Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-01-24

thereupon may be the better understood.
The Message goes on to state that in
structions have been some time ago is
sued from the Treasury to the Revenue
Officers, pointing out their respective du-
ties under the existing laws, SC. taking
notification on the ground professed by
Its advocates, that it was pacific in its ma
ture. Since which time, circumstances
had changed, and, reviewing the history
oft the proceedings in South Carolina, SC.
the President invites the attention of
Congress to certain acts of the State, as
published IN the newspapers Of the State,
OF which, although requested, the Exec
ut,ve had not succeeded in obtaining Of
fetal copies from the proper authority Of
the State. lfthcse acts, says the Presi-
dent, cannot be defeated and overcome
by the exercise of the powers conferred
on the Federal Government, the Consti-
tuition must be considered as incompe-
tent to its own defence, the supremacy
OF the laws is at an end, and The rights
and liberties of the People can no longer
receive protection from the Government
Of the Union. These aggressions on the
authority of Congress, the Message adds,
are moreover absolute, indefinite, and
without limitation; they offer to the Uni
ted States no alternative but uncondion.
al submission. 1t is true, that in their
address to other States, the South Caro-
lima Convention profess to fix plan of
taxation which they would agree to; it is
true also that the Governor of the State,
in his Message, suggests n call of the
Convention OF the States as an alterna-
tive; but it is also true that the condition
on which they "wOuld be willing to ac-
quiesce," form no part Of the Ordinance,
aud, even If these terms were offered in
the same binding form as the Ordinance,
they are so underlined, and depend upon
so many contingencies, and are so OPP
posed to the known opinions and inter-
est of the great body Of the American
People, as to be almost hopeless of at
tainme nt-and the shortness Of the time
would make them impossible, if they
were not otherwise impracticable.
BY these various proceedings, the Mes
sage says the State of South Carolina
has forced upon the q neral Govern
ment the unavoidable duty Of deciding
on the new and dangerous alternative of
permitting the State to obstruct the exc
cution of the laws within its limits, or
seeing it attempt to execute the threat of
Withdrawing from the Union. Both these
purposes, says the message, are revolu-
tionary in their character and tendency,
and subversive of the laws and Of the
integrity of the Union.
The message then enters at length in.
to discussion Of the rights of the Co
vernment and Of the States, &c. and adds
that, in deciding upon the course impos-
ed upon the authorities Of the Union, in
the present crisis, il must not be over
looked, that there is no sufficient cause
for the acts Of South Carolina, or for her
placing in jeopardy the happiness Of SO
many millions of people. TO establish
which, the message enters into recital
Of the alleged grievances, with some ex-
animation of their reality, sc.
The President then adverts to the So
lemn duty imposed by the oath of the
Executive, to take care that the laws be
executed, and examines the extent of the
powers already conferred upon him for
that purpose. Subsequently to the date
of the instructions to Collectors, already
referred to, and to the passage of the
ordinance. information is said to have
reached the Executive that it would be
impracticable for the collector of Charles
ton to preserve the custody of vessels de-
tanned by him, against any attempt to re-
move vessels and cargoes from his custo-
dy. The removal Of the custom house,
therefore, from Charleston to Castle
Pinchney, was deemed a measure of ne
cessary prccaution. From the nature Of
things, however, similar precaution
cannot be observed with respect to the
ports of Georgetown and Beaufort, in S.
Carolina. After recurring TO the various
penal and other provisions of the late
State acts, the message suggests the pro-
lection of the collection of the revenue,
by placing the custom house beyond the
immediate power of the Courts. The
message also suggests the expediency
Of providing by law that the President of
the United States may be authorized to
alter and abolish such of the districts and
ports Of entry, in any State, as shall be
necessary, and to establish the custom
house of any port so abolished, in some
secure port or harbor Of the same State,
sc.
As even these provisions cannot al
WAYS protect the officers of the customs
in the discharge of their duty, the mes
sage further recommends the revival,
with some notifications better adapted
al g. H..