to those very rights which we are
now vindicating, will, before it shall
be too late, rally with us round the
true principles of our federal compact.
inns was meant to give general idea
OF the complexion aud topics of su 81
an instrument. Mr.. NJ. who came as
had been proposed, does not concur in
the reservation proposed above; and
from tins l recede readily not only in
,deierence to his judgement, because as
we should never think Of separation
but tor repeated aud enormous viola
iations, SO these when they occur,
will be cause enough of themselves.
"Io these topics. however, should be
added aninadversions on the new pre-
ltensions to common law of the u.
States. proposed Mr.. M. to write you,
but he observed that you knew his SEN
timents ST. perfectly from former con-
terence, that II was unnecessary. As to
the pIeparing of any thing, | must de-
cIlne It To avoid suspicious (Which were
pretty strong IN some quarters on the
late occasions) aud because there re-
mans sill, after their loss, mass of
talents III Kentucky sufficient for every
purpose. The only object of the pres
ent communication is to procure a
concert IN the general plan of action,
as itls extremely desirable that Virgin
la and Kentucky should pursue the
same track OH tins occasion Besides.
now could you better while away the
road from hence To Kentucky, than in
medtat'ng this very sunjec: aud PIE
parlng something yourself, than whuln
p"hody will do 1t better. Tue loss of
your brother, aud the visit OF The apos-
Ne 10 Kentucky, excite anxiety.
However, we doubt not thar his poisons
will be effectuaIly counterw"rked.
| Wishing you apleasant journey and
happy reluru, am wub great and
sincere esteem, dear Sir your Affection
ale friend and servant.
I'll. JEFFERSON"