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IHISCELLAKEOHS.
From the Charleston Mercurr/.
SCENERY IN THE INTERIOR.
We copy the subjoined interesting notice of
h e Table Rock, from the Evening Cost of Sat
ur day. It will be seen that the authot has made
several additions to the piece, since its appear
ance rn that paper. It were well, il those who
in ike excursions to our mountains, would more
frequently call the attention of the Lowlanders to
the unrivalled scenery to be met with in the
higher regions of our own State, and in the
neighboring districts of Georgia, Tennessee, and
North Carolina. We doubt whether in Swit
zerland itself, there is such a cluster of grand,
romantic, and varied scenery, within so limited
a compass, as around the point where these corn
er upon each other. Resides the Table Rock,
there is Paris’s Mountain, standing isolated as it
does, a few miles from the beautiful village of
Greenville, and overlooking a wide extent of
comparatively low country ; —and there is the
Jocasse Valley,* or the Valley of the White Wa
ters, in the Indian Reserve, where your road is
on the bed of the stream which spreads thiougli
the entire valley its waters of the color of milk,
while the mountains rise precipitously on each
side, and meet in from of you, their sides varie
gated by a profusion of the flowering laurel shrub,
the rhododendron, the arbutus, and there is with
in a short walk of the toll gate, on the State
Turnpike through the Saluda gap, a most mag
nificent water-fall, which seems to commence
from the very summit of the mountain, and with
pitches almost innumerable, foams and thunders
dow to the valley, from which you look upwards
and have a full view of the entire descent") These
are a few of the scones within our own State,
each of which would fully repay n traveller of
taste for all the pleasant toil and trifling cost of
a journey from the seaboard. The State Road,
too, at the gap, is a noble work of art. which
will divide the admiration with nittire. Its
tasteful and substantial bridges over the moun
tain torrents which form the head waters of the
Saluda, and the massiuess of its structure where
it is built up, and worms its way against the
steep side of the mountain, while the streams are
loudly fretting on each side, or spouting in jets
through the tunnels, give anew and pleasing in
terest to the wild landscape through which it
passes. Resides these things, the Tuccoah and
Tallulah Falls in Georgia, and the Stone moun
tain in the same state, which have been often
described, invite the traveller in one direction,
while the ride to Ashville, through the romantic
and rich county of Buncombe, lores him iri an
other. He may then proceed through the ro
mantic counties of Rotherford. and Burke, down
to Charlotte, in the vicinity of the gold mines of
Mecklenburg; or take his way along the French
Broad River, the banks of which are celebrated
for their sublime and picturesque changes of
scenery ;J and if an invalid, he may try the Yel
low Springs, about 35 miles from Ashville; —or
if he chooses, strike off to the celebrated Springs
of Virginia. This w hole region of country, from
the Cherokee Mountains in Georgia, to the
Mountains of Virginia, has been pronounced by
a distinguished foreigner, ‘ the Italy of America,’
and all who have ever breathed its atmosphere,
will agree, that no country in the world enjoys a
more delicious and salubrious climate.
THE TABLE MOUNTAIN.
“I’ve traversed many a mountain sli'mid
Abroad and in my native land.
And it ha-s been my lot to tread
Where fate hath more than pleasures led ;
Thus many a waste I’ve wandered o'er,
Ciomb many a cracr, cross’d many a moor,
Blit by my hnlidotne,
A scene so rude—so wild as this—
Yet so sublime in barrenness,
Ne’er did my wandering footsteps press
Where’er I hupp’d to roam.”
Nor marvel thus the wanderer spake,
For rarely human eye hath known
A scene so stern as that dread brake,
With its dark ledge oi barren stone.
Seems that primeval earthquake’s sway
Hath rent a strange and shatter’d way,
Through the rude bosom of the hill:
Amt that each nuked precipice,
Sable ravine and dark abyss,
Tells ol’the outrage still.” [Scott.
Among the remarkable things of the present
day. there is none more remarkable than the al
most total ignorance that exists in Carolina of
the vastness and grandeur of an object within
the limits of our Stale, which may well be re
garded as one of the wonders of the world.
There is not one man in ten thousand, of the in
habitants of this State, who has visited, or per
haps even heard of the Talk Mountain —and
whilst hundreds are journeying every year to the
North to view the sublime scenes of the “Falls
of Niagra,” and the “ Catskill Mountains,” they
leave behind them in their own State an object
of more rnggid sublimity, to which they have
never bent their steps, because fashion has not
thither led them. Or perhaps they Inve (like
the writer of these lines) always believed that the
glowing descriptions they may have heard of this
extraordinary mountain, and of the adjacent
scenery, were exaggerated beyond reality, by
the partiality and fond prejudice of our own citi
zens. Like him, they may have thought that
after beholding the wonders of Niagara, and ol
the Northern mountains, a visit to any curiosity
of our Southern country could produce nothing
hut disappointment—like him (if such be the
case) they should turn their steps to its lofty
crags, and banish their delusion—for they will
find an effect produced by its abrupt and pre
cripitous altitude, and its wild and savage scene
ry, far more astounding to the mind than any
afforded by the beautiful and magnificent scenes
at the North.
The Table Mountain is situated in Pickens
District in the extreme North Western corner ol
the State, and is about eqni-distant from the vil
lages of Pendleton nnd Greenville, being 21
miles distant from each, and 17 miles from Pick
ensville. The roads which lead to the moun
tain are rough and hilly, but in no parts at all
dangerous and impassible. There are comfort
able accommodations for visitors at the bouse of
Mr. Sutherland, the only public house in the
neighborhood, which is about three miles and a
half from the foot of the mountain. The examin
ation of the Rase Rock, and of the summit of the
mountain, usually occupy (wo days in two sepa
rate excursions from Mr. Sunderland’s.
It is absolutely necessary to procure a guide, as
the route is intricate, and wild and thick forests
extend over the entire mountain.
The ascent to the “ Base Rock,” as it is term
ed, is hy a different route from that to the sum
mit of the mountain ; it is exceedingly precipi
tous, and rises to the height of about 2500 leet
from the surface of the valley beneath. At this
point the foot of the Base Rock is fixed, and it
is raised to the extreme apex of the mountain.
The path which leads round the foot of the
Base Rock to the pool, (the “ultime Thule” of
this route) winding its way along a ledge of
rock, is barely wide enough to sustain the human
foot, with an immense precipice on each hand,
above and below, so abrupt and steep that a
single false step would in many places Inirl
the adventurous traveller to inevitable destruc
tion.
“ And wilder, forward as they wound,
Where the proud cliff*, and steep profjund,
IJuije terraces of granite black,
| Afforded rude and cumbered track, —
Far from the mountain hour,
Hurled headlong in some night of fear,
When yell’d the wolf and tied the deer,
Loose eraggs had toppled o’er,
Whilst some, chance, pois'd and ballaneed lav.
tfo lluil a stripling arm might sway
A mass no host could raise,
In nature's rage at random thrown,
Yet trembling like the Druid’s stone,
On its precarious base.”
This path is, in fact, almost impassable in ma
ny parts,—but difficult and dangerous as it is, a
single glance at the stupendous mas? of solid
rock, which towers above, in perpendicular and
collossal grandeur, to the height of !)00 feet, and
stretches far to the riglil and left, even beyond
the reach of vision, more than repays your every
difficulty, and your utmost peril.
The effect produced upon the mind, on its
first attempt ht grasp and embrace this vast ob
ject, is that of awe and almost stupefaction. The
senses cannot for a time realize, or comprehend,
the existence and extent of this gigantic effort of
nature. Atul even when its reality is reduced to
conviction, the feeling it engenders is still that of
reverential wonder, approaching to dismay.
Nor does the prospect ol the vale below relieve
the astonished and subdued mind from its sense
of bewilderment and awe; for on casting down
llie eve to the valley of the Ssalttita, the trees and
farm houses which it contains are reduced to the
apparent size of mere flowering shrubs and bee
hives by the immense altitude ol the intervening
space.
In one p irt of the otherwise solid surface of the
Base Rock, there is a narrow fissure, up which,
by the aid of roots and vines,and in one place of
a small ladder, you may ascend with difficulty
and danger to the summit. To render this more
practicable and less dangerous, Mr. Sunderland
proposes erecting in the cleft or crevice a firm
and regular set of step-ladders, secured with iror
clamps.
On the opposite side of this valley rises the
lofty mountain of “the Bald Eagle,” down
whose rugged sides the “Falls of Slicking” are
seen to rush in milky whiteness, but diminished
by the distance, to the breadth and appearance
of a satin riband.
The ascent to the “summit” of the mountain
is by another and mote circuitous, though no
less precipitous route, than that to “ the base”
of the rock. The accomplishment of this part
of the expidition usually occupies about four or
five hours. The distance traversed in the as
cent is computed to lie from three to four miles
from the loot of the mountain, and is partly per
formed on horseback, though with great risk and
difficulty, from ilie steep and broken surface
which it presents, and from the numerous and
massy rocks which surround and embarrass you
at every step.
“ On each hand, aloft and wild,
ITnsfe cliffs and toppling crags are piled.
The guards with which young Freedom line*
Tne path-way to her mountain shrines.”—Moore.
On arriving at flu extreme “ summit” of the
mountain, which is said to be 4000 ft. above the
level of the sea. a scene of majesty and beauty,
that can scarcely be exceeded, is presenter! to (lie
eye, ns far as its “ ken” will stretch on every
hand. A gradation of mountains which encircle
you, interspersed throughout with valleys of ver
dant and cultivated fertility, scpiu to sink by reg
ular steps of diminution, into plains of level and
unbroken surface.. But on approaching the
edge of the huge precipice which forms the Base
Rock, and looking down into the seemingly un
fathomable abyss below, a sight of startling sub
limity is beheld which makes the soul recoil with
a feeling of dread and consternation from the
view. The awe-struck mind is utterly appalled
by the immensity of space which lies directly
beneath the gazer's feet, as he clings with death
like grasp, to the over-hanging branches of the
cedar, which projects its arms far beyond this
terrific parapet of unbroken granite.
“ The precipice, upon whose extreme edge
Me stands, and oil the river's brink beneath
Beholds the tall pines dwindled as to shrubs,
In dizziness of distance—when a leap—
A stir—a motion—even a breath would bring
His breast upon its rocky bosom’s bed,
To rest forever. Wherefore doth he pause ?
He (eels the impulse —yet lie doth not plunge—
He (eels the peril—yet doth not recede—
And his brain reels—and yet his foot is firm—
There is a power upon him which withholds
And makes it Ills fatality to live.”—Bvuon.
The eye involuntarily closes from the sight—a
chilling sense of giddiness comes over the heart
—and the enthusiastic adventurer starts back in
horror and amazement from a scene of such un
utterable vastness—such terrible sublimity. C.
•The beauty of this charming valley is spoken
of with enthusiasm by those who have visited it,
and has been described both in prose and verse,
by the late Professor Blackburn, of South Caro
lina College.
[The celebrated Painted Rock, is one of the
striking objects on the French Road. At some
points in the vicinity, the wild character of the
scenery is much heightened by the effect of
ligntning blasted, by which the pines of almost
u it entire mountain side stand leafless and bleach
ed, —a connterpait of the desolate scene in the
Alps, so graphically de/iicted by Byron, in his
Journal or one of his Letters.
JSotne persons who have set out from the toll
gate in search of the fall here mentioned, have
lost much by mistaking for them an immediate
Fall in the same stream, which is pretty enough
in itself, but comparatively insignificant. The
traveller must go on, following the other bank
of the stream, after crossing upon a fallen pine,
until he arrives at the point where he can look
down for miles into the valley below. It is at
this point that the magnificent cascade com
mences. You may accompany it for several
steps down its huge stairs of rock—but at last
von come to a granite platlorin, beyond you
cannot descend: over this the torrent rushes by
you, pitches perpendicularly, and is lost to sight.
To gain a view of the rest of the descent yon
must make a circuit of more than two miles into
the valley.
Snake Story. —Messrs. Mack and Andrus:—
If yon should think the circumstance 1 am about
to relatp sufficiently curious to deserve a place in
your paper, it is at your service. On Saturday
afternoon I was engaged with two of my sons
and a hired man, Reuben Havens, in clearing a
smill piece for a summer crop. Havens cut
down a dry stump of a tree, about 25 feet high;
as it was (ailing, I perceived a striped snake s
bout two feet long, crossing a stone about 15 feet
from the foot of the tree. The tree fell on the
snake, and owing to its being a little flat on the
lower side, or to the shape of the stone, the snake
was cui in tlnee pieces as smooth as it could
have been done wuli n knife; the middle part
remained mashed under the tree. If it had not
been witnessed by four of us and I had not the
evidence of the fact to prove il, I would not dare
to tell what followed. The part of the snake
which had the head on, in about two minutes
crawled under the tree to the tail end, which had
worked itself to about a foot from the stone in
apparent agony. The head immediately took
the other part in its mouth, and fairly carried it
under the stone, which was flat and about three
feet over. All this was so singular, that I had
the curiosity to make one of the boys watch the
stone until we quit work at night. About three
! hours afterwards, when we chopped tip the tree !
I and with a handspike lilted the stone, e found
i the snake with the two cut ends joined together
and able to attempt making its escape—wo how
ever caught it. The cut has not entirely healed, |
but we carried it home, and 1 now have it well j
and sound in a box, for any body to see, at my
bouse, about a mile from the village. The ent
is entirely healed, and leaves a ring around the
snake; and what is curious, the ends of the ,
streaks on the two parts do not match.
MATHEW SEELY.
Ithaca, April 30. _
POLITICAL.
kK\ Ii Civ Y It I .SI H.IT I OSS
or 171)8 a.no 1799.
[the ORIGINAL DRAUGHT PREPARED BV THOMAS
JEFFERSON.]
The following Resolutions ]Hissed the House oj
Representatives of Kentucky. AW lOf A, 17118.
On the passage oj the first Resolution, one dis
sentient ; ~d, 3 d, 1 tli, 9th, dth, Tth, iilh, two
dissentients ; 9th., three dissentients.
1. Resolved, That the several Stales compo
sing the United States of America, are not unit
ed on the principle of unlimited submission to
their General Government; but that by compact
under the style and title of a Constitution for the
United States, and of amendments thereto, they
constituted a General Government for special
purposes, delegated to that Government certain
definite powers, reserving each State to itself,
the residuary mass of right to their own self-gov
ernment; and, that whensoever the General
Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts
are unauthoritalive, void, and of no force; that
to this compact each State acceded as a Slate,
and is an integral party ; that this Government,
created by this compact, was not made the ex
clusive or final judge of the extent of the powers
delegated to itself; since that would have made
its discretion, and not the Constitution, the meas
ure of its powers; but that, ns in all other cases
of compact, among parties having no common !
judge, each jnirly has an equal right to judge for
itself, as well of infractions us of the mode and
measure of redress.
2. Resolved, That (lie Constitution of the U.
States having delegated to Congress a power to ,
punish treason, counterfeiting the securities and
current coin of the United States, piracies and
felonies committed on the high seas, and offen
ces against the laws of nations, and no other
crimes whatever, and it being true, as a general
principle, and one of the amendments to the
Constitution having also declared, “that the
powers not delegated to the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States,
are reserved to the States respectively, or to the
people,” there#*e, also, the same act of Con
gress, passed on the 14th day of July, 1798, and
entitled “An act in addition to the act entitled
an act for the punishment of certain crimes a- .
gainst the United States as also, the act pass- j
ed by them on the 27th day of June, 1798, enti- I
tied “ An act to punish frauds committed on the
Bank of the United States,” (and all other their
acts which assume to create, define, or punish
crimes o'lier than those enumerated in the Con- !
solution,) are altogether void and of no force, and
that the power to create, define and punish such
other crimes, is reserved, and of rigln appertains 1
solely and exclusively to the tespective States,
each within its own territory.
3. Resolved, That it is true, as a general prin
ciple, and is also expressly declared by one of the
amendments to the Constitution, that “ the pow
ers not delegated to the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States,
are reserved to the States respectively or to the
people ;” and, that no power over the freedom of
religion, freedom ol speech, or freedom of the
press, being delegated to the United Stales by
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states,
all lawful powers respecting the same did of right
remain and were reserved to the States or to the
people ; that thus was manifested their determi
nation to retain to themselves the right of judg
ing how far tire licentiousness of speech and of
the press may be abridged without lessening their
useful fieedom, and how far those abuses which
cannot he separated from their use, should be
tolerated rather than the use be destroyed ; and
thus also they guarded against all abridgment by
the United States, of the freedom of religious
principles and exercises, and retained to them
selves the right of protecting the same, as this,
stated by a law passed on the general demand of
its citizens, had already protected them from all
human restraint or interference; and that, in ad
dition to this general principle and express decla
ration, another and more special provision lias
been made by one of the amendments to the
Constitution, which expressly declares, “that
Congress shall make no laws respecting an es
tablishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press,” thereby guarding* i the
same sentence, and under the same words, the
freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press,
insomuch, that whatever violates either, throws
down the sanctuary which covers the olheis, and
that libels, falsehood and defamation, equally
with heresy and false religion, are withheld from
the cognizance of Federal tribunals. That there
fore the act of the Congress of the United Stales,
passed on the 14th of July, 1798, entitled “ An
act in addition to the act entitled an act for the
punishment of certain crimes against the United
Stales,” whiclt does abridge the freedom of the
press, is not daw, but is altogether void and of
NO FORCE.
4. Resolved, That alien friends are tinder the
jurisdiction and protection of the laws of the
State wherein they are : that no power over them
has been delegated to the United States, nor pro
hibited to the individual States distinct from
their power over citizens ; and it being true, as
a general principle, and one of the amendments
to the Constitution having also declared, that
“the powers not delegated to the United States
bv the Constitution, nor prohibited to the States,
arc reserved to the States respectively, or to the
people,” the act of the Congress of the U. States,
passed the 22d day of June, 1798, entitled, “ An
act concerning aliens,” which assumes power
over alien fiieuds not delegated by the Constitu
tion, is not law, but is altogether void and of
no force.
5. Resolved, That in addition to the general
principle, as well as the express declaration, that
powers not delegated ate teserved, another and
more special provision inferred in the Constitu
tion, from abundant caution lias declared, “ that
the migration or importation of such persons as
any of the States now existing shall think proper
to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress
prior to the year 1808.”—That this|Common
wealth does admit the migration of alien friends
described as the subject of the said act concern
ing aliens; that a provision against prohibiting
their migration, is a provision against all acts
equivalent thereto, or it would be nugatory ; that
to remove them when migrated is equivalent to a
prohibition of their migration, and is, therefore,
contrary to the said provision of the Constitu
tion, and void.
6. Resolved, That the imprisonment of a per
son under the protection of the law sos this Com
monwealth, on his failure to obey the simple or
der of the President, to depart out of the United
States, as is undertaken by the said act, entitled
I “An act concerning nliens,” is contrary to the
! Constitution, one amendment in which has pro
vided, that “ no person shall be deprived of lib- ’
Pity without due process of law,” and, that an-. <■
oilier having provided, “ that in all criminal pro- i ;
seditions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a ;
•ruhlic nial by an impartial jury, to he infotnted i
as to the nature and cause of the accusation, to !
he confronted with the witnesses against him, to i
have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses <
in his favor, find to have assistance of counsel lor 1
his defence,” the same act undertaking to an- :
thorize die President lo remove a person out ol
llie United Slates who is miller the protection of
the law, on his own suspicion, without jury, with
out public trial, without confrontation of tlie wit
nesses against him, without having witnesses in
his favor, without defence, without counsel, is
contrary to these provisions also of the Constitu
tion, is therefore .not law, but utterly void and
OK NO FORCE.
That transferring the power of judging any
person who is under the protection of the laws,
from the couits of the President of the United
Stales as is undertaken by the same act as con
cerning aliens, is against the article ol the Con
stitution which provides, that “ the judicial pow
er of the United States shall he vested ill the
conns, die judges of which shall hold their office
during good behavior,” and that the said act is
void for that reason also; and it is further to be
noted that this transfei of judiciary power is to
that magistrate of the general government who
a heady possesses all the executive, and a quali
fied negative in all the legislative powers.
7. Resolv'd. That the construction applied by
the General Government (as is evident by sun
dry of the proceedings) to those parts of the Con
stitution of the United States, which delegate to
Congress, power to lay and collect taxes duties,
imposts, excises; to pay the debts, and provide
for die common defence, and general welfare of
the United States, audio make all laws which
shall lie necessary and proper for carrying into
execution the powers vested by the Constitution
in the government of the United States, or any
department thereof, goes to the destruction of all
tiie limits prescribed to their power by the Con
stitution —That words meant by that instrument
to he subsidiary only to tire execution of die
limited powers, ought not to be so constructed as
themselves to give unlimited powers, nor a part
so to he taken, as to destroy the whole residue
of the instrument; That the proceedings of the
General Government under color of those ar
ticles, will lie a fit and necessary subject for re
visal and correctional a time of greater tran
quility, while those specified in the preceding
resolutions call for immediate redress.
8. Resolved, That the preceding resolutions
be transmitted to the Senators and Representa
tives in Congress from ibis commonwealth, who
are enjoined to present the same to their respect
ive houses, and to use their best endeavors to
procure at the next Session of Congtess, are
peal of the aforesaid unconstitutional and obnox
-1 ions acts.
9. Resolved, lastly, That the governor of this
! commonwealth be, and is hereby authorized and
| requested to communicate the pieceding resolu
tions to the legislatures of the several States, to
! assure them that this commonwealth considers
j union for special national put poses, and particu
* larly for those specified in their late federal com
| pact, to be friendly to the peace, happiness mid
prosperity of all the States—that faithful to that
j compact, according to the plain intent and mean
ing in which it was understood and acceded to
by the several parlies, it is sincerely anxious for
its presei vation ; that it does also believe, that to
■ take from the Slates all the powers of self-gov
i eminent, and transfer them to a general and con
i solidated government, without regard to the spe
; cial delegations and reservations solemnly agreed
to in that compact, is not for the peace, happi
; ness, or prosperity of these states : And that,
therefore, this Commonwealth is determined, as
! it doubts not its co-states are, to submit inundele
[ gated, and consequently unlimited, powers in no
man, or body of men on earth : that if the acts be
fore specified should stand, these conclusions
i would flow from them ; that the general govern
; ment may place any act they think proper on the
list of crimes, and punish it themselves, whether
: enumerated nr not enumerated by (lie Constitu
tion, as cognizable by them ; that they maytrans
fer its cognizance to the President or any otliei
person, who may himself be the accuser, coun
sel, judge, and jury, whose suspicions may be
the evidence, his order the sentence, his officer
| the executioner, and his breast the sole record of
the transaction ; that a very numerous and valu
able description of thejnhahitants of these stales,
being by this precedent reduced as outlaws to
the absolute dominion ol one mail, and the barri
ers of tiie Constitution thus swept from us all ;
| no rampart now remains against the passions and
the power of a majority of Congress, to protect
from a like exportation or other grievous punish
, ment the minority of the same body, the legisla
tures, judges, governors, and counsellors of the
States, nor their other peaceable inhabitants who
i may venture to reclaim the constitutional rights
J and liberties of the Slates and people, or who,
for other causes, good or bad, may be obnoxious
to the view or marked by the suspicions of the
President, or be thought dangerous to bis or their
j elections or other iuterests, public or personal;
| that the friendless alien lias been selected as the
| safest subject of a first experiment ; but (lie citi
j zen will soon fallow, or -rather has already fol
lowed ; for, already has a sedition act marked
j him as a prey : That these and successive acts of
thesime character, unless arrested on the thresh
i old, may tend to drive these States into revolu
; lion and blood, and will furnish new calumnies
| against republican governments, and new’ pre
■ texts for those who wish it to be believed that
man cannot be governed but by a rod of iron,
that it would be a dangerous delusion, were a
confidence in the men of our choice to silence
our fears for the safety of our rights ; that confi
dence is eveiy where the parent of despotism ;
free government is founded in jealousy and not
in confidence ; it is jealousy anti not confidence
which prescribes limited constitutions lo bind
down those whom we are obliged to trust with
power; that our Constitution has accordingly
fixed the limits to which and no farther our con
fidence may go; and let the honest advocate of
confidence read the alien and sedition acts, and
say if the Constitution has not been wise in fixing j
limits to the government it created, and whether
we should be wise in destroying those limits ?
Let him say what the government is, if it be not
a tyranny, which the men of our choice have
conferred on the President, and the President of
our choice has assented to anil accepted over the
Iriendly strangers, to whom the mild spirit of our
country and its laws had pledged hospitality and
protection; that the men of our choice have
more respected the bare suspicions of the Presi
dent than the solid rights of innocence, the claims
of justification, the sacred force of truth, and the
forms and substauceof law and justice. In ques
tions of power, then, let no more be said of confi
dence in man, but bind himdQwn front misciiK-f
bv the chains of the Constitution. That tins
Commonwealth does therefore cal*. Qj, | ts co _
states for an expression of their sentiments on the
acts concerning aliens, and for the punishment
of certain crimes herein before specified, plainly
declaring whether these acts are or are not au
thorized by (he federal compact. And it doubts
not that their sense will be so announced as to
I * ,,ov ® *' leir a, tachment to limited government,
I whether general or particular, and that the rights
j ,lnd I l,be,,ies of ‘heir co-states will be exposed to
, no dangers by remaining embarked on a com
mon bottom will,their own: But they will con
ciu with tins commonwealth in consideiing lh°
said acts as so palpably against J the Constitution
as to amount to an undisguised declaration, that
the compact is not meant to he the measure ol
the powers of the General Government, but Hut
it will proceed in the exercise over these states
of all powers whatsoever. That they “ ill view
tiiis as seizing ‘he rights of the states anil con
solid.it.ng them in the hands of the General Gov- j
ment, with a power assumed to bind the states
(not merely in cases made lederal) but in ail
cases whatsoever, by laws made, not with their
consent, but by others against their consent; that
this would be to surrender the (orm of govern- ,
ment we have chosen, and live under one deliv
ing its nowers from its own will, and not from oui j
authority; and that the co-states recurring to
their natural rights incases not made leihual,
will concur in declaring these void and of no;
force, and will each unite with this common
wealth in requesting their repeal at the next ses
sion of Congress.
EDMOND BULLOCH S- 11. R
.’oil.N CAMPBELL, A. S. P. T.
Passed the House of Representatives, Nov. 10,
1798.
Attest : TIIOS. TODD. C. 11 It.
In SENATE. Nov. 13, 1798—Unanimously
concurred in,
Attest: B. THURSTON, C. S.
Approved November 19th, 1798.
JAMES GARRARD,
Governor of Kentucky.
lIARItY TOULMIN.
Secretary of Slate.
By tiie Governor.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Thursday, Nov. Uth 1799.
Tiie House, nccording to the standing order
of the day, resolved itseil into a committee of the
Whole House, on the State of tiie Coinnton
wealili, Mr. Desha in tiie Chair; and after some !
time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the
Chair, and Mr. Desha reported, that the Com-I
mittee had taken under consideration sundry j
resolutions passed by several State Legislatures, j
on the subject ol the Alien and Sedition Laws j
and had come to a resolution thereupon, which
lie delivered in at the Clerk’s table, where it was
read and unanimously agreed to by the House, ‘
as follows :
The representatives of the good people of this
Commonwealth, in General Assembly convened, j
having maturely considered the answers of sun- j
dry States in the Union, to their resolutions pass- j
eii the last session, respecting certain unconsti- i
tutional laws of Congress, commonly called t lie
Alien and Sedition Laws, would be faithless in
deed, lo themselves and to those they represent,
were they silently to acquiesce in the principles
and doctrines attempted to he mnintaided in all
those answeres, that of Virginia only excepted.
To again enter the field of argument, and a'-
tempt more fully or forcibly to expose the tin
constitutionality of those obnoxious laws, would,
it is apprehended, be as unnecessary and una
vailing. We cannot, however, but lament, that,
in the discussion of those interesting subjects, by
sundry of the Legislatures of our sister States,
unfounded suggestions, and uncandid insinua
tions, derogatory to tlie true character and prin
ciples of this commonwealth lias been substituted
in place of fair reasoning and sound argument.
Our opinions of these alarming measures of the
General Government, together with our reasons
for those opinions, were detailed with decency,
and with temper, and submitted to the discussion
and judgment of our fellow-citizens throughout
the Union. Whether the like decency and tem
per have been observed in tiie answers of most
of those States, who have denied or attempted to
obviate the great truths contained in those reso
lutions, we have now only to submit to a candid
world. Faithful to tiie true principles of the
Federal Union, unconscious ol any designs to
disturb the harmony of that Union, and anxious
only to escape tiie fangs of despotism, the good
people of this commonwealth aie regatdless of
censure or calumniation. Least, however, the
silence ol this commonwealth should he constru
ed into acquiescence in the doctrines and princi
ples advanced and attempted to be maintained
byiliesaid answers, or least those of our fellow
citizens throughout tiie Union who so widely difi
ler from us on those important subjects, should
be deluded by the expectation, that we shall not
he deterred from what we conceive to he our du
ty, or shrink from the principles contained in
those resolutions—therefore,
Resolved, That ibis Commonwealth considers
the Federal Union, upon the terms and for the
purposes specified in the late compact, as condu
cive to the liberty and happiness of the several
Slates : That it does now unequivocally declare
its attachment to the Union, and to that com
pact, agreeably to its obvious and real intention,
and will be among the last to seek its dissolution :
That if those who administer the General Gov
ernment be permitted to transgress the limits fix
ed by that compact, by a total disregard to the
special delegations of power therein contained,
an annihilation of the State Governments, and
the creation upon their ruins of a General Con
solidated Government, will be the inevitable con
sequence : That the principle and construction
contended for by sundry of the State Legislatures,
that the General Government is the exclusive judge
of the extent of the powers delegated to it, stop no
thing short of DESPOTISM—since the discre
tion of those who administer the Government, and
not the CONSTITUTION, would be the meas
ure oj their pmcers : That the several States who
formed that instrument, being sovereign and in
dependent, have the unquestionable right lo judge
of the infraction; and, that a Nullification by
those Sovereignties, of all urwuthorized acts done
under color of that instrument, is the rightful nm
edy: That tiiis Commonwealth does, under tho
most deliberate reconsideration, declare that the
said Alien and Sedition Laws are, in their opin
ion, palpable violations of the said Constitution ;
and, however cheerfully it may be disposed to
surrender its opinion to a majority of its sister
States, in matters of ordinary or doubtful policy,
vet, in momentous regulations like the present,
which so vitally wound the best rights of the citi
zen, it w. uld consider a silent acquiescence as
highly criminal: That although this Common
wealth, as a party to the Federal compact. w ; ,’,j
bow to the laws of the Union, yet it does v.t the
same time declare, that it will not now,, 0 r ever
hereafter, cease to oppose in a constitutional
manner, every attempt, at what quarter ,„evei
offered, to violate that compact. And finally
in order that no pretext o; Arguments’ may be
drawn from a supposed acquiescence, on the part I
of this Commonwealth, in the constitutionality
ol those laws, and Le thereby used as precedents
for similar future violations of the Federal com
pact, this Commonwealth does now enter against
them its SOLEMN POTEST.
Extract, &c. Attest,
TIIO’S TODD, C. 11. R.
In Senate, Nov. 22, 1799—Read and concur
red in. Attest,
B. THURSTON. C. S.
Virginia Resolutions of 1 70s.
Pronouncing the Alien and Sedition laws to be
unconstitutional, and defining the rights or the
States. b
DRAWN BY MR. MADISON.
I irginia House of Delegates , )
and , , Eridat. Dec. 21, 1798. )
Resolved, That the General Assembly of Vir
ginia doth unequivocally express a firm resolu- i
tton to maintain and defend the Constitution of
the United States, and tiie Constitution of
State, against every aggression either foreign 0(
domestic ; and that they will support the G ()V
eminent ol the United States in all measures w.,,
ranted by tiie former.
That this Assembly most solemnly d ec | ar
a warm attachment to the Union of tiie Siaip.’
to maintain which it pledges its powers; ami
that for tiiis end, it is their duty to watch'in,,
and oppose every iulruction of those princiid,
which constitute the basis of that Union, lier d uj ( .
I a faithful observance of them can alone sccin,.
its existence and tiie public happiness.
That tiiis Assembly doth explicitly and p Pr .
euiptorily declare, that it views the powers ol U p
; Federal Government, ns resulting fioui the coin.
pact to which the Slates are paiues;
I by the plain sense and intention of the inslm
j merit constituting that compact ; as no further
valid than they are enumerated in the compact ■
j and that in case of a deliberate, piilpable aiui
dangerous exercise of other powers, not granic |
by the said compact, the Slates, who are parties
thereto, have tiie right, and are in duty bound to
interpose, for arresting the progress of the ev,’
I and lor maintaining within their respective Hinits
I the authorities, rights, and liberties appertain!,
to them. °
That the General Assembly doth, also ex.
press its deep regret that a spirit has, i n suni
instances, been manifested by the Federal Gov.
eminent, to enlarge its powers by fmcerl construe,
lions of tiie constitutional cli.uacier which dtfm.
ed them ; and dial indications have appeared of
a design in expound certain general phrases
; (which, having been copied from the very liber, |
| grant of powers in the former articles of cot:red.
1 oration, were the less liable to he misconstrued,)
so as 10 destroy the meaning and effect of i|>
paiticular enumeration, which necessarily ( . v
plains and limits the general phrases, and so *
10 consolidate the States by degrees, in one sove
reignty, the obvious tendency anil inevitable re.
suit of which would he to transform die present
; republican system ol the U. States into an abso
lute or at best, a mixed monarchy.
That the General Assembly doth particuUrlv
protest against the palpable and alarming iofrac
lions of the constitution, in the Iwo late cases of
the “Alien and Sedition Acts,” passed at i|, e
I last session of Congress; the first of which exei
! cises a pow er no where delegated to the Federal
| Government, and which, by uniting Legislative
and Judicial powers to those of Executive, sub
! verts the principles of free government, as neli
i as the particular organization and positive pro.
visions ol tiie Federal Constitution ; and the wii
er of which acts exercises in like manner, a pow.
er not delegated by the constitution, but on ip,
contrary, expressly and positively forbidden I,v
one of the amendments thereto ; a power whick
more than any other, ought to produce universal
alarm, because it is levelled against ther,o|,(
freely examining public characters and measures,
and of free communication among the peopli
thereon, w hich lias ever been jusdv deemed the
only effectual guardian of every other right.
That this Stale having by its Convemi
which ratified the Federal Constitution, expre*.
ly declared, that among oiher essential rigliis,
I ” the liberty of conscience and ihe press cminm
he cancelled, abridged, restrained or modified bv
j any authority of ihe United States,” and from in
extreme anxiety to guaid these rights from evm
possible attack of sophistry and ambition, havieg
with oilier Slates recommended an amendnmii
for that purposs, which amendment was, in due
time, annexed to the constitution, ii niinldmaik
a reproachful inconsistency, - uid criminal de
generacy, il an indifference weie now shown!)
the most papable violation of one of the riglm
thus declared sacred, and to the cst;iLlishmenlof
a precedent i.hicli may be fatal to the other.
1 lial the good | e >ple of this Connumiiu,.l:!i
having ever felt, and continuing to feel ihe must
4 sincere affection fin llu ir lirelhien nf the other
Suits, the truest anxiety fin establishing aid
penetrating the union of all, and the most sr
pulousfidelity lo the Federal Constitution. i;
is the pledge of mutual friendship and the in
strument of iimiliihl happiness, the General Av
tenthly doth solemnly appeal to the like dispnsi-j
lions in the other States, in confidence tbatibn-i
will concur with this Coinnouweallli in dcilai
ing, as it does hereby declare, that the acts i.luv-j
i said are unconstitutional ; and that llienctcw-i
ry and proper measures will he taken by each In
co-operating with this Stale in maintaining un
impaired the authorities, rights, and liberties re
served to the Stales respectively, or lo the pro;
That the Governor be desired to transmit i
copy of tire foregoing resolutions to the Exem
live authority of each of the oilipi Stales, wit’ i
request that the same may he coiuiniuiicaleil t
the Legislature thereof; —and that a copy U
j furnished to each of live Senators and Heprews
tatives representing tiiis State in the Congress and
the Uniterl States.
Attest, JOHN STEWART.
1798, Uec. Agreed to bv Senate.
11. BROOKF.
A true copy fro*u the original deposited in w
office 0 1 the General Assembly.
JOHN STEWART, Keeper of Rolh.
MIE CRAWFORD’S LETTER.
Wood lawn, June 3d, 1895.
Mr Dear Sir— Your letter of the 27th and
teas received by this (Jay's mail, in due coursr.-
You inform me in it that letters received fro*
Milledgeville affirm, that the Troup Party is tv
lir.ct in the State. On the other hand you sin,
that respectable members of the Troup Party, as
sert that the parties now existing in the Staten*
the sum t as have existed for years
| So Jar as my testimony can be of any service I*
you, it is wholly in affirmance of the hitter assa
lion. That the Clark Party should bt solicitor
j to merge their generic political name into one man
respectable, is no matter of surprise to any one id*
is acquainted with the moral and political charac
ter of that party. But that they should have ail
and assistance, in effecting the ir political imtn
mnrphosis from affecting to belong <■>
the Republican or Troup Party, is trulyastoiv Si■
iag- lhe fact only proves that t re half hff
wol'ies in sheep's clothing in our ranks■ ‘J he hilt
Vonvtntion at Milledgeville proves this fad, V
! other evidence tms icantmg. It ms during
same Convention, that the Clark Party first rare’
■ an effort to assume the character of the Union Ad
ministration Party. Rut the conduct of the self
styled Union Party, during the session of w
* Convention, proved sufficiently the identity }
j Clark Party. That party has never posscssn /
political power without abusing il! P has n tn
abused it more flagrantly, than in the late Con
vention. The abuse of power in the Legislature
prostrated that parly in 1829. If the abuse *!
power in the Legislature destroyed the ascends
cy of the Clark Party in 1825, how much ‘
effectually ought an abuse of power to destroy ‘ <
when theit abuse has been manifested in the rev
of the Constitution. That the self-styled l
Party, is essentially the Clark Party, no man
doubt, who has witnessed the proceeding* °f 1 .
late Convention. Can the Ethiopian change
skin ? Can the. Leopard change his spots ■
When either of these events shall hopp fn <
may be possible for the Clark parly 1° change i
moral and political character. The Union lor )
may, and probably will, endeavor to assume
character of the late Federal Parly. U* y” f ,
may possibly endeavor to effect this revo^tJ ! ,n . n '.i,.,.
il will be extremely difficult. The materia
have to operate with, are very discordant. J
the Troup party is not erlinct, the imam 1,1