Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-05
FOR TIE E.NoUIRE6

~ =, - FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
SIR:-The acknowledged urbanity of your deportmeni
induces me TO hope, you will favor the public with your
calm Judgment upon one two important points The
situation OF our country, renders it desirable that every
true patriot should relnquish party personal conside
a,ons, and devote the best energies both his heart and
oil his head, TO rescue our people from ruin
In your Proclamation of the Goth Dec this remarkable
opinion reiterated South Carolina insists that the
Constitution of the United States, is a compact between
sovereign States-that creates conederated republic
not hGcing single feature IF nationality in its foun
dGti0n And farther on" That the States are as sove-
reign now as they were prior TO the entering into the
compact-that the Federal Constitution is confederation
an The nature Of treafy"-Ths take TO be the sub
stance OF your creed, set forth on the subject of the
Rights OF the States Had it been promulgated under
the government of the old Confederacy / should have
comprehended the doctrine; but the wisdom of our IA
hers declared that form too weak for the exigences OF
The country; and as Convention was called clothed with
adequate powers TO frame something more LASTING and
wnch might cause the rights and interests of American
cuZehs 10 pc more respected Abroad and better regulated
at home; 1t Is matter OF surprise me- TO hear gentle
man oil your integrity and reflection, countenancing such
sentiments Let it be distinctly remembered that the
Constitution under which we live, as presented bv the
Convention was received by the States, and ratified and
cophrmed with the full force OF their sovereignty becom-
ing as lar as this power could establish it, the set
tied Faith and law of the land. In wisdom each State
yielded portion of its sovereign power that all mig be
the better protected in their ghts. Here is solemn
compact WIN consideration. 1t was agreed 10 in faith,
and the force of the instrument the history of the
umcs show it was considered and intended be- the law
paramount.
And now, Sir, do you really imagine that any State
alter having elnquished the purse and the sword TO
gether with the right to regulate her own commerce
even her Post Office deparnent-can be considered al
together sovereign! Can she be looked upon as onorab
independent and sovereign, when liable to be taxed, by
what then, to her, becomes foreign pG@cr'
Again; III the States entirely sovereign and all and
each independent why does the Constitution authorize
any GENERA" Government-and why are amused with
so expensive toy Congress of Ambassadors and
Ministers, vested with the dignity powers OF the hig
contracting parties, TO hold Conventions and issue Proto
coils alter the approved manner of European Legitimacy
nd Nh,
understood IL would, at the same time he more equal:
or why should the majority OF State, of New York
DC supported by six and twenty voices and Uofes the
strongest the popular branch of our present SYSTEM
when sister State, of equal dignity and right pos
sesses only is the with Delaware IL can.
not be supposed that the men who achieved Revou
on, could have overlooked this inequality or imagined
hat equal powers were lobc governed tremendously by
unequal means. The debates i'm the Convention es
ahs their views upon this point IL there be no nation.
atty IN our present FORM why the three estates 50
essential to the maintenance of all regular governments
PeserYcd and why would not the representation n the
Senate have suliced for all the purposes of league and
treaty offensive and defensive, merely? As natural de.
duction from this method of reasoning i'm the Proclamation
you are brought TO support the right tat State may
at pleasure, annu laws passed by the other three and
wohty-or That minority should rule tte majority Of any
couniTy-a doctrine unknown TO the founders of our 90
vernnen and only recognised where the voice of Inc
people is lost
| wish you to believe me- sir as much opposed IN rom
soidaton you be. desire arcntly to see the ba
lance oil power properly preserved between the Genera
ana state Governments and the rights Of each duly and
ohitbJ BudIucu Dul III cadOur ana honesty
laying aside party prcudces, allow enquire of you
whether these states are in danger of being too
closely bound together of absolutely falling asunJer
On the general right Of qualifications let US consider case
in which the passions Of have not been excited be.
yond their powers Of If one State has RIGHT I,
rescind acts Of the General Government il will not be de
MED that any other State may do the same thing We
have at this time an unsettled difference with Great Bn
tain, on the subject Of North Eastern boundary Il
has been sccns that the mediation OF the King Of HOLLAND
has tailed TO adjust that question 10 the satisfaction of eli
Tier nation and the President informs u.s. that other com
mssioncs are to he appointed goate in the pre-
misses Suppose the wisdom and moderation of Ibis bod,
when assembled, should, by mutual concession form al,
nonourable agreement, satisfactory twenty three Of h,
states, and acceptable England treaty is conclude,
between The two nations, and becomes formal law bu
mane, whose territory is IN question: is not satisfied {,
ycId any thing. She calls COnycnlion and in her soyc
rogn'y declares the act Of Congress 10 be null and void
ana no law Would The twenty three according States
be compelled 10 violate their faith and be driven into
war with Great Britain, contrary that fifth or 10 the sl
Iorl'nVo Of suffering Maine 10 be 10y lorcgr
nose points have occurred 10 ne, SIR, whilst reading
your Ffocl'natiou and you have doubtless reflected
uch on he tenor Of that paper since is publication yot
may now deem Il high tine hat the wise and the good
scu'o cast sway party considerations, and forward
WIN patriot hears, TO enlghten the country tea,
interests and 70 direct its counsels IN honesty
ALFRED