The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-02
From the Richmond Enquirer.
PUBLIC MEETING IN KING WILLIAM

i,
large and highly respectable portion of the people
of this county assembled this day, it being court
day; the meeting called to order by Thomas w.
s. Gregory, Esq, who in short address explained
the object of the meeting and motion of the
gentleman, Gen. Philip Aylet unanimously called
TO the Chair and DR.. Benjamin d. Nelson appointed
Secretary after the meeting was organized General
Aylett briefly addressed the assemblage, and Mr..
Thomas w s. Gregory presented and read pream-
BILE and resolutions which were unanimously adopted
this meeting composed of both political parties
men who in the late Presidential election on
opposite sides:
PREAMBLE
Looking to the present state of public affairs as a
great crisis and believing that the political attitude in
which the President Of the United States stands
to his country, gives that he will be the
honest and fearless President of the People, and not
the leader Of party-that he will be the faithful
guardian of the Constitution, pressing on with bold
and manly step in career Of public usefulness, until,
by tie aid Of great and enlightened people he shall
have achiered full and complete restoration IF the
Federal Government TO The sound and rigorous
stitutiona principles and practice Of Mr.. efersons
most admirable administration. We now tender TO
him this public pledge of firm resolve to stand by
him, under every circumstance of peril which may
threaten him in the future discharge of his high du-
ties, under the sanction of his oath to maintain the
Constitution OF his country, and in the pursuit of
noble aim to resist all legislative usurpatons
We say to him in reference TO his official We
the late acts of Congress for incorporating
Bank of the United States, Wei DONE good and
faithful serrdnt; !" whilst, at the same time we most
respectfully ask him to review the grounds on which
he has given his sanction TO other measures, of
which consider questionable proprety, and one
of which, TO wit the act providing for distribution of
the proceeds Of the public lands firmly believe to
be unwise, unjust, and involving infracion of the
spirit If not of the letter, of the Constitution. And
for the purpose of more distinctly and emphatically
indicating opinions in relation TO the acts of the
late Federal majority in Congress.
~. ~
ing, That the Constitution of the United States con-
tans no grant of any power authorizing the General
Legislature to pass any act Of Incorporation, whether
for Bank for any other object; that the power to
grant charters of Incorporation is shewn by the
cords OF the Convention to have been repeatedly asked
for and often rejected il is therefore historically
proven that such power is not contained in the Con-
sttuton, either implied or expressed power.
Resolped, in like manner, That the issue Of Bank
or no Bank openly and fairly made before
the pcople in the late Presidential canvass but on
the contrary, it publicly dsavowcd by the advo-
Gates of General Harrison and John Tyler, now Pre-
sident.
Resolred in like manner, That pure Republican
policy is the only safe oil administering the Go
vernment, and the only way by which the great and
beneficial objects Of the Constitution be secured
TO the States and the people, that the practice Of dis
trbutng Federal revenue among the States Is wholly
incompatible with pure administration ofthe Govern
men and the late act for distributing the proceeds Of
the public lands, whilst IT is obnoxious TO the force Of
the above fundamental objections, is moreover CO.
vert and fraudulent measure of ultimate taxation,
through high tariff imposis, by which small amount
OF revenue Is distributed with one hand, and much
larger amount OF revenue imposed and collected from
the people with the other hand That such practice,
whether under the specious pre,txt of distributing
surplus, under the holder latitude power to
the debts of the States to furnish them with the
Of paying OF their debts is alike hostile TO the
great design of the Federal Constitution-an infrac.
ton Of its general provisions, properly construed as
Government created by the States derived from their
undcniebe sovereignty, and amenabe TO them
and il equally reprehensibe in the various aspects oil
economy justice 10 all parties the dignity and charac-
ter of the States, and the morals OF the people
After the adoption Of the above Preamble and Rcso-
lutions, it moved that the meeting proceed
through the Chairman, 10 appoint Commute of five
to when assigned the duty of enclosing a copy o
the above proceedings TO the President Of the United
States; Whereupon, the Chair named the following
Commiliee-Thos w. s. Gregory, James T. Shad
wick Doct. Ayleu Halves, Charles III. Braxton
and Thos. Dabney