State of Maine.

IN SENATE, February 1, 1833.

The Joint Select Committee, to which was referred so much of the Governor's Message as relates to the difficulties existing between South Carolina and the General Government, and the Documents from South Carolina, and several other States, upon the same subject, have had the same under consideration, and

REPORT:

THAT they have given their anxious and serious attention to the several documents referred to their consideration; all of which have grown out of the unhappy controversy now subsisting between South Carolina and the General Government. Most, if not all of them, contain speculative views of the nature and objects of our political system. In the several communications, there is observable a wide diversity of sentiment; and in some, especially those from South Carolina, the conclusions adopted are made the subjects of a very extended and elaborate argument. To review and compare with each other the several opinions and doctrines set forth in these several communications, to examine fully the various arguments and objections which they oppose to each other, and to investigate what, if any, errors of fact, of principle, or of reasoning, may be contained in any, or all of them, would seem to be a task of great labor, and one not likely, perhaps, to result in any corresponding benefit. This State, on two occasions, has heretofore expressed her opinion upon the subject of Federal Relations. It is believed,

that the Report and Resolutions of 1827, relative to Internal Improvements, and the Report and Resolutions of 1831, upon the same subject, contain a general outline of the sentiments of Maine, as regards the origin and purposes of our political system, the powers conferred upon the General Government by the Constitution, and the rights reserved to the People and the States. As a declaration of our principles and opinions, as to the relative powers and duties of the General Government and the several State Governments, we deem it unnecessary, therefore, at the present time, to do more than simply refer to the several Reports and Resolutions above alluded to.

Without entering into the discussion of political theories, we have chosen rather to take a practical view of the unhappy difficulties which agitate the public tranquillity, and alarm the public mind. Viewing with the deepest feelings of regret, the excitement which pervades our sister State, and the rash and presumptuous measures to which it has led, and deprecating those measures as utterly inconsistent with the spirit of forbearance and compromise in which our Union had its origin, and by a perseverance in which it can alone be maintained, we cannot, at the same time, forget that this excitement, this disturbance of the public tranquillity, and all the dangers which this unnatural controversy threatens to bring upon the country, have for their origin and moving cause the policy of the protective system. Under this aspect of public affairs, it has seemed to your Committee the more useful course to respectfully interpose the voice of this State for conciliation and forbearance. There are none among us who would justify the untimely and ruinous resistance which South Carolina threatens against the existing laws of the United States, of whose injustice she complains. On the other hand, a large majority of the citizens of Maine ever have entertained-they still entertain the most undoubting convictions of the impolicy and oppression of high protecting duties.

Under these circumstances, and with these views, the Committee submit the following Resolves.

J. WILLIAMSON, Chairman.

RESOLVES.

Resolved, That we are not insensible to the wrongs and sufferings of our brethren of South Carolina, under the unjust and oppressive burdens imposed upon them by the Tariffs of high protective duties. But while we deplore their grievances, and are ready to unite with them in any and every peaceful and lawful mode of redress, we cannot, nor will we give our countenance or support to their projected scheme for relief. We regard nullification as neither a safe, peaceable, or constitutional remedy, but as unsound and dangerous in theory and in practice, tending directly to civil commotion, disunion, and anarchy. We implore them to pause in their precipitate career, to suspend their rash and revolutionary measures, and trust to that redeeming spirit of justice which is a ruling characteristic of the American people.

Resolved, That the acts of Congress, usually denominated Tariff laws, so far as they were passed palpably and solely for the purpose of protecting and fostering particular branches of industry, are unequal in their operation, and contrary to the spirit, true intent, and meaning of the Federal Compact.

Resolved, That it is due to a spirit of mutual conciliation, to the demands of justice, to a decent respect for the opinions and interests of large portions of the community, and absolutely necessary to the preservation of the Union, that the Tariff laws should be gradually (but speedily) abated to the imposition of such duties only as are required for the purpose of a revenue sufficient to defray the ordinary expenses of the General Government, confined to its appropriate objects, and economically administered.

Resolved, That we heartily approve the policy and measures of President Jackson's administration, and in the present difficult and threatening aspect of public affairs, we look with confidence to the patriotism, vigilance, and firmness of our Chief

Magistrate, as sure pledges that all his efforts will be directed to preserve unimpaired the union, happiness, and glory of our Republic.

Resolved, That the patriotic spirit and tone of the President's recent Proclamation, relating to the extraordinary proceedings of South Carolina, meet our warmest approbation; and we approve of the principles and policy avowed therein, as expounded, not in accordance with the federal doctrine of consolidation, but with the democratic doctrine of State rights, and a limitation of action of the Federal Government to the powers expressly delegated to it by the Constitution, and in accordance with the several messages of President Jackson, to Congress, and the uniform tenor of the acts of his administration; and in support of all constitutional measures adopted by him to preserve the Union, we tender him our undivided support.

Resolved, That the Secretary of State be, and hereby is directed to transmit a copy of these Resolves, with the Preamble, to each of the Representatives in Congress from this State.

Resolved, That the Governor be, and hereby is requested to transmit a copy of these Resolves, with the Preamble to the Executive of each of the other States of this Union, and the President of the Senate of the United States.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, February 18, 1833.

Attest:-R. G. GREENE, Secretary of State.