The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-02-24
MR.. UPSHURS LETTER.
(APPENDIx CONTINUED
RIcHMoNp, February 10, 1912.


Sin: Yours of the 9Th instant received this orn-
ing, and take the first moment have to spare give
you reply. In your short letter, you request me to
say what opportunities you have had of knowing my
opinions IN regard 10 the value of our Union and
what you understand them to be"
For several years practised in of the circuit
courts of this State, In which you presided My at
tendance on that court regular and | sometimes
attended another OF your courts in the circuit
This brought me often with you and under circum-
stances that produced free and unrestraned express
sons of respective political opinions. In Charles
City, especially, where we frequently met, and
where, too We had usually more of political discus
sion, the hospitality OF az estimabe man brought to-
geheI, under his roof, yourself and many members
OF the bar, al each term of the court | and others
differed with you essentially OF the subject of nuf
cation. We professed what seemed TO to be the
pure State Right doctrines, incucated and maintain
ed by Mr.. Madsons report and resolutions adopted
by the Virginia Legislature at its session of 1899 and
$500. You avowed that YOU too, approved of that
report and of those resolutions and from the argu
ment contained in the one, and the doctrines affirmed
IN the other, deduced the right of State to nuify
act of Congress These differences produced discus
sion and controversy with us. This happened some
times when alone, when but few were present at
other tines it took place in the presence of manv PEI
sons and IL a tavern. Your views were strongly
urged and with great animation The doctrine Of
notification have heard denounced in your presence
as disorganzlng unsafe, revolutionary absurd, and
uestIuCtlFco VI tue CHlOn It's opponents insisted TO
you that it deceptive, and calculated to misead
the People To these various objections to nulifica-
ton, your uniform and unchanging reply when given
in my presence was that it the conservative prin-
cipe OF our Government that It's practical appIica-
ton would be to preserve, and not to destroy the
Union 1t would restrain hasty legislation on the part
OF Congress. But, above all, was an effectual
shield to he rights of the People and the sovereignty
of the States and protected the People of the States
from the aggression and unconstitutional action of the
,l,,t,.
~ measures, which must end in disunion and civil
Y GU uniformly discaimed, whenever | was
present at, participated in these discussions any
wish or design to impair the Union. That
measure, you declared of the last resort, and about
which all ought long and deeply to reflect before
adopted; and should only be resorted to when the
oppressive course of the General Government became
It's fixed policy, and could no longer be endured.
You professed to place high value the Union,
and that its continuance was calculated to promote
the happiness and prosperity of the People, if the
Constitution was administered IN It's spirit and
according the fair Interpretation placed it by its
trainers But, at the same time you avowed that you
placed higher value on the liberty and rights of the
People; and that when, by long and continued Sc
ries of acts, the General Government had manifested
settled purpose to break down The barriers of the
Constitution, and take to itself all power and in its
exercise, TO Cypress part of the country by the
enactment of unequal and unjust laws, TO build up
and enrich another part of the same. then it the
duty of every patriot to resist such measures first by
all lawful means and if these proved unavailng then
by dlsunion.
Such is the general outline Of my recollection of
your opinions, often expressed on these topics
submit ii to you, without any opportunity of correct
ing what have written, under the disadvantage of
several Interruptions.
| your obedient servant
ROBERT G. SCOTT.
To the Hon. ABEL P. UPsHUR,
Secretary of the Navy.