South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-12-19


their duty towards US, prudence will
suggest to you the propriety Of consid
ering the neglect of auch an appeal al
at least possible event.
Isend you herewith an extract from
letter / have received from one &c
whose veracily and intellig ence all
respect is due. This letter accom-
panied package containing a greal
number Of books, tracts, and other
publications, which l have retained in
this department for your inspection.
The letter itself will disclose to you its
own object.
Ia regard to The Federal Govern
ment, so long as il is agreed by all,
that the powers of this government are
limited, not merely by the terms in
which these powers are granted, but
also by the object for the accomplish
ment Of which these powers were CIV
en-, unless the grant of the power to
establish Post Offices can be consider
ed as designed 10 furnish easy means
for the general dissemination Of sedi-
tious and incendiary publications, well
calculated to disturb the peace and
union Of the States, the employment Of
such an agency. for such a purpose,
must be admitted to bs gross per.
version of ito intent. Therefore, the
States whose tranquility is put in jeo
pafdy by such practice, have clear
right 10 demand OF their government,
that it shall adopt the most speedy
aad etfsctual means to prevent. and
punish i, and 90 TO aid in the presaf.
walton Of their peace and welfare.
There is no reason to doubt, that the
officers of the government of the United
States view this subject in the same light
in which it is here presented. But be-
ing mere Executive officers, bound to
execute existing laws, each at his own
peril, Legislative enactments are required
to protect these officers, and to cause the
laws Of the land to conform more exactly
to the spirit and objects ofthe Consttu-
ton. An intimation ofa wish on your
part. that our Senate rs and Representa-
lives in Congress would call the attention
of that body to this subject, and would
propose some plan by which the evil
complained of may be effectually remedi-
ed, win probably accomplish every thing
we ought to desire in this respect. But
to give more certain effect to the express
sion of such wish, l would recommend
that communications be opened speedily
with all the ave-holdlng States, to in
vite their cooperation in any plan that
you may think mos. wise to be adopted,
not only in regard TO the action Of the
Federal Government, but to the sugges'
ted application to our co-States. The
subject is one ofequal interest to them
all, and all should be consulted and Co.
operate in every measure in reference to
1t, which it may become either necessary
or useful to adopt.
Respecting the threatened application
TO Congress TO interfere 10 any way with
our rights of property-as it may be un-
necessary for you to provide at this time,
for any such possible contingency-l
will only say, that while that body is me-
cessarily. the Judge of its own constitu-
tional powers, in the first instance, the
states are made, by the like necessity,
the final arbiters, Of all questions touch
ing their reserved rights. 1t is much to
be desired, that the forbearance OF either
party may ever incline each, to avoid a.
ny near approach to what may ba regar.
ded by the other as limit not precisely
defined. Nothing short OF the most OBJ.
vious necessity can ever excuse such a
course. But, if it is pursued In mere
wantonness, without any pretext OF ne
cessity for resorting TO it, as in the case
supposed, it will become your duty, as
the faithful guardians Of the rights OF the
State, to adopt at once the most ettectu'
al means TO provide for the occurrence,
To enable you to do SO seasonably ! shall
endeayor to obtain the earliest informa
ten in regard to this subject, and viii
promptly communicate to you hereafter
any thing may learn. that may seem tt
me TO require any action on your part.
An incident has occurred Of late, in thu
administration OF justice and in the due
execution of the laws of this Common
wealth. to which, as it may become o
much Importance hereafter, think it ne
cessary to call your attention, at THU
time. A few weeks since, received I
report from the Sheriff of the county 0
Norfolk, informing me, that he had beef
torcibly prevented from performing hi
duty, by one Ofthe naval commanders 0
the United States. Upon the receipt 0
this information. forthwith transmit
ted copy Of the letter of the Sheriff u
the President of the United States. Tn
only reply to this letter | have yet re
ceiyed. is contained in one from the Sec
rotary ofthe Navy of the United States
send herewith copies of the letter .
the Sheriff Of Norfolk to me, of my lette
to the President, and Of that of the Sec
rotary of the Navy TO me. These docu
ments will enable you to see the merit
| of the whole case so far as the rlDht