SENATE.]

Mr. Foot's Resolution.

it

[JAN. 25, 1830. South comes in, and in the most earnest manner represents honor of South Carolina-of that my constituents shall to you, that this measure, which we are told "is of no judge. If there be one State in this Union (and I say value to the East or the West," is "utterly destructive of not in a boastful spirit) that may challenge comparison our interests." We represent to you, that it has spread with any other for an uniform, zealous, ardent, and uncalruin and devastation through the land, and prostrated our culating devotion to the Union, that State is South Carohopes in the dust. We solemnly declare that we believe lina. Sir, from the very commencement of the Revoluthe system to be wholly unconstitutional, and a violation of tion, up to this hour, there is no sacrifice, however great, the compact between the States and the Union, and our she has not cheerfully made; no service she has ever brethren turn a deaf ear to our complaints, and refuse to hesitated to perform. She has adhered to you in your relieve us from a system "which not enriches them, but prosperity, but in your adversity she has clung to you makes us poor indeed." Good God! has it come to this? with more than filial affection. No matter what was the Do gentlemen hold the feelings and wishes of their breth-condition of her domestic affairs, though deprived of her ren at so cheap a rate, that they refuse to gratify them at resources, divided by parties, or surrounded by difficulties, so small a price? Do gentlemen value so lightly the peace the call of the country has been to her as the voice of and harmony of the country, that they will not yield a God. Domestic discord ceased at the sound--every man measure of this description to the affectionate entreaties became at once reconciled to his brethren, and the sons and earnest remonstrances of their friends? Do gentlemen of Carolina were all seen crowding together to the temple, estimate the value of the Union at so low a price, that they bringing their gifts to the altar of their common country. will not even make one effort to bind the States together What, sir, was the conduct of the South during the Rewith the cords of affection? And has it come to this? Is volution? Sir, I honor New England for her conduct in this the spirit in which this Government is to be admin- that glorious struggle. But great as is the praise which istered? If so, let me tell gentlemen the seeds of disso-belongs to her, I think at least equal honor is due to the lution are already sown, and our children will reap the South. They espoused the quarrel of their brethren bitter fruit. with a generous zeal, which did not suffer them to stop to

The honorable gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. calculate their interest in the dispute. Favorites of the WEBSTER] While he exonerates me personally from the mother country, possessed of neither ships nor scamen to charge, intimates that there is a party in the country who create commercial rivalship, they might have found in are looking to disunion. Sir, if the gentleman had stop-their situation a guarantee that their trade would be forped there, the accusation would "have passed by me as ever fostered and protected by Great Britain. But trampthe idle wind which I regard not." But, when he goes ling on all considerations, either of interest or of safety, on to give to his accusation a local habitation and a name, they rushed into the conflict, and, fighting for principle, by quoting the expression of a distinguished citizen of periled all in the sacred cause of freedom. Never was South Carolina, [Dr. Cooper] "that it was time for the there exhibited, in the history of the world, higher examSouth to calculate the value of the Union," and, in the ples of noble daring, dreadful suffering, and heroic endurlanguage of the bitterest sarcasm, adds, "surely then the ance, than by the whigs of Carolina, during that Revolu-Union cannot last longer than July, 1831," it is impossi-tion. The whole State, from the mountains to the sca, ble to mistake either the allusion or the object of the gen-was overrun by an overwhelming force of the enemy. tleman. Now I call upon every one who hears me to bear The fruits of industry perished on the spot where they witness that this controversy is not of my secking. The were produced, or were consumed by the foe. The Senate will do me the justice to remember, that, at the time" plains of Carolina" drank up the most precious blood this unprovoked and uncalled for attack was made upon of her citizens! Black and smoking ruins marked the the South, not one word had been uttered by me in dis-places which had been the habitations of her children! paragement of New England, nor had I made the most Driven from their homes, into the gloomy and almost imdistant allusion, either to the Senator from Massachusetts, penetrable swamps, even there the spirit of liberty suror the State he represents. But, sir, that gentleman has vived, and South Carolina (sustained by the example of thought proper, for purposes best known to himself, to her Sumpters and her Marions) proved by her conduct, strike the South through me, the most unworthy of her that, though her soil might be overrun, the spirit of her servants. He has crossed the border, he has invaded the people was invincible.

66

State of South Carolina, is making war upon her citi- But, sir, our country was soon called upon to engage in zens, and endeavoring to overthrow her principles and another revolutionary struggle, and that too was as truggle her institutions. Sir, when the gentleman provokes me for principle--I meanthe political revolution which dates to such a conflict, I meet him at the threshold. I will strug-back to '98, and which, if it had not been successfully gle while I have life, for our altars and our fire sides, and achieved, would have left us none of the fruits of the if God gives me strength, I will drive back the invader Revolution of '76. The revolution of '98 restored the discomfited. Nor shall I stop there. If the gentleman constitution, rescued the liberty of the citizen from the provokes the war, he shall have war. Sir, I will not stop grasp of those who were aiming at its life, and in the at the border; I will carry the war into the enemy's terri-emphatic language of Mr. Jefferson, "saved the constitutory, and not consent to lay down my arms, until I shall tion at its last gasp." And by whom was it achieved? By have obtained indemnity for the past, and security for the South, sir, aided only by the democracy of the North the future." It is with unfeigned reluctance that I enter and West. upon the performance of this part of my duty. I shrink I come now to the war of 1812--a war which I well realmost instinctively from a course, however necessary, member was called, in derision, (while its event was doubtwhich may have a tendency to excite sectional feelings, ful) the Southern war, and sometimes the Carolina war; and sectional jealousies. But, sir, the task has been forced but which is now universally acknowledged to have done upon me, and I proceed right onward to the performance more for the honor and prosperity of the country, than of my duty; be the consequences what they may, the re- all other events in our history put together. What, sir, sponsibility is with those who have imposed upon me this were the objects of that war?"Free trade and sailors' necessity. The Senator from Massachusetts has thought rights!" It was for the protection of Northern shipping proper to cast the first stone, and if he shall find, accord- and New England seamen that the country flew to arms. ing to a homely adage, "that he lives in a glass house," What interest had the South in that contest? If they had on his head be the consequences. The gentleman has sat down coldly to calculate the value of their interests inmade a great flourish about his fidelity to Massachusetts. volved in it, they would have found that they had every thing I shall make no professions of zeal for the interests and to lose and nothing to gain. But, sir, with that generous de

JAN. 25, 1830.]

Mr. Foot's Resolution.

[SENATE

votion to country so characteristic of the South, they in connexion with the war, and the events which immeonly asked if the rights of any portion of their fellow-diately preceded it. It will be recollected, sir, that our citizens had been invaded; and when told that Northern great causes of quarrel with Great Britain were her depreships and New England seamen had been arrested on the dations on Northern commerce, and the impressment of common highway of nations, they felt that the honor of New England seamen. From every quarter we were called their country was assailed; and, acting on that exalted upon for protection. Importunate as the West is now resentiment, which feels a stain like a wound," they re-presented to be, on another subject, the importunity of the solved to seek, in open war, for a redress of those injuries East on that occasion was far greater. I hold in my hands which it did not become-freemen to endure. Sir, the whole the evidence of the fact. Here are petitions, memorials, South, animated as by a common impulse, cordially united and remonstrances, from all parts of New England, setting in declaring and promoting that war. South Carolina sent forth the injustice, the oppressions, the depredations, the to your councils, as the advocates and supporters of that insults, the outrages, committed by Great Britain against war, the noblest of her sons. How they fulfilled that trust the unoffending commerce and seamen of New England, let a grateful country tell. Not a measure was adopted, and calling upon Congress for redress. Sir, I cannot stop to not a battle fought, not a victory won, which contributed read these memorials. In that from Boston, after stating in any degree to the success of that war, to which South- the alarming and extensive condemnation of our vessels ern counsels and Southern valor did not largely contribute. by Great Britain, which threatened "to sweep our comSir, since South Carolina is assailed, I must be suffered to merce from the face of the ocean," and "to involve our speak it to her praise, that, at the very moment when, in merchants in bankruptcy," they called upon the Governone quarter, we heard it solemnly proclaimed, "that it ment " to assert our rights and to adopt such measures as did not become a religious and moral people to rejoice at will support the dignity and honor of the United States." the victories of our army or our navy," her Legislature From Salem, we heard a language still more decisive; unanimously they call explicitly for an appeal to arms," and pledge "Resolved, That we will cordially support the Govern-their lives and property in support of any measures which inent in the vigorous prosecution of the war, until a Congress might adopt. From Newburyport, an appeal peace can be obtained on honorable terms; and we will was made "to the firmness and justice of the Government cheerfully submit to every privation that may be required to obtain compensation and protection." It was here, I of us, by our Goverament, for the accomplishment of think, that, when the war was declared, it was resolved this object." "to resist our own Government, even unto blood!"*

South Carolina redeemed that pledge. She threw open In other quarters, the common language of that day her treasury to the Government. She put at the absolute was, that our commerce and our scamen were entitled disposal of the officers of the United States all that she to protection, and that it was the duty of the Governpossessed-her men, her money, and her arms. She ap-ment to afford it at every hazard. The conduct of Great propriated half a million of dollars, on her own account, Britain, we were then told, was "an outrage upon our in defence of her maritime frontier; ordered a brigade of national independence." These clamors, which commencState troops to be raised; and when left to protect herselffed as early as January, 1806, were continued up to 1812. by her own means, never suffered the enemy to touch her In a message from the Governor of one of the New Engsoil, without being instantly driven off or captured. Such,land States, as late as the 10th October, 1811, this lansir, was the conduct of the South-such the conduct of guage is held: " Almanly and decisive course has become my own State in that dark hour" which tried men's souls." indispensable--a course to satisfy foreign nations that, When I look back and contemplate the spectacle exhi- while we desire peace, we have the means and the spirit bited, at that time, in another quarter of the Union, when to repel aggression. We are false to ourselves, when I think of the conduct of certains portions of New Eng-our commerce or our territory is invaded with impunity." land, and remember the part which was acted on that me- About this time, however, a remarkable change was morable occasion by the political associates of the gentle-observable in the tone and temper of those who had been man from Massachusetts-nay, when I follow that gentle-endeavoring to force the country into a war. The language man into the councils of the nation, and listen to his voice of complaint was changed into that of insult, and calls during the darkest period of the war, I am indeed as- for protection, converted into reproaches. "Smoke, tonished that he should venture to touch upon the topics smoke;" (says one writer) "my life on it our Executive which he has introduced into this debate. South Carolina have no more idea of declaring war, than my grandmoreproached by Massachusetts! And from whom does the ther." "The Committee of Ways and Means" (says accusation come? Not from the democracy of New Eng-another) "have come out with their Pandora's Box of Land: for they have been, in times past, as they are now, taxes, and yet nobody dreams of war." "Congress do the friends and allies of the South. No, sir, the accusa-not mean to declare war; they dare not." But why multion comes from that party whose acts, during the most tiply examples? An honorable member of the other trying and eventful period of our national history, were House, from the city of Boston, [Mr. Quincy] in a speech of such a character, that their own Legislature, but a few delivered on the 3d April, 1812, says, "neither promises, years ago, actually blotted them out from their records, nor threats, nor asseverations, nor oaths, will make me beas a stain upon the honor of the country. But how can lieve that you will go to war. The navigation States are they ever be blotted out from the recollections of any one sacrificed, and the spirit and character of the country proswho had a heart to feel, a mind to comprehend, and a trated by fear and avarice;" "you cannot," said the same memory to retain, the events of that day! Sir, I shall not gentleman on another occasion, "be kicked into a war.” attempt to write the history of the party in New England, Well, sir, the war at length came, and what did we beto which I have alluded--the war party in peace, and the hold! The very men who had been for six years clamorpeace party in war. That task I shall leave to some future ous for war, and for whose protection it was waged, bebiographer of Nathan Dane, and I doubt not it will be came at once equally clamorous against it. They had refound quite easy to prove that the peace party of Mas-ceived a miraculous visitation; a new light suddenly beamsachusetts were the only defenders of their country, during ed upon their minds; the scales fell from their eyes, and the war, and actually achieved all our victories by land it was discovered that the war was declared from "subserviency to France;" and that Congress and the ExecuIn the mean time, sir, and until that history shall tive "had sold themselves to Napoleon;" that Great be written, I propose, with the feeble and glimmering lights which I possess, to review the conduct of this party,

and sca.

Olive Branch, page 101.

SENATE.]

Mr. Foot's Resolution.

[JAN. 25, 1830.

But

Britain had, in fact, done us no essential injury; the country, to the recorded opinions and acts of public that she was "the bulwark of our religion;" that where assemblies, to the declaration and acknowledgments, since "she took one of our ships, she protected twenty;" and made, of the Executive and Legislature of Massachusetts that, if Great Britain had impressed a few of our seamen, herself.* it was because "she could not distinguish them from her Sir, the time has not been allowed me to trace this subown." And so far did this spirit extend, that a committee ject through, even if I had been disposed to do so. of the Massachusetts Legislature actually fell to calculation, I cannot refrain from referring to one or two documents and discovered, to their infinite satisfaction, but to the as- which have fallen in my way since this debate began. I tonishment of all the world beside, that only cleven Mas- read, sir, from the Olive Branch of Mathew Carey, in sachusetts sailors had ever been impressed. Never shall which are collected "the actings and doings" of the I forget the appeals that had been made to the sympathies peace party of New England, during the continuance of of the South, in behalf of the "thousands of impressed the embargo and the war. I know the Senator from Americans" who had been torn from their families and Massachusetts will respect the high authority of his politifriends, and "immured in the floating dungeons of Bri-cal friend and fellow laborer in the great cause of "dotain." The most touching pictures were drawn of the mestic industry."

hard condition of the American sailor, "treated like a

In page 301, et seq. 9 of this work, is a detailed account slave," forced to fight the battles of his enemies, "lashed of the measures adopted in Massachusetts during the war, to the mast to be shot at like a dog." But, sir, the very for the express purpose of embarrassing the financial opemoment we had taken up arms in their defence, it was rations of the Government, by preventing loans, and therediscovered that all these were mere "fictions of the by driving our rulers from their seats, and forcing the brain," and that the whole number of the State of Mas-country into a dishonorable peace. It appears that the sachusetts was but eleven; and that even these had been Boston banks commenced an operation by which a run "taken by mistake." Wonderful discovery! The Se- was to be made upon all the banks to the South; at the cretary of State had collected authentic lists of no less same time stopping their own discounts, the effect of than six thousand impressed Americans. Lord Castle-which was to produce a sudden and most alarming dimireagh himself acknowledged sixteen hundred. Calculations nution of the circulating medium, and universal distress on the basis of the number found on board of the Guer-over the whole country--a distress which they failed not riere, the Macedonian, the Java, and other British ships, to attribute to the "unholy war." (captured by the skill and gallantry of those heroes To such an extent was this system carried, that it apwhose achievements are the treasured monuments of their pears from a statement of the condition of the Boston banks, country's glory) fixed the number at seven thousand; made up in January, 1814, that with nearly five millions and yet, it seems, Massachusetts had lost but eleven! dollars of specie in their vaults, they had but two millions Eleven Massachusetts sailors taken by mistake! A cause of dollars of bills in circulation. It is added by Carey, that of war, indeed! Their ships, too, the capture of which at this very time an extensive trade was carried on in Brihad threatened "universal bankruptcy," it was discovered tish Government bills, for which specie was sent to Canada, that Great Britain was their friend and protector; "where for the payment of the British troops then laying waste she had taken one, she had protected twenty." Then our Northern frontier, and this too at the very moment was the discovery made, that subserviency to France, hos- when New England ships, sailing under British licences, tility to commerce, "a determination on the part of the (a trade declared to be lawful by the courts both of Great South and the West to break down the Eastern States," and Britain and Massachusetts) were supplying with provi especially, (as reported by a committee of the Massachu- sions those very armies destined for the invasion of our setts Legislature,) "to force the sons of commerce to popu- own shores. Sir, the author of the Olive Branch, with a late the wilderness," were the true causes of the war. But holy indignation, denounces these acts as "treasonable!" let us look a little further into the conduct of the peace party "giving aid and comfort to the enemy." of New England, at that important crisis. Whatever dif- low his example. But I will ask with what justice or ference of opinion might have existed as to the causes of propriety can the South be accused of disloyalty from that the war, the country had a right to expect that, when quarter. If we had any evidence that the Senator from once involved in the contest, all America would have cor- Massachusetts had admonished his brethren then, he dially united in its support. Sir, the war effected, in its might with a better grace assume the office of admonishprogress, a union of all parties at the South. But not so ing us now. in New England; there, great efforts were made to stir When I look at the measures adopted in Boston at that up the minds of the people to oppose it. Nothing was day, to deprive the Government of the necessary means left undone to embarrass the financial operations of the for carrying on the war, and think of the success and the Government, to prevent the enlistment of troops, to keep consequences of these measures, I feel my pride as an back the men and money of New England from the ser

I shall not fol

sentiment evinced in the late elections forms indeed a new eia in the

history of our Commonwealth. It is the triumph of reason over pas sion, of patriotism over party spirit. Massachusetts has returned to

We rejoice

vice of the Union, to force the President from his seat. In answer to an address of Governor Eustis, denouncing the conYes, sir, "the Island of Elba! or a halter!" were the al-duct of the peace party, during the war, the House of Representatives ternatives they presented to the excellent and venerable of Massachusetts, in June, 1323, says: "The change of the political James Madison. Sir, the war was further opposed by openly carrying on illicit trade with the enemy, by permitting that enemy to establish herself on the very soil of her first love, and is no longer a stranger in the Union, that, though, during the last war, such measures were adopted in this Massachusetts, and by opening a free trade between Great State, as occasioned double sacrifice of treasure and of life; covered Britain and America, with a separate custom house. Yes, the friends of the nation with huniiation and mourning, and fixed a stain on the page of our history; a redeeming spint has at length arisen sir, those who cannot endure the thought that we should to take away our reproach, and restore to us our good name, our rank insist on a free trade in time of profound peace, could among our sister States, and our just influence in the Umnou. without scruple claim and exercise the right of carrying believe that there are cases, when it is necessary we should wound Though we would not renew content:ons, or irritate wantonly, we on a free trade with the enemy in a time of war; and, fi-to heal. And we consider it among the first duties of the friends of nally, by getting up the renowned "Hartford Conven-our National Government, on this return of power, to disavow the untion," and preparing the way for an open resistance to warrantable course pursued by this State during the late was; and to hold up the measures of that period as beacons, that the present and the Government, and a separation of the States. Sir, if succeeding generations may shun that career which must inevitably I am asked for the proof of those things, I fearlessly ap-rminate in the destruction of the individual, or the party who pursues it; and may learn the important lesson that, in all times, peal to cotemporary history, to the public documents of the path of duty is the path of safety; and that it is never dangerous Olive Branch, pages 134, 291.

to rally around the standard of our country."-Note by Mr. II. +2d Dodson's Admiralty Reports, 48.-13th Mass, Reports, 20.

JAN. 25, 1830.]

Mr. Foot's Resolution.

[SENATE.

American humbled in the dust. Hear, sir, the language | Stroy them at pleasure.' Sir, in 1814, all these topics of that day; I read from pages 301 and 302 of the Olive were revived. Again we heard of "a Northern ConfedeBranch: "Let no man who wishes to continue the war, racy." "The slave States by themselves;" "the mounby active means, by vote or lending money, dare to tains are the natural boundary," we want neither "the counprostrate himself at the altar on the fast day." "Will sels nor the power of the West," &c. &c. The papers federalists subscribe to the loan? Will they lend money teemed with accusations against the South and the West, to our national rulers? It is impossible. First, because and the calls for a dissolution of all connexion with them of the principle, and secondly, because of principal and were loud and strong. I cannot consent to go through the interest." "Do not prevent the abusers of their trust disgusting details. But to show the height to which the from becoming bankrupt. Do not prevent them from spirit of disaffection was carried, I will take you to the tembecoming odious to the public, and being replaced by ple of the living God, and show you that sacred place "Any federalist who lends money to Go-(which should be devoted to the extension of "peace on vernment, must go and shake hands with James Madi- earth and good will towards men," where "one day's truce son, and claim fellowship with Felix Grundy. [I beg ought surely to be allowed to the dissensions and animosipardon of my honorable friend from Tennessee; but he is ties of mankind") converted into a fierce arena of political in good company. I had thought it was 'James Madison, strife, where, from the lips of the priest standing between Felix Grundy, and the Devil.'] Let him no more call the horns of the altar, there went forth the most terrible himself a federalist, and a friend to his country; he will denunciations against all who should be true to their counbe called by others, infamous," &c. try, in the hour of her utmost need.

better men. 99

Sir, the spirit of the people sunk under these appeals. "If you do not wish," said a reverend clergyman, in a Such was the effect produced by them on the public mind, sermon preached in Boston, on the 23d July, 1812, "to that the very agents of the Government (as appears become the slaves of those who own slaves, and who are from their public advertisements, now before me) could themselves the slaves of French slaves, you must either, not obtain loans, without a pledge that "the names of the in the language of the day, cut the connexion, or so far alsubscribers should not be known." Here are the adver- ter the national compact as to ensure to yourselves a due tisements: "The names of all subscribers (say Gilbert and share in the Government." (Olive Branch, page 319.) Dean, the brokers employed by Government) shall be "The Union," says the same writer, (page 320) has been known only to the undersigned." As if those who came long since virtually dissolved, and it is full time that this forward to aid their country in the hour of her utmost part of the disunited States should take care of itself." need, were engaged in some dark and foul conspiracy, they Another reverend gentleman, pastor of a church at Medwere assured that their names should not be known." ford, (page 321) issues his anathema-"let him stand acCan any thing show more conclusively the unhappy state cursed"--against all, all, who by their "personal services," of public feeling which prevailed at that day, than this sin- or loans of money, ," "conversation," or " "writing," or gle fact? Of the same character with these measures was "influence," give countenance or support to the unrighthe conduct of Massachusetts, in withholding her militia teous war, in the following terms: "that man is an accomfrom the service of the United States, and devising mea- plice in the wickedness; he loads his conscience with the sures for withdrawing her quota of the taxes, thereby at- blackest crimes; he brings the guilt of blood upon his soul, tempting, not merely to cripple the resources of the coun- and in the sight of God and his law he is a murderer!" try, but actually depriving the Government (as far as de- One or two more quotations, sir, and I shall have done. pended upon her) of all the means of carrying on the war: A reverend doctor of divinity, the pastor of a church at of the bone, and muscle, and sinews of war-" of man Byefield, Massachusetts, on the 7th of April, 1814, thus adand steel--the soldier and his sword." But it seems Mas-dresses his flock [321.] "The Israclites became weary of sachusetts was to reserve her resources for herself; she yeilding the fruit of their labor to pamper their splendid was to defend and protect her own shores. And how was tyrants. They left their political woes. They separated; that duty performed' In some places on the coast neu- where is our Moses? Where the rod of his miracles? trality was declared, and the enemy was suffered to invade Where is our Aaron? Alas! no voice from the burning the soil of Massachusetts, and allowed to occupy her ter- bush has directed them here."

ritory, until the peace, without one effort to rescue it from "We must trample on the mandates of despotism, or rehis grasp. Nay, more, while our own Government and mains slaves forever." [P. 322.] "You must drag the our rulers were considered as enemies, the troops of the chains of Virginian despotism, unless you discover some enemy were treated like friends; the most intimate com- other mode of escape." "Those Western States, which mercial relations were established with them, and main. have been violent for this abominable war, those States tained up to the peace. At this dark period of our nation- which have thirsted for blood-God has given them blood al affairs, where was the Senator from Massachusetts? How to drink." [323.]- -Sir, I can go ro further. The records were his political associates employed? Calculating the of the day are full of such sentiments, issued from value of the Union?" Yes, sir, that was the propitious mo- the press, spoken in public assemblies, poured out from ment, when our country stood alone, the last hope of the the sacred desk! God forbid, sir, that I should charge world, struggling for her existence against the colossal the people of Massachusetts with participating in these power of Great Britain, "concentrated in one mighty effort sentiments. The South and the West had there, their to crush us at a blow"--that was the chosen hour to revive friends-men who stood by their country, though encom the grand scheme of building up a great Northern Con- passed all around by their enemies. The Senator from federacy"--a scheme, which, it is stated in the work be- Massachusetts [Mr. SILSBEE] was one of them, the Senfore me, had its origin as far back as the year 1796, and ator from Connecticut [Mr. Foor] was another, and which appears never to have been entirely abandoned. In there are others now on this floor. The sentiments I the language of the writers of that day, (1796) "rather have read were the sentiments of a party embracing the than have a constitution such as the anti-Federalists were political associates of the gentleman from Massachusetts. contending for, [such as we now are contending for] the if they could only be found in the columns of a newspaUnion ought to be dissolved;" and to prepare the way for per, in a few occasional pamphlets, issued by men of inthat measure, the same methods were resorted to then, temperate feeling, I should not consider them as affording that have always been relied on for that purpose-exciting any evidence of the opinions even of the peace party of prejudice against the South. Yes, sir, our Northern bre- New England. But, sir, they were the common language thren were then told "that, if the negroes were good for food, their Southern masters would claim the right to de

66

Olive Branch, p. 267.

SENATE.]

Mr. Foot's Resolution.

[JAN. 25, 1830.

of that day; they pervaded the whole land; they were is- make a descent, which it was supposed we had no means sued from the legislative hall, from the pulpit, and the of resisting. In this awful state of our public affairs, press. Our books are full of them; and there is no man when the Government seemed almost to be tottering on its who now hears me, but knows, that they were the senti- base, when Great Britain, relieved from all her other enements of a party, by whose members they were promul-mies, had proclaimed her purpose of "reducing us to ungated. Indeed, no evidence of this would seem to be re-conditional submission," we beheld the peace party of quired, beyond the fact that such sentiments found their New England (in the language of the work before us) way even into the pulpits of New England. What must" pursuing a course calculated to do more injury to their be the state of public opinion, where any respectable country, and to render England more effective service, clergyman would venture to preach and to print sermons than all her armies." Those who could not find it in their containing the sentiments I have quoted? I doubt not the hearts to rejoice at our victories, sang te deum at the piety or moral worth of these gentlemen. I am told they King's Chapel in Boston, for the restoration of the Bourwere respectable and pious men. But they were men, bons. Those who could not consent to illuminate their and they "kindled in a common blaze." And now, sir, dwellings for the capture of the Guerriere, could give I must be suffered to remark, that, at this awful and me- visible tokens of their joy at the fall of Detroit. The "bealancholy period of our national history, the gentleman con fires" of their hills were lighted up, not for the enfrom Massachusetts, who now manifests so great a devo-couragement of their friends, but as signals to the enemy; tion to the Union, and so much anxiety lest it should be and in the gloomy hours of midnight, the very lights burnendangered from the South, was "with his brethren in Is-ed blue. Such were the dark and portentous signs of the rael." He saw all these things passing before his eyes-times, which ushered into being the renowned Hartford he heard these sentiments uttered all around him. I do Convention. That convention met, and from their pronot charge that gentleman with any participation in ceedings it appears that their chief object was to keep these acts, or with approving of these sentiments; but back the men and money of New England from the serI will ask why, if he was animated by the same sen-vice of the Union, and to effect radical changes in the Gotiments then, which he now professes, if he can "augur vernment; changes that can never be effected without disunion at a distance, and snuff up rebellion in every a dissolution of the Union. tainted breeze," why he did not, at that day, exert his great talents and acknowledged influence with the political associates by whom he was surrounded, (and who then, as now, looked up to him for guidance and direction) in allaying this general excitement, in pointing out to his deluded friends the value of the Union, in instructing them, that, instead of looking "to some prophet to lead them out from the land of Egypt," they should become It appears at p. 6, of "The Account," that by a vote of the House reconciled to their brethren, and unite with them in the of Representatives of Massachusetts [260 to 90] delegates to this convention were ordered 40 be appointed to consult upon the subj et "of support of a just and necessary war? Sir, the gentleman their public grievances and concerns," and upon the best means of must excuse me for saying, that, if the records of our coun-preserving their resources," and for procuring a revision of the contry afforded any evidence that he had pursued such a course, then, if we could find it recorded in the history of those times, that, like the immortal Dexter, he had breasted that mighty torrent which was sweeping before it all that was great and valuable in our political institutions; if like him he had stood by his country in opposition to his party; sir, we would, like Ittle children, listen to his cepts and abide by his counsels.

pre

Let us now, sir, look at their proceedings. I read from "A short account of the Hartford Convention," (written by one of its members) a very rare book, of which I was fortunate enough a few years ago to obtain a copy. [Here Mr. H. read from the proceedings.*]

It is innecessary to trace the matter farther, or to ask

stitution of the United States, more eff etually to secure the support and attachment of all the people, by placing all upon the basis of fair The convention assembled at Hartford, on the 15th December, 1814. On the next day it was

representation."

Resolved, That the most inviolable secrcey shall be observed by each member of this convention, including the Secretary, as to all propo sitions, debates, and proceedings thereof, until this injunction shall be suspended or altered.

On the 24th December, the committee appointed to prepare and report a general project of such measures as may be proper for the convention to adopt, reported, among other things:

3. That it is expedient to recommend to the several State Legislateres certam amendments to the constitution, viz:

As soon as the public mind was sufficiently prepared "1. That it was expedient to recommend to the Legislatures of the for the measure, the celebrated Hartford Convention was States, the adoption of the most effectual and decisive measures to got up; not as the act of a few unauthorized individuals, protect the militia and the States from the usurpations contained in but by authority of the Legislature of Massachusetts; and,hese proceedings." [The proceedings of Congress and the Execu live in relation to the Militia and the War.] as has been shown by the able historian of that conven- 2. That it was expedient also to prepare a statement exhibiting the tion, in accordance with the views and wishes of the par-ecessity which the improvidence and inability of the General Goty, of which it was the organ. Now, sir, I do not desire ernment have imposed upon the States of providing for their own de oice, and the ixapessibility of their discharging this duty, and at the to call in question the motives of the gentlemen who com-same time fulfiling the requisitions of the General Government, and posed that assembly: I know many of them to be in pri-alo to recommend to the Legislatures of the several States to make vate life accomplished and honorable men, and I doubt not the Government of the United States, with a view to some arrange provision for mutual defence, and to make an earnest application to there were some among them who did not perceive the ment whereby the States may be enabled to retain a portion of the taxdangerous tendency of their proceedings. I will even go imbus nt of expenses already incurred on account of the United s levied by Congress, for the purposes of self-defence, and for the further, and say, that, if the authors of the Hartford Con- Sales." vention believed that "gross, deliberate, and palpable violations of the constitution" had taken place, utterly destructive of their rights and interests, I should be the last man to deny their right to resort to any constitutional casures for redress. But, sir, in any view of the case, the time when, and the circumstances under which, that convention assembled, as well as the measures recommended, render their conduct, in my opinion, wholly in-maturized citizens to hold offices of trust, honor, or profit, ought to On the 19th December, 1814, it was proposed "that the capacity of defensible. Let us contemplate, for a moment, the spec-be restramed," &e. tacle then exhibited to the view of the world. I will not go over the disasters of the war, nor describe the difficul-dation of ceram measures (of the character of which we are not inties in which the Government was involved. It will be formed) to the States for their mutual defence, and having voted that recollected that its credit was nearly gone; Washington the junction of sterey, in regard to all the debates and proceedof the convention (except so far as relates to the report finally had fallen; the whole coast was blockaded; and an im-dopted) be continu d," the convention adjourned sine die, but (as it mense force, collected in the West Indies, was about to was supposed) to meet again when circumstances should require it.Note by Mr. H.

That the power to declare or make war by the Congress of the net States be restricted.

That it is expedient to attempt to make provision for restraining admit them into the Union. Congress in the exercise of an unlimited power to make new States and

That an amendment be proposed respecting slave representation and slave taxation."

The subsequent proceedings are not given at large. But it scems that the report of the committee was adopted, and also a recommen