Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-01-31

,nents, aud his Proclamation to south |, arn-
lima:
Gentlemen Of the Senate
aud House Of Representatives.:
10 annual message, at the commence
meot Oh your present session, I adyerted Ia
tne opposition to the revenue laws i'm /. mar
ucular quarter Of the United States. which
threatened, no, merely TO thwart their g xrcu.
non' out 10 endanser the integrity of Nh.
'cnsen. And although Z thea Expressed p,,,
reliance that It might be overcome by the pr,i.
aenee OF tho otiicers Of the United States.
ana the patriotism OF the people. 4 stated
that, should the emergency arise. rends r;ns
the execution OF the existing laws imprac,;.
cable, from any cause whatever, pronipt mo-
lice should he given TO Congress. with IN.
suggestion OF such views aud measures a.
might be necessary TO meet IT,
Events which have occurred in tho ouarter
tnen alluded to, or which have come TO NV
knowicdge subsequently, present this emcr r
gency.
Although unknown 20 me al the date nj Tho
annual message, the Convention which as.
semblcd at Columbia, in the State of south
Carolina, passed. on the 2ith of November
last an Ordinance declaring certain acts of
Congress therein mentioned, " thin the Limits
oil that State, 10 be absolutely null and void
and making 1t the duty Of the Le.-isla,ur. IA
pass such laws rs would be- necessary to car
ry the same into effect, from and after the L.,
OF February next. A copy OF that Ordnance
has been officially TRANSMITTED To me by IN.
"overnor OF South Carolina, and Is now COM
municated To Congress.
The consequences To- which this cx,r,or5;-
nary defiance OF the r.st authority of the 60
vcrnment might too surely lead, were clearly
forescen, and IL was impossible for me In
hesitate rs TO my own duty i'm SUCH an emer-
gency. The ordinance had been passed. how
ever, without any ceriaiu knowledge of the
Recommendation, which, from a view of The
interests Of the nation at large, the Execu-
tive had determined 10 submit to Congress
and hope was INDUCED, that by frankl,;
explaining his sentiments, and the nature OF
those duties which the crisis would devolvc
upon him, the authorities OF South caroI;na
might be induced 10 retracc their stems. In
this hope, determined 10 issue NV Procla-
nation OF the 10th December last, n COW Of
which now lay before Congress-
lregret To INFORM you that these reasonable
expectations have not been realized, and that
the severaI acts OF the Legislature of South
Carolina, which ] now lay before YOU, and
which have all and each of them fiualy pass
cd, after knowledge Of the desire of the
administration to modify the laws complained
OF, are loo well calculated, both in their posi-
49, ~s.~N eoaNhhst auu iu tlt spirit OF OpUO@l-
ton which they obviously encourage, wholly
10 obstruct the collection Of The revenue with
In the limits Of that State.
Up TO this period, neither the rccommcn-
dalton Of the Executive in regard To our finan-
cal policy and impost systems nor the disno-
sition manifested by Congress promptly 10 act
upon that subject, nor the uneauirocai ex.
preston Of public will in all parts Of the
onlon' appears to have produced any rciaxa-
tion IN the measures Of opposition adopted by
the State Of South Carolina, nor "A the RI any
reason 20 hope that the Ordinance and law,
will be abandoned. have no knowledge thu,
m attempt has been made, or that il IA IN con.
temptation, TO rc-asscmbie either the Cooyou.
ton or the Legislature and IL will be pe-.
ceived, that the interval before tho lst OF
February h too short 10 admit of the preIimi.
nary steps necessary for that purpose. II an-
pears, moreover, that the State authorities
are actively organizing their military rcsour-
ees, add providing the means, and giving the
most solemn assurances Of protection and
support 10 all who shall enlist in opposition 10
the revenue laws. A recent Proclamation OF
The present Governor OF South Carolina has
openly defed the authority Of the Executive
Of the Union, and general orders from the
headquarters or the State have announced
his determination TO accept the services Of
volunteers, and his belief, that should their
country need their services, they will be
found AZ the post OF honor aDd duty. ready to
lay down their lives in her defence. Under
these orders. the forces referred To are di-
reeted In "hoid themselves in readiness To
take the held at moucnts warning" and
IN the city OF ChaTlcston--wiihin a collection
district, and a port OF cairy-a rendezvous
has been opened for the purpose Of enIistinq
men for the magazine and municipal guard.
Thus, South Carolina presents herself in the
attitude Of hostile preparation, and ready
even for military violence if ncel be, To en-
forcs her laws for preventing the collection
Of the duties within her limits.
Proceedings thus announced and masure.l
must be distinguished from menaces Of I'M
lawful resistance By irregular bodies Of peo-
pie, who, acting under temporary dctusion,
may be restrained b. reelection aud the inilu-
ence Of public opinion, from the commission
Of actual outrage. In the present instance.
aggression may be regarded a. committed
when Il Is officially authorized, and the means
Of enforcing IL fully provided.
Under these circumstances, there can DO
no doubt that Il - the determination Of thc
authorities Of South Carolina fully a. carry
into eject their Ordinance and laws after the
let Of February. 10 therefore Iccomcs my
duty % bring lfs subject % the serious CON
stderation of Congress, IN order that such
measures Is they in their wisdom may deem
~ shall be seasonabiy provided, and tilat u
may BE- thereby understood, that, while the
Government Is Opposed 10 remove All just
cause u complaint, AZ FAR ~ may BE- pFaclt
eabis, consistently with proper rssrd 30 che
interoats Of the community - large, II u. ne
vsrtheless, determined that che supremacy 0l
ne laws shall be sssiafaiaed.
% making this communication. Il appear
~ ne 90 be proper, not only thai should n,
befors you the acts and pFoceodings of so,Itt
Caroliaa, bat that saoslid also fully acqusis'
ysa with those steps which ! have alrsady
eannsa % be taken Tor the due collection a,
ths roVeano, and with my views ~ the sub
toot Ernerally, that ths suggestions which a..
Constitutioa requires me 90 make, IN regart
90 yer future legislation, mag Be better IN
dsrstood.