posed, that those who consented to it, intended by implication and construction to confer on the General Government powers destructive of their happiness and best interest. Laws having their operation, and professing to derive their authority from the Constitution under which we live, being opposed to the true interest of every section of the republic and unjust in their operation on the Southern States, even if sustained by the letter of the Constitution, are contrary to its spirit and at war with the general scope and tenor of that instrument.

It cannot be believed that if the framers of the Constitution had assigned the exercise of such a power, as the right to create and protect domestic manufactures, by a system of high duties, that it would have been left to inference or implication; its framers therefore could not have intended that such a power should be exercised. This reasoning is founded on, and these results drawn from the instrument itself; but in addition thereto, contemporaneous history informs us, that in the Convention which framed the Constitution, it was proposed in various modes to give that power to Congress, and refused.

It is the exercise of this power, which a large majority of the South believe to be against the spirit of the Constitution, and no inconsiderable number, contrary to its express letter, which has driven them to consider their Government as foreign to their interests, and alien to their feelings. Instead of looking up to it with pride and veneration, as the world's last hope, and as the favorite resort of freedom, no inconsiderable portion of the South have begun to estimate its value; and to contemplate even disunion itself, as an evil less formidable than submission to the exactions of the Government.

And now at this fearful crisis, when one of our co-States has assumed the alarming attitude of declaring an act of Congress void within her limits, and the note of preparation is sounded to sustain this attitude by force, what shall Alabama do? Our answer is never despair of our country. We believe that there is a vital energy, a living principle inherent in our institutions, and a sense of justice residing in the bosoms of our fellow citizens, which when properly appealed to, must succeed. We concede that our Northern brethren believe that they are acting within the pale of the Constitution; but can it be believed, that they

will by insisting on the obnoxious duties, peril the Union of these States, and make shipwreck of the last hope of mankind? Can any pecuniary benefit compensate for results like these? If blood be shed in this unhallowed contest, a wound will be inflicted, which may never be healed, to confidence will succeed distrust, mutual recriminations, and mutual interest, and the choicest blessings of Heaven, by madness and folly of man, will be converted into the most deadly poison.

Deeply impressed with these views, we recommend the adoption of the following resolutions, which we are satisfied embody the opinions of our constituents, and in their name propose to our co-States a Federal Convention.

RESOLVES.

Be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Alabama in General Assembly convened, That we consider the present Tariff of duties, unequal, unjust, oppressive and against the spirit, true intent and meaning of the Constitution; that if persevered in, its inevitable tendency will be to alienate the affections of the people of the Southern States from the General Government.

And be it further Resolved, That we do not consider the Tariff of 1832, as fastening upon the country the principle of protection, but that we receive it as the harbinger of better times, as a pledge that Congress will at no distant period, abandon the principle of protection altogether, and reduce the duties on imports to the actual wants of the Government, levying those duties on such articles as will operate most equally on all sections of the Union.

And be it further Resolved, That Nullification, which some of our Southern brethren recommend as the Constitutional remedy for the evils under which we labor, is unsound in theory and dangerous in practice, that as a remedy it is unconstitutional and essentially revolutionary, leading in its consequences to anarchy and civil discord, and finally to the dissolution of the Union.

And be it further Resolved, That we earnestly intreat the people of this State, not to distrust the justice of the General Government, and to rest satisfied, though long delayed, it will certainly be accorded to them. And above all things, to avoid those dangerous and unconstitutional remedies proposed for their imitation and adoption, no matter how specious their exterior, which may lead to bloodshed and disunion, and will certainly end in anarchy and civil discord. And at the same time we would most solemnly adjure the Congress of the United States, in the name of our common country to abandon the exercise of those dubious and constructive powers, claimed under the Constitution, the assertion of which has produced jealousy, excitement

and dissatisfaction to the Government, and if persevered in, will in all human probability dissolve this Union. By this means, and by this alone, can we be prevented from fulfilling our high destinies, and our onward march to greatness be arrested.

And be it further Resolved, That as we have now for the first time in the history of our country, presented to us the appalling spectacle of one of the States of this Union, arraying herself against the General Government, and declaring sundry acts of Congress void and of no effect within her limits; presenting to Congress the alternative of repealing the obnoxious laws or permitting her secession from the Union, and preparing by an armed force to sustain the position she has assumed, and as we cannot silently look on and witness the failure of the high raised hopes and just expectations of those patriots who cemented our liberty with their blood: Therefore, as a last resort, we recommend to our co-States the calling of a Federal Convention, to meet in the City of Washington on the first of March, 1834, or at such other time and place as may be agreed on, which shall be authorized to devise and recommend such plan, which will satisfy the discontents of the South, either by an explicit denial of the right of Congress to protect domestic industry by duties on imports laid for protection, or by defining and restricting the power aforesaid, within certain prescribed limits, and making such other amendments and alterations in the Constitution as time and experience have discovered to be necessary.

Resolved, That the Governor be desired to transmit a copy of the foregoing resolutions to the President of the United States, and to the Executive of each of the States, with a request that the same may be communicated to the Legislature thereof.

Resolved further, That the Governor furnish a copy of said resolutions to each of the Senators and Representatives of this State, in the Congress of the United States.

Approved, January 12, 1833.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Of the General Assembly of the State of Alabama to the President of the United States, to the State of South Carolina, and to the different States.

THE General Assembly of the State of Alabama have received and considered with absorbing interest, the late Ordinance of South Carolina, with the Address to the co-States accompanying the same, together with the Proclamation of the President of the United States, consequent thereon. The attitude assumed by the State of South Carolina and the Government of the United States through its Chief Magistrate, forbodes a crisis which threatens the peace of society and the harmony of the Union, and which should be deplored by every one who loves his country and liberty. The existence of our Constitution and the integrity of the Union, require the instant exertion of that patriotism, forbearance and virtue, which have hitherto characterised the history of our Government. Omitting, on this occasion, to enter into the causes which have produced the present afflicting posture between one State and the Federal Government; this General Assembly now affectionately and solemnly appeals to the Congress of the United States, and to the State of South Carolina, for that forbearance, patriotism and virtue, which alone can restore, by mutual sacrifice of opinion, harmony, peace and prosperity to our common country. The only bonds of our Union, and the sole preservatives of rational and constitutional liberty, are a strict adherence on the part of the constituted authorities, to the principles of our Government-the affection of the people for that Government, and a firm persuasion of the equality and justice of its administration, aided by a spirit of forbearance on the part of those States who may differ from the opinion of the majority.

To this end the General Assembly of Alabama recommend to the Congress of the United States, a speedy modification of the