Certified copy of the Preamble and Resolutions of the Legislature of Virginia
Resolutions, viz.
That South Carolina is mistaken in supposing that Congress will yield no
relief as to the acts complained of.
That South Carolina be earnestly requested and respectfully entreated to re-
scind or suspend her Ordinance of Nullification.
That Congress be and are earnestly and respectfully requested and entreated
to modify the Acts laying duties on imports, so as to effect a gradual
reduction to the standard of necessary revenue.
That Virginia expects, and the other States have a right to expect, that nothing
will be done on either side which may endanger the existence of the Union.
That Virginia continues to regard the doctrines of State Rights and State
Sovereignty, as set forth in the resolutions of 1798 and 1799, as a true inter-
pretation of the Constitution of the United States; but not as countenan-
cing the proceedings of South Carolina, or all the principles assumed by the
President in his Proclamation.
That a Commissioner be sent to communicate with the Governor of the State
of South Carolina on this subject.
That these resolutions be communicated to the President of the U. States..381, 334
Correspondence between the Commissioner of Virginia and the constituted
authorities of this State.......
Letter from Robert Y. Hayne, Governor of South Carolina, to the Honorable
Benjamin Watkins Leigh...
Letter from James Hamilton, jr. to Governor R. Y. Hayne...
Report of the Committee on the communication of B. W. Leigh...
Reasons that compelled the State interposition of South Carolina against the
protecting Tariff, and impending Consolidation......
This interposition has been beneficial, by producing the modification of the
Tariff in 1832 under the Compromising Act.......
......388
South Carolina has never insisted on any sudden abolition of the duties on
imports, but a gradual one only....
South Carolina highly approves of the promised reduction of all duties to the
Revenue standard......
Under these circumstances, it becomes the liberal spirit which actuates South
Carolina, to rescind her Ordinance of Nullification...
That Ordinance rescinded. March 15, 1833,....
Report on the mediation of Virginia.....
South Carolina desires to respond to the friendly solicitude of Virginia....
South Carolina has acted on the principles of 1798, 1799......
South Carolina believes that her conduct throughout this contest has been
justified by a fair construction of those resolutions......
Friendly assurances of South Carolina toward Virginia.......
Approbation of the conduct of B. W. Leigh, Commissioner from Virginia.....393
Report of the Committee on the Force Bill of 2d March, 1833.....
The principles sought to be established by that act, are calculated to destroy our
present Constitutional frame of Government, to subvert public liberty, and
bring about the ruin and debasement of the Southern States.......
The act "further to provide for the collection of duties on imports," was in-
tended to counteract the proceedings of South Carolina for the protection
of her reserved rights: and purports doing so by means not authorized by
the Constitution.....
..394
Brief enumeration of the constitutional and legal objections to which this act
of Congress is liable.....
...394, 395
Among other features of this act, it supercedes and annihilates the powers and
jurisdictions of the State Courts.....
......397
The members of the legislature of this State, the Judges, the civil officers,
acting in the line of their duty, may become amenable to the United States'
Courts, and a scene of confusion introduced incompatible with regular go-
....397
The object of the supporters of this bill, is manifestly to introduce a consoli-
dated government.....
It is a continuance of the efforts of one and the same same party that com-
menced in the Convention of 1787, that assumed the name of federal very
soon after the formation of the present government, that have attempted
to engross the power of, the individual states, and interfere in their domes-
tic concerns, that enacted the Alien and Sedition Laws, that introduced the
Protecting Tariff, that denies the Sovereignty of the States, the existence
of reserved rights, and ever points at Consolidation....
It is the government of a majority, with reference only to the interests and
power of that majority. The protective system is a small part only of the
unjust proceedings of that majority.......
Unless some constitutional check can be interposed to stop these oppressions,
we shall be liable to others still more revolting,......
The present is an attempt to raise a party within the State devoted to
Federal interests, exempted from State controul, and subjected only to the
Courts of the United States. It is an attempt which if not resisted, will
reduce the southern States to the last degree of provincial slavery........399
The oath of Allegiance contemplated, has been introduced from no party
views, or to support any party ascendency, or to gratify any party re-
sentment; nor has South Carolina ever sought to endanger the Union,
but so to maintain it, as to render it a real safeguard for public liberty,....399
This contest is not to be given up till the Act of Congress in question shall
no longer disgrace the Statute Book. We must go on therefore without
passion, but without faltering,..................
Since many of the provisions of this act are made permanent, and may be put
in force hereafter, the sentiments of the Convention ought to be express-
ed on the principles it contains and to take care that no Federal authori-
ty unauthorized by our Federal Compact, shall be exercised within the
limits of this State: the Committee, therefore, recommend the following
Ordinance....
An Ordinance to nullify the Act of Congress of the United States, entitled
"An Act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports." (com-
monly called the Force Bill).......
The act in question is unauthorized by the Constitution, subversive of it, and
destructive of public liberty; it is therefore null and void within the limits
of this State and it is the duty of the Legislature, from time to time, to
pass such acts as are necessary to prevent the enforcement of the same,...400
The allegiance of the citizens of this State, is due to the State: Obedience
only, and not Allegiance, is due to any other power acting under authori-
ty delegated by the State,....
..400
The Legislature empowered to pass acts prescribing Oaths of Allegiance, and
defining what shall amount to a violation of the Allegiance due to the
State,...
.401
An Act to modify an act laying duties on imports, passed in Congress, 14th
July 1832, and all other acts imposing duties on imports. (The compromi-
sing Law.).......
After December 31, 1833, all duties exceeding 20 per cent to be reduced by
biennially striking off one tenth of the excess,...
Duties on Plains, Kerseys &c. raised to 50 per cent.
After June 30, 1842, all duties to be paid in cash.
Goods to be valued at the Ports of Entry,... ...
In addition to the articles exempted from duty by the act of 14th July 1832,
certain other articles are hereby exempted after the 31st Dec. 1833,...
Certain other articles to be exempted from duty after 30th June, 1842..
All acts inconsistent with the present act, repealed,....
EDITOR: his communication to Governor M'Duffie,.
Preface to this edition,.....
Reasons for adopting his present plan..
His note on Magna Carta, and its various promulgations..
Runny Mede,..
His remarks on the various acts ceding Lands to Congress,.
His summary of South Carolina doctrines on Federal Relations,.
His note on the jurisdiction of a Convention
His history and remarks on the Boundary Line,..
EXPOSITION and Protest on the Tariff......
FEDERAL RELATIONS. See title "Documents," passim: particularly Pages 210 to 223
GEORGIA, act relating to the Boundary Line between Georgia and South Carolina....
Report of the Legislature on the South Carolina Resolutions of 1828...
Memorial of the State of Georgia on the Tariff.......
This writ not to issue in favour of persons who have contracted to be trans-
ported to the Colonies or Plantations,..
Persons convicted of Felony, and praying transportation, excepted,.
Imprisonments prior to June 1679, excepted,.......
Prosecutions for offences against this act, to be brought within 2 years.
After Assizes proclaimed, no person to be removed but by a Judge of Assize, 122
In suits upon this act, Defendant may plead the general issue....
Persons committed as Accessaries before the fact in Petty Treason or Felony,
shall not be removed or bailed otherwise than as before this act was passed 123
KEBLE's edition of the Statutes at Large of England,...
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