Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-01

AT meeting OF the citizens of Williamsburg, a,
tho Courthouse, pursuant to notice. for the purpose
vi taxing INTO consideration, tho propriety of ap
pointing deputies TO an Anti-Taritf Coiiven.ioS pro
posed TO be held in the city of Philadelphia, l} Sep
tembcr next, Robert Saunders Senr esor: was
called to the Chair, And John NJ Gregory, ssa
appointed Secretary.
The following resolutions were offered by John
Pages esq. viz:
l. Resolved, That while we sincerely rejoice in
the prosperity of our sister States, and ardently
wish that every department of American Industry
Hioy prosper, whether employed in agriculture
commerce, or manufactures, hold it as { funda-
mental principle of liberty, that government ha
no right TO interfere with and endeavour TO rive
particular direction 10, that industry-but that
every freedman has right to employ his talcnts
and labour in whatever way he may deem mos,
conducive to his happiness
z. Resolved, That 'sthe means Of ,co,;r;rr ,,,d
possessing property, and pursuing and oLtainins,
happiness and safety" belong to all men, and that
.hey cannot be deprived OF those means, without
t I own consent, nor can they "by any compact
deprive or dvest their posterity of them
s. Resolved therefore, That all interfarenc. nv
government with the means OF acquiring and
possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining
happiness and safety" is unconstitutional and arbi.
traryJ
4. Resolved, That the present Tariff. which was
not imposed for the regulation of commerce. nor
tor raising revenue only, but avowedly to encou-
age manufactures, and give particular direction
10 the industry OF the country is unconstitutional
D. Resolved That all the States which, Hrm this
Union, are entitled to the aid and assistance the
respect and esteem of each other and that thisfes
Pect and esteem, and mutual confidence, is the best
bond OF union and that when any of the said
states conceives itself injured by the rest its COM
plants should be respectfully attended to- and the
injury redressed; and even when it complains with
out suthclen cause, should be heard with respect
and indulgence.
3. Resolved, That the complaints of the South.
to he Ia
TO be heard, and that the Tariff ought to be so alter
ed as to remove some, if not all of the grievances
OF which the said States complain, and that this
should be done, although the said States NAV be
mistaken In their views of its constitutonality
and IN the degree of its oppression
Z. RESOLVED, That no more taxes should be I'M
posed on the people directly indirectly than arc
necessary for the support of Government; and
that when the amount of taxes exceeds the ne
cessitles otgovernment, they should be reduced
9. RESOLVED therefore, That after the payment
OF the national debt, the present taxes should be
reduced and as the whole debt will shortly be paid
Off, 1t Is time to regulate duties and imposts SO as
meet the necessary wants and expences of govern
nent, and that this is the most auspciou, period
for commencing reduction Of the present tariff
winch Isl by so many of our fellow citizens consid
ered injurious, oppressive and unconstitutional.
D. Resolved, That we approve of the meeting to
DC held In Philadelphia, on the-day of Septem-
Der next which has for its object, the alteration of
t'e said arm and that ----, be requested, and
ing, whenever, and wherever, it may be held
l0. Resolved, That the Editors of the papers in
Richmond and Norfolk, be requested to publish the
proceedings of this meeting in their respective
papers.
These resolutions having been read. a motion
was made by Robert Anderson, esq, to postpone
them indefinitely, which was lost, by a vote of 15
to 2. He then offered u substitute for the resou
tons; declaring that the Constitution of the United
States authorizes the imposition of Tariff for the
protection and encouragement of domestic manu-
tactures-disapproving the proposed Convention
in Philadelphia, in September next-and declaring
1t inexpedent for this meeting, at this time to ex-
press any opinion, to the policy or impolicy of
the Tariff. The vote being taken on the adoption
OF this substitute it was rejected by large aor
ity.
The original resolutions were then adopted by
large majority.
On motion of Mr. Page, the blank in the 9th
resolution filled with the names of Burwcll
Bassett, Thomas K. Dew, James Semple, Richard
Coke, jun, and Robert Garrett--being the same
individuals chosen by the citizens of James City
County, to represent them in the said Convention
Whereupon the meeting adjourned.
ROBERT SAUNDERS, Chm'n
JOHN NJ. GREGORY Se'cy.