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'i bat portion of the people nt present exerci- the Kxftcuttve, and the authority of the Jodi*
sing the authority of the Stale solemnly assert nary, which is ‘ to extend to all rases in low
their right to do either, and ns solemnly an- and equity »n-*in^ under the Constitution or.d
nonnee »h**irdeierminat|nn <l.«ioeor tho other, laws of the United Slates, mullein pursuance
In may opinion both p rposes aro to he re* Ittereof/' are the obvious cheeks and the mjimu
gnrdcd us revolutionary in their character and ur!tt»n *>!* puidic opinion. *.viih the ultimate
lendetiey, and subversive of the suprenia y of power ofanieudinerit, *•*«* the salularv and on*
the iawiTand of the integrity of the Union.— ly I rnitat'oim op *ri ttie power* of the whole.
Tii.' r»*«olt of each is the s mie, sntee a Slate ; !fow» v*:r n rnn ha af'egrd '.hat a violation
Representatives of South Carolina in ti.o coun-jof vessels and Ilieir cargoes, which by the ex- jin early abd less civilized limes, it wa8 j nlen
<*il. nriii. Lo to the present | luting lawk they are requited to tune, until the jdpd to mciujle “the aid ui.d attendance of.,'.
shall ho paid, km«hts and others who were houi d to h
rh it is con* • harness.” It includes, the right of aVtJ
cila of the Government. Up to the present j
period, no revenue has heqn raised boyond iho|
neresswry wants of the country, and the an
w laws they
duties to which they are liable
or secured.
i i w'lt'ch, bv an usurpation of power, tho *•
btitutioiiiil authority of the Fedora I Govi
inanl is openly th fie*/ ni.d set aside. •
on!" the form to ho i/ilejn'mlent oft!-., t ui
of fin- ruoii'iiri i»v ihe in-•n**urea o i.k* guveru*
(Di-nt r i t oiled lie otdtgnti* ns of flit? i»ariu*s
if rannoi even he pr« (ended »h it viohHiof,
: run be predicated •>!’ tlu.s ; ine isures
thonzed'expend.turis of ilio Government — jlempluted » degri*" mam of th»l custody is ; wjih arms and military iqmpnicnu, and en.°
„d a* »ouo at ihe burheii ol the public d. bi! iho pro. «sa ol replevin aud that of copios m | braces ehm.es and greater musses of p„„ u i''
removed, iliose charged with the adnmii-tru- withernam. in Ihe Datum uf a dislre-s irom Ihe . lion Ilian can he compelled by (he law. ,'c
on have promptly recommended a co’rrespoii- Slate tribunals organized by llie Ordinance-, j most of llie Slnlea lo perform militia duly. i-
Agaiftsi ll»v proceeding in the nature ol a j the principles of tlm common law are reeo *
distr ms it is nut perceived that the Collector zed in zj. Carolina, (and from this act it wo n
can i aurpo-*u any reaistariee wlmtever ; and j ceem they are) the powers of Huinniornii.» ti
against the process of replevin authorized l>y posse umUnlus will compel, under the pei^
The right of the pcnplo of a si »*iate to j the (boisiituiional rcrtnulu**
non
l ding reduction of revenue.
| Thitt this system, thus pursued, his rcsul-
I ted in no Midi oppression upon South Carolina
I oei-ds 1,0 other pf«m< limit the and «. . . . ,,. M
nd all jcial de. I iratton uf the life G'h.of Magi-tra'e the law oitne State, he, having no common j ally of fine and imprisonment, every man o v
ue. ! law power, cun only oppose such inspectors j the age qf fifteen und able to travel, to i ^
sha'I have been i of that State in his address to ilio Legistatuie.
nhsfilve themselves at will, and without the folly tried. If the Federal Government < v*
consent of the other Stritcs, from their mo-t , erej«** powers not warnu'ed by die ( on^ii'u-
h'dmn obligatioiiM, n<i<J hazard the lili* r’ii'S mnl. lion, and immediately ufleeting iml.v .d » *i*, it
happiness of the millions composing this Union will se.irei-lv he d *nu»d d» it the or»p -r remedy
cannot ho acknowledged. Such nu'honfv i*» is the r •sourge to too .1 .d.-hary.
believed to be utterly repugnant, both d iiie |d r mhicdly, is tli« remedy for th»»<
principles upnn which ihe General Govern-iI»h nets of f’ongress laying duties on imports
nun I is constitulcd, and to the otijects which amJ providing f r their collection '»> he on
it was expressly formed to attain. j siir.itiooal. Thu uimle operat
j in in.it ho nays, tiiat “ me occtnrci
neen of the ius he is by siaiulu auilmrized, ui.d m.iy lind out at the cull of tbu Sheriff—aud with suei'
isi your, in connection *ih our domestic | it practicable to employ 5 and these from the weapons as shall bo necessary; and u '
are to t,« reviewed with a sentiment j information already adverted to aro shewn to - justify beating and even killing suehas U \J
rMtiitudulu the great disposer of hu* be wholy inadequate. The respect which j resist. The use of the posse comilaftis is then/
Suet on- i man events; th.it tributo* of grateful nek now h-dg- ! that proce-.t deserves must tberoforo be con- ^ fore a dirwcl Hpplicatimi of force, and chiwm
u !?o doom merits are doe for various and oioltiplied hies- isidered ^ | be otherwise regarded than as the employn)cu|
sings he In-* bcoii ph ased lo bestow 011 our ‘ ,f *'- “*** 1 *• - r n '* ' * tUn ‘" u 1 1
(>i!ii|il.. ; ibtti ab.ind 1 ui luu-voiil
I'.'r ol' i!m -iiuie buvo rrownud *!ic
-uf".
if.Hivi
nhs.il'ilt*ly |ir-
I'liimt all nol. u hmli mav In* n!l(*:;o f l lojaw. is on-tri it.
IrafUOi-nd the rnnsijirli. nn! pn-.v.-r of Govn-n. ; nn'r.-!m<l : a
ilH'i.l, or which may In* i.iroiivoiiient or o;> .Trom lav imj imposis or Ju'ies on urorn or
jiros-ivn in thoir omw-iiion, iho (-nnslilniion it- i vj.uri-. uitl-.uiil ll»o ronsonl of (’- n :ross, amt
f. if baa jirosrribr.l tl.e iiioiloa of ro<!ri**a. Il is rnnooi boooinn a jiar'v orob-r 'bos., i uvs, vv.Iii-
lh« a'.Unn»!..(lgnil allribulo of free insliiolions, i mil joi|i .r'ir.f. i-i li'-r own namo, or m n^fullv
liial iia-1-?r (iiiam the emniro of roaaonand law ia .iniproosin. bar a.niiorilv ana: ist ib.-.u. II .
Mihslilutcd for llie ti.nvrr of llio annul. T" 1 ihoa inlorposilio booevor. alia rinmol ijo!i|f,j|jy
n.i oibnr aouroe caa iripoala fur auppo-ml jobair’iol iho noor-ilioii of llie laa
avronjia bo mada cnnsiaionily »vii!i iho obbo-a- viilnnla. For lluor diaoba.iu.iioe In r.r ' .
tiona of Sotiih Carolina ; to no oilier e.iri aui-b I ijoo of il-.o ! i'vs.iiif. ordinary romadiaa ibroup!
sipprala bo mado will, safely ol aay limp ; and ijudirial Inl, ma's v .aid r.j a i: t. \od.
lo liioir dori.ion. when constitutionally or
Honored, it bet’ornrs li.n duly, n i h-aa of iti
piiblio aulhorilios than of tin* people in ov
ca.c, lo yield a palrinlic submission. ja F'a'o, wliieh home 'rironsijio!!!
T'.al a Stale, or any oilier "real norlion of|ibnreforo be reaaril-'d i J noil aod
ihe people, m.florinR under Ion" and inbdern- j law of a Siuie cannot aiillio'ir.o I
Ido oppression, and having tried all co-jsiiiu- Isi-.ii of a erimo a" lirist the Uioie.i
opt-rso" liielol aerieuli.iral labor; that lie
If llie authorities of South Carolina had (of Ihe whole nnjilia of tho country, and
i every ipiar i not obslriicied trio legit,malo u el inn of Iho equally eflieient form, under a dilTerani iVaiu!."
ic exertions I Contis of ilia Uuilud States, or il they had | No prueuediii" wiiieh resorts lo ibis i«nij r
lealili. almost ha- I pornutled llie Stale tribunals lo adrninisier j lo Ihe extent emitemplnted by llie act, chi, f,?.
y,,,,,) j- , procedeui. has bh sst .1 iiurlimnes ;! Iho laws according to (heir oath under the Con* i properly denominated peaceable.
■ mi (b it tin-re is noi less reason for thankful- slilulion, arid the regulations of ihe laws of The act of South Carolina, however, daei
less in surveyin'; our social eonditem.” Il tlhe Union, the general government might have j not rely altogether upon this forcible remedy
•voiilil,indeed,he difikub lo imagine oppression , been content lo look lo llieni lor mainiuining For even (iilenipling lo resist or disobey
iv. in llie social rendition of u people, I ihe custody, and to cncoun’er the other in eon* I ihougli by ll.o aid only of the ordinary efliiV,
| lliero was equal eaiiso ( f tlianltfuihioss us for j veniem os arising oul of the recent proreo- j of the-customs—the process of lepleviu, p,*
i ahiiiidmi'i li.irvcsts nml various and m slliplitd | dings. Even in dial ease, however, the pro- > collector and ull concerned ere subjected lo •
it.di- 1 b!os*i"gs vvnii wiiieh a kind Providence had | cess of replevin from llie Courm of the Stale I further proceeding in the nature of disstros, „f
| favored them. | would be irregular and unauthorized. Il liarjiheir personal ell’-ets, and are nnircove
Independently of these considerations, il! Iieon decided by llie Supreme Couil of the i made gmiiy of» inUdeineaiior and liable to h"
•ape ob.s,tv.,lion, that South Car- j United Slates, that the Courts of lli-i United ! punished by line of net less Ilian one tlimisn n j
ia else win* re an Individ aal *li o.il.i lie ithsuci- | otiiia si ill e laims lo bu a component part ol the | Si ales have exclusive jurtsda-lioti r.l all se
in trie national conn- zurcs made on land or water for a breach
nor inure limn five thousand dollars, and n,
lb" 11. (] f„, nay ofTeneo against the laws, he coni I j Urnna, aid lo participate in the national conn-1 zurcs made on land or water for a breach ol | imprisonment noi exceeding Iwo years nor l tgd
very | set up. in jusifieati if ins net, a law of nils, and to share in Ihe public benefils with- the laws of llie United Slates ; and any inter- j limit six mnmlis.nnd for even attempting losxe*
il. would j out
•oul. Tile j a-s
e euiumis
Stales, ii
ir,Inning lo the public burthens ; thus , ventiun of a Stale uullmrily, wliieli, by taking ! cule the orders of the court fur relaltmu
,1:1.-. in III.
mid In
larerne
lawful, j
inig the dangerous nnomalv of evinlmuing
assorialion vvillioul acknn.vledgmg any
uibur nldigaiion to Us laws Ilian vvhal depends
uoon in-r own w ill.
led Sluies officer, might obstruct llie exert iso
of this jurisdiction >a unlawful; that in such
ease the Courts ofllio United Slates having
tiou.ll remedies without the III.;ia nf redress, janv mher net, vvh
may have n nalnr.il right, when ilieir bo|nuiii*ss j la v of ihe Union , .
cun be no oilier wise secured, and when lliey. \..d it is equallv clear, 11. il if lucre he any | Government seems to he plain—-il inculcates i delivery of tho thing by attachment or other
can do so without greater injury to others, lo case in which a Stale, a
absolve themselves frnoi their iiMiga'ini
Iho Government and appeal lo il.c la-1 r-
need noi, on the present oeen-ion. be denied
The exislenee of this right, however, mm
In this posture of nfTiirs, the Holy of tho - cognizance of the seizure may enforeo ii re-
ivermncnt seems to be plain—ii .uciilcales! delivery of tho thing by attachment or oilier
ale. us sorb, is afTeeled by I « reregmiion'of that Sinte ns a member of ihe j summary process; that Ihe rpisti.m und.'i
lo l|ho law li..yond the scope of j .du’ial power,! Union and subjec t to its authority, n vinciica-1 such a seizure whether a forfeiture has been
-I. ; die remedy consist* in appeals in the people 1 mm of ihe just power of Ihe Coosiii.iiion, Ihe ucluaily meurred belongs exclusively lo the
llie represenlnlion,! preservation of the integrity of the Union and ! Courts of the Untied riiaies, end il depends
i0 execution of Ihe laws by all constitutional on the linnl decree whether Iho seizure is lo
culler In effect a change
it in procure r- li. f l.v in
iTid.nenl of |h.-
dep-nil upon lha causes which may jus'ifv its j Con-Tilulio.t. I'm ihe measurs of ihe G
exercise. Il is ll.e ultima rniu>, which pre- jernmeirl are to be recognized as valid, and
supposes that the proper appeals lo all Ollier iconsequently supreme, tinitl llieso remedies
».,v- menlvi*
pans of redress have been made
tsitll, and which can nev.-r be rightfully res,Ti
ed In unless il be unavoidable ll is not the
d | shall have l.een i ffeiTiiallv ir.rd: and any
allempt lo suliverl those measurs nr lo render
:h" laws sulioid. mm to Slate nmlieritv, and
right of tho State, but of the individual, tied of, nflerw ards to resort In eunstiiuliunat redrcs>
o'l the individuals in the Stale. It is th
right of mankind, generally, lo secure by
i worse than evasive.
Ii would uni lie a proper resistance
In
| be deemed rightful or tortuous ; nod that
i'lie Constitution, whirl) his onth of odlco j until ihe seizure he dually judged wrongful
and without probable causo by iho Courts of
llie Umitd Stales, can ihu parly proceed nl
common law for damages in iho Slate Courts.
lint by making il “ unlawful lor any of llie
constituted aulhuriiics, wholber of the United
obliges him to support, deelars that Iho Exe-
< •'shall hike care that tilt laics be failll'
fully executed," and, in providing that lie aim!
from tune to lime, give to Congress informs,
lion of Ihe slalo of Ihe Union, and recommend
to thoir consider.ilion such measures ns he I Slates, or of Ihe Sidle, to enforeo the laws for
hull jmlgo necessary and expedient, imposes the payment ol duties, ami declaring tlint, nil
means in ihelr power, the blessings of liherl v | gormiment of unliniited powers*'—as has been j ihe additional obligation of recoin mend tog to J ju literal proceedings w Inch shall l)o hereafter
and happiness ; bul when, f>»r these purpose
nnv body of men have voluntarily nssoeiaif
4hem*cl'.'os under n particular form of jjovei
sn-'nt, no portion of them caa dissolve the a
Smhalion, without ac!;aa vtedgeig l ie rnrrel
ative right of the remainder tu decide wipu 1
cr that dissolution can he pcr-nitied, ecus'
tenlly with ill" general In apmess. I \ ;h
view, ii is a right d -pcndenl upon to power
enforce it. .Such a right though il muv bn n
milled lo pre-r.\i.sl, and cannot be wlmllv n
rendered, is necessarily suhj -et to hnr.iali u
in all free goveriimpnls, ami ii ..i - .
i, ! sometimes ureie id.-d,—but milowful opposi
d linn to llie very limilnlinns i ll wliieli tho hap*
i* > o.i*iii*.us n.'liun of Ihe government and all its
j. parts, absiiliitidv depends, Suuili Carolina
i I has appealed to imiie of these, hat, in effuel,
; ha* defied iItem nil. While ihrealuing lo cep-
s.israie from the Union if any attempt lie made
is lu enforce ihe revenue laws ollierwiso Ilian
lo Murieifi'.i ip,, civil irihimuls of ihe. eounlry. kIiij
i|,; I. is noi nnlv not apep iled i-i her own name to
r- 1 111.is,i irihiiuals which th
■ - .; led fur all eases
Congress such inure efficient provision for ex
editing ttie laws ns may from tune to liinu ho
found requisite.
Tito same instrument confers on Congress
tho power not merely to lay and collect taxes,
duties, imposts and excises ; to pay the (ictus
and provide fur llie common defence and gen
eral welfare ; but “in make nil laws which
sliull he necessary and proper for carrying in*
lo effect Iho foregoing powers, and all niher
i ConHiiimion has pro* j powers vested by the Constitution in iho Gov*
equity nrisiug 1 eminent of the United Sluies or in anv dnpnrl-
er tho Cunsiiiulinn and laws nf the United merit or officer thereof,” and also to provide allow uii appeal or permit a copy of their ro-
is by
the raven
Ihe
kiiuis freely and vnlunlHr.lv ctilered and [ Suites, hut has eudeuvour
in which Iho interest and welfare of the iu.l.-1 proper aeliuu on her cihy.i
•vidiial becomes indenlified with lhn.»n of tbc | rnguiz.incu nfr.-isi s m.iln
rnmmunily of which h« in a member, lull" her own ti iliuiuils, spe
s-iimpacte between individuals, howev. r d-ep- J lilted fur tho purpuso nf enforcing the net
Cy they effect their relations, the** principles | passed by the Sia'n In ohslruel those laws,
ore acknowledged lo creiili) a saeri (1 ohliga- land Imlli judges uf which will he hound liy Ihe
tion; and, in eouipuew „f , jv;) governmenls, i import of oaths previously taken, lo treat the
involving iIms liberties and happiness of millions! f onMiuilion and laws ofllio It nil ml .Siales in
of mankind, ll e ebligalmn cannot be less. j Ihi 1 respect as a iiulhty. Nor has Ihe Stale
Without EeV iting lo the p.iili.-ul.tr then- inadc llie proper eppeal to ptihhc npininii nod
iriea to winch the ts-.lerul I iimpitcl h.is given j lo llie remedy of mm-iiiloieiil. For willmiil
rise—belli as In ns forinatioii and die parlies j wailing to learn whether Ihe other Slates will
lo il—and without enquiring whether il be! consent to a Convention, or if limy do, will
merely federal, or soeiid, or n.a'ional. il :s stiffi | eimstrue or amend llie Consimnjon lo suit her
swenl that il mu -1 lie niimilled lo ho s enoipiil, j views, him has of her mvn noihunlv al'ered
end lo possess llie ■■bligaiieus uieiduul in ■■. Iho impert of lliul insirunienl ami given inline,
pnmuact ; In bo a 'ini|Mcl by which power is ; illale eff.iel lo 'lie change- III line, she has
•created on llie one linnd, and olmdicnee e\ae i set her own "ill ni dauihnrhy nbnve llio laws,
led on the oiler; a compact freely, vnlimtn.j. j ha* iiiaile herself at luier in her own ea-c, and
ly, and solemnly entered into bv the several i bus passed nl mice uv*T all iiiieriuedi He slops
Slates and rulified by Ihn jmnplo then of re I Pi measure cf avowed re-istnoec, which, un-
■spe liveli ; a compai'l l.y wlueli the aeytr.t!' less lliey.lu* suhimticil lo, cun he cuiorccd on-
tilalcs and the people thereof respectively, j *y by the swonl.
Imvo hound themselves to each oilier and lo! In dei-olmu iqiun the cuirso which n high
the federal governnH nt, and by which the fi d- j sense of d ny in all the puoplu of Ihu Umiad
srral gover.iraenl is hound to llie sever.il Stai.-s I Slates i • pose upon ihu authorities ofllio U-i*
and lu every citizen of die Untied Stales. To I ion, in this emergency, ii cannot lie overlook*
this compart in whatever mode il may have 'ml dial lliero is no suflieient cause for the nets
iiuta l!iiur| lor calling forth iho militia for executing the
hud hi affirmance of conirucis made with pur
pose to secure the duties imposed by Ihn said
acts, are and shall ho held utterly null and
void,” she has in ( ffui.T abrogated tho judicial
tribunals williin her limits in Ibis respect—ha-
virtually denied die United S'utes arress lo
Iho courts established by Ilieir own laws and
declared il unlawful for the Judges lo dis-
charge those duties which they are sworn lo
perform. In lieu of these she has subsliluled
tbii-o Slate tribunals already adverted lo —the
Judges whereof are not merely for bidden In
laws of the Union. In all eases similar to
die present, ihe duties of tha Government bo- Jot*South Carolina; and, thus deprived of tin
ilv prepared nnd cornu the measure of its powers; nnd when- funtTioi) essential lo ihe judicial chariiel'T, of
ever il fails to exert a power necessary and inquiring into the validity nl tho law mid the
proper to die dischnrge of dm duly prescribed rigid of llio matter, become merely ministeral
been done, the people of South Carolina have . "I Souili Carolina, or b r her dins placing in
freely nnd voluntarily given Ilnur assent ; and jeopardy Ihu happiness of so many millions of
lo ths whole nnd cverv part nf it, thev aro up.! i*u"ple. Misrule nnd oppression, to wainiui
■on every principle of good faith, inviolably dm disruptjun of die free inslpiilions of the
hound. Under this oblignlien, lliey are limuui. Union o| iIiomi Slates, chniild he grent nnd
nnd should be requ.r, d lo onutribufe their pur- lasting —defying ail other remedy. For cause
lion of tho public expense, mid to submit lo nil 1 "I minor etiarneier, die Government could not
laws nude by ih i common consent, in pi.rsu* .submit lo s.:<-!■ a catastrophe, without a viola*
nnce cf tho Cuusiitutinn, for iho eoiniii»u de- i dmi of il* most snrred ohligaiiuns lo die oilier
fence and generul we.lt’nrc, until ihey can bo I Slnie* of ll.o Union w ho Isuvu subuiillud Ilieir
phttr-ed in llie mode w hich the cnnlpiiet has I destiny lo its bauds.
provided for tile attainment of those great ends ; There is, m dm | resent instance, no such
of the Government and uf the Union. No-I cause either in the degree of mtsrulo or op*
thing less thnn causes w Inch would justify rev-; pressmu cum T.iim.d nf or in die hopelessness
olulmnary remedy can absolve the people from jul rediess by cimsiiiuiional me ms. The long
this obligation ; and fur nothing less can the ■nm lmii they have received from tho proper
Government permit il lo bo done, Without vio
lating ils own obligation ; by which, under the
compart il is hound lo the other Stales aud to
every citizen **f llir United States-
authorities and from the people, not less than
tiiu nneximpled growth und increasing pros
perity ol so many ntdlnms of freemen, nliest
that no such oppressions ns would justify, or
Those deductions plainly flow from the nn- j even palliate such n resort can he justly tnipu
turo of tho federal compact, which is one nf|ted eiiaer lu Iho prosent policy or past mens*
I mitatioiis, not only upon tho powers or-gin-j urea of ihe Fed. ral Government- The same
*lly posie-ed by tiio parties thereto, lint nlso Imode of rnllerlmg dunes and for tlm same
upon those conferred on the Government, and]general objects, wliieli began with die founda-
every depsrlinonl lh‘reof. It will be frei ly i 'ion nf die Government, nnd which has con-
conceded that by Ihe principles of oer oyslem ducted die country through its subsequent
ull power is vested irrtlie people, |>ut to tio ex
ercised in the inode, and subject to die chuck.
which the people themselves have prescribed-
Tlieso checks are, undoubtedly, only different
modifications of iho great popular principle
which l es at tlm foundation of llio whole. Inn
aft) not, on that account, to be less regarded
or less obligatory.
Upon (be power of Congress, the veto of
steps lo ils present enviable condition of Imp.
p.ness and renown, has not been changed.—
l'nxntinn nnd representation—Ihe grout pi in -
riple of the American Revolution—have eon
ii.-i.ud.y guile hand in hand ; and at all times
aud in every instance, no tax of any kind has
been imposed without the participation—-and
in some instances which have been complain
ed ol with die express assent of u part, of the
by die Constitution, u violates the public trust
noi loss than il noidd in transcending its pro
per limits. To refrain, therefore, from the
high and sohllcti dirties thus enjoined—how
ever painful die performance may bo—and
thereby tacitly permit the rightful authority
of die Government to bo contemned and ils
laws nbsirueled l.y a single State, would nei
ther comport with its own safely nor the rights
ofllio great body of die American people.
I "being thus shown lo be llie du'y of the
Exeifmive to ex-cute llie laws, by all omisii-
luiional means, it remains lo consider dm ox-
leut of those already nl his disposal, and ivliat
may ho proper further lo provide.
In the tnstiiiedoos of Ihe Secretary of the
Treasury to Iho Collectors in South Carolina,
the provisions nnd regulations made by ihe
net uf 1799, and also the tines, penalties and
forfeiture* for ilieir enforcement, are particu
larly detailed and explained. It may bo well
apprehended, however, that these provisions
may prove .inadequate to meet such an open,
powerful organized opposition r.- is to be com
menced .nlier iho 1st day nf February next
Subsequently to tbu date of those inslrue.
lions and lo die passage of llio Ordinance, in
formation Inis been received from sources cn-
tried to bo relied on, that owing to tho popu
lac excitement in die Slide, nnd Ihe effect of
dio Ordinance, declaring the execution of the
revenue laws unlawful, n sufficient number of
persons in whom confidence might lie placed,
could not bo induced lo accept the office of
Inspectors, to oppose with liny probability of
success, tiic force which will no doubt be us
ed when an ntlonipt is made to remove vessels
and cargoes from the custody of the officers
of the C ustoms, nnd indeed (lint it would be
impracticable for (tie Collector, with the uid
of any number of Inspectors whom he may be
authorized lo employ, to preserve the custody
agnu-si such nn attempt.
The removal of tlm Custom House from
Charleston to Castle Pinckney, was deemed
a measure of necessary precaution; and
though the authority to give that direction is
not questioned, it is, nevertheless, apparent,
that a similar precaution cannot he observed,
in regard to the Ports of Georgetown and
Beaufort, each of whirl), under the present
laws, remains a port of entry, and exposed lo
the obstructions meditated in that quarter.
In consid ring the host means of avoiding
or of preventing the apprehended obstruction
to tho collection of the revenue and the con
sequences which may ensue, it would appear
to be proper and necessary to enable the offi
ho thing seized out of tlm bauds of tho Uni- j properly, the tnarslml and all assisting would
1 n ’" u ‘ ■' - be gniliy of a m sd.-iimanor and be liable to a
line olnot less thnn llir-e Ibousuud dollars m.r
ni ne than ten tliousa id, nnd to imprisonment
not exceeding two years nor less than ono •
and in ease tho goods should be retaken under
such process, it is made llio absolute d utv
of the tilieriff lo rnlahc them.
It IS not to be supposed, tint in tho fuco of
-.iiuse penalties aided by llie powerful forco o
Ihe country, w l.u h n i.i doubtless he biotighi t
sustain the S.tule officers, either lliul the col.
lector could retain the custody in the lirsl
stance, or lliul the marshal could sainniun
sufficient aid lo leluko llie properly pursuant
lo llio ordpr nr oilier process of llie Court.
It is moreover obvious that m ibis conflict
boiween ilm powers of the officers ol'lim Uni
ted Slates nod of the Slate (unless the l.itbr
l.e pnsivelt submitted to) tho destruction to
which the properly ofllio officers of the cm-
toms would be exposed, the commission of sc. I
tual violence, and Ihe loss of lives, would bs |
scarcely avoidable.
Under tlieso circumstances, and the provis
ions of the nets of S. Carolina, the exccuhi-u I
of the laws is rend-red impracticable, even
through tho ordinary judicial tribunals of tl.e
U. Sales. '1 here would certainly lie fetver
difficulties and less opportunity of aciuid ml
listen between llie officers ofllio IJ. Slates mil |
of the Stale, and the collection nf tho revcuur
w ould bu more i ffeutuull v secured—if indeed I
it can be done in any oilier wny—by placing I
llie Custom I louse beyond the immediate I
power of the Country. I
For this purpose, ii might bo proper lo pro-1
vide, that whenever, by any unlawful combi-1
iiuliun or obstruction in any Stale, or in unrl
port, it should become impracticable faitlifullvl
in culled llie duties, too President of tliol
Uuiicd .Slates should be oolhrized lo alter mi'll
abolish such of llio district* and purls of eulryl
aa should bn necessary, and In eglublisli llio
custom house at some secure place within lliul
same purl or huihor of such Siam; nnd ini
mu h eases, il should bo the duly of the eolo
lor lo icsidu el such place, and to dt-laiu ail|
vessels and cargoes mini Iho diilies irnpiisi'' 1
liy law he properly secured, or paid in cndil
— (Ii-diu-iiiig interest ; that in such eases ill
should he unlawful lo lake the vessle an J car |
go from tho custody of iho proper officer*
die customs, unless hv process from the
dmury judicial ir.hunals of'be U. Slain*, nod I
iliat in ea- e of an attempt otherwise lo hike
llie properly by u force loo "real to he over.]
come, by ilio officers of tho customs, ii siiouli
lie lawful lo protect the possession of the offi I
ccrs, by the employment nf tho land, and tu-[
val lorecs and militia, under provision* sim-l
ibir lo those authorized by llio lliii secliuti vlI
llie act ofllio 9tli of Jin. 1S09.
This provision, however, will not shield the I
officers, and citizens, of the U. .Shales, nrlKi;'[
under llie laws, from suits and proseeatians
in llie tribunals of tlm Slate, which might there I
after be* brought against them; nor would ill
protect their property, from tho proceding
distress : aud il may well ho apprehendedih;tl 1
it would ho inefficient to insure a proper ro<-|
peel to the process of the constitutional in-
ord, but are previously sworn to disregard
the laws of the Union, a id enforce those only
instruments ia aid of the conceited obstruction
ul iho law of tho Union.
Neither the process nor authority of ilicse
tribunals, thus cimstilulnd, can lie respected
consistently with the supremacy of ihn laws
or the rights und socunly ofllio citizen. If
they he submitted lo, the protection due- from
ll.e Government lo its officers und citizens is
withheld, und lliero is a: once nn cud nut only
lo Ihe laws hut lo llio Union itself.
Against such a force as the Jpnuriff may,
and which, hy llie replevin ne| of Smith .Car
olina, ii i* his duly lo exercise, il cannot lie
expected that a collector can rdum his custo
dy with the tud of the inspector*, in such a
case, il is true, it would ho competent to in
stitute suits in the United Slates Courts against
tlmsn engaged ill llie unlawful proceeding ; or
tho properly might he seized lor u violation
ofllio revenue laws, nnd being libelled in the
proper courts, an order might be made for its
re-delivery, which would be committed lu llie
Mnrshul lot execution- Hot in licit case the
4ih section of Iho act, in broad an unqualified
terms makes il the duly of ilio Sheriff “ to pre
vent such recapture or seizure, nr to re-dnliv-
t-r the goods, as the cose may be,” even under
any process, order or decree, or other pretext
contrary to the true intent nnd meaning uf ilia
Ordinance aforesaid. Il is thus made (lie
duly of iho Sheriff in oppose tho process of
the Courts of the United States, nnd fur llial
purpose, if need ho to employ the whole pow- initials tn prosecutions for offences against th*
or of the country,' and the act expressly rc
U.S. nnd tn prelect Ihn authorities of tin; l •
serves to him all power, winch, independent- j Stntcs, wether judicial or ministerial, iu 1111
ly of ils provisions, he could have used. In : performance of ilieir duly. Il would, in ,,r! '
this reservation it obviously contemplates a' over, he inadequate lo extend Ihe prolcclm 1
resort to ulhur means than those particularly
mentioned.
Il -is not to be disguised that the power
which ii is thus enjoined iiponihe slierilflo em
ploy, is nothing less than tho posse comitatus,
in all the rigor of Iho ancient common law.
This power, though it may he used against un
due fruin the government lo that portion nf ilk I
people nfS. Carolina, against murage ami.
Prussian of any kind, who may manifest :ln-J
.illm linicnl und yield obedience lo thu laws '
the Union.
It may, therefore, ho desirable to revive.j
with some modifications heller adopted to llal
law ful resis'anro to judicial process, is in its j occasion, Inc Gill suction of the Act of ilioSq
character forcible,and iiiiatuguus to that confer- j of -March, 1S15, which expired on the 4th
red upon the Marshals by thu act o''1795. U
is in fact tho embodying of the whole mass
oflhe population under tlm command nf a sin
gle individual, tn accomplish by thoir forcible
aid what could be effected peaceably and bv
tho ordinary means. Ii rr ty properly he suid
to bo u relict of those ages in which laws
could he defended rather tiv physical than
moral force, and, in its origin, whs conferred
upon the Sheriffs of England to*enable llmm
tu defund their country against any of the
King’s enemies when they come into thu laud,
ccrs of the customs to preserve tho custody a* well as for thp purpose of c.xeiiiling process-
March, 1817, by tin: limitation of t!, t uf 27 ■
April, IS 16, and to provido that in any cie-j
where suits shall he brought against any iod'l
vidual in Ihe (.’uuris of’he Slate for any n ( 'l
dune under iho laws nfthu U. Stales, he sliouUr
be authorized In remove thu said cause hv P r l
lilion into Iho Circuit Court of the U- SamT
w ithout any copy of the record, and that th-4
Court should proceed to hear and dcteron 9 !
the same as if it had been originally iiiotitutcdl
therein; and that in all cases of injuries tu. th<i
persons or property’of individuals acting. anJ‘ : l
the law* of the U. Stales, fur disobedunga r