Ifcongress,inregulatingcommerce,shouldpassanyact,theobjectofwhichshouldbetocontrolstatelegislationoversuchnavigablestreamsorcreeks,therewouldbelittledifficultyinsaying,thatastatelawinconflictwithsuchanactwouldbevoid。Butifcongresshaspassednogeneralorspecialactonthesubject,theinvalidityofsuchastateactmustbeplacedentirelyuponitsrepugnancytothepowertoregulatecommerceinitsdormantMate。Undersuchcircumstances,itwouldbedifficulttoaffirm,thatthesovereigntyofastate,actingonsubjectswithinthereachofotherpowers,besidethatofregulatingcommerce,andwhichbelongedtoitsgeneralterritorialjurisdiction,wouldbeinterceptedbytheexclusivepowerofcommerce,unexercisedbycongress,overthesamesubjectmatter。
Thevalueofthepropertyonthebanksofsuchstreamsandcreeksmaybemateriallyenhancedbyexcludingthewatersfromthemandtheadjacentlowandmarshygrounds,andthehealthoftheinhabitantsbeimproved。
Measurescalculatedtoproducetheseobjects,providedtheydonotcomeintocollisionwiththepowerofthegeneralgovernment,areundoubtedlywithinthose,whicharereservedtothestates。43
§;1070。Inthenextplace,towhatextent,andforwhatobjectsandpurposesthepowertoregulatecommercemaybeconstitutionallyapplied。
§;1071。Andfirst,amongthestates。
Itisnotdoubted,thatitextendstotheregulationofnavigation,andtothecoastingtradeandfisheries,within,aswellaswithoutanystate,whereveritisconnectedwiththecommerceorintercoursewithanyotherstate,orwithforeignnations。44ItextendstotheregulationandgovernmentofseamenonboardofAmericanships;andtoconferringprivilegesuponshipsbuiltandownedintheUnitedStatesindomestic,aswellasforeigntrade。45Itextendstoquarantinelaws,andpilotagelaws,andwrecksofthesea。46Itextends,aswelltothenavigationofvesselsengagedincarryingpassengers,andwhethersteamvesselsorofanyotherdescription,astothenavigationofvesselsengagedintrafficandgeneralcoastingbusiness。47Itextendstothelayingofembargoes,aswellondomestic,asonforeignvoyages。48Itextendstotheconstructionoflight—houses,theplacingofbuoysandbeacons,theremovalofobstructionstonavigationincreeks,rivers,sounds,andbays,andtheestablishmentofsecuritiestonavigationagainsttheinroadsoftheocean。Itextendsalsotothedesignationofparticularportorportsofentryanddeliveryforthepurposesofforeigncommerce。49Thesepowershavebeenactuallyexertedbythenationalgovernmentunderasystemoflaws,manyofwhichcommencedwiththeearlyestablishmentoftheconstitution;andtheyhavecontinuedunquestioneduntoourday,ifnottotheutmostrangeoftheirreach,atleasttothatoftheirordinaryapplication。50
§;1072。Manyofthelikepowershavebeenappliedintheregulationofforeigncommerce。ThecommercialsystemoftheUnitedStateshasalsobeenemployedsometimesforthepurposeofrevenue;sometimesforthepurposeofprohibition;sometimesforthepurposeofretaliationandcommercialreciprocity;sometimestolayembargoes;51sometimestoencouragedomesticnavigation,andtheshippingandmercantileinterestbybounties,bydiscriminatingduties,andbyspecialpreferencesandprivileges;52andsometimestoregulateintercoursewithaviewtomerepoliticalobjects,suchastorepelaggressions,increasethepressureofwar,orvindicatetherightsofneutralsovereignty。Inallthesecases,therightanddutyhavebeenconcededtothenationalgovernmentbytheunequivocalvoiceofthepeople。
§;1073。Aquestionhasbeenrecentlymade,whethercongresshaveaconstitutionalauthoritytoapplythepowertoregulatecommerceforthepurposeofencouragingandprotectingdomesticmanufactures。Itisnotdenied,thatcongressmay,incidentally,initsarrangementsforrevenue,ortocountervailforeignrestrictions,encouragethegrowthofdomesticmanufactures。Butitisearnestlyandstrenuouslyinsisted,that,underthecolourofregulatingcommerce,congresshavenorightpermanentlytoprohibitanyimportations,ortotaxanyunreasonablyforthepurposeofsecuringthehomemarkettothedomesticmanufacturer,astheytherebydestroythecommerceentrustedtothemtoregulate,andfosteraninterest,withwhichtheyhavenoconstitutionalpowertointerfere。54ThisopinionconstitutestheleadingdoctrineofseveralstatesintheUnionatthepresentmoment;andismaintained,asvitaltotheexistenceoftheUnion。Ontheotherhand,itisasearnestlyandstrenuouslymaintained,thatcongressdoespossesstheconstitutionalpowertoencourageandprotectmanufacturesbyappropriateregulationsofcommerce;andthattheoppositeopinionisdestructiveofallthepurposesoftheUnion,andwouldannihilateitsvalue。
§;1074。Undersuchcircumstances,itbecomesindispensabletoreviewthegrounds,uponwhichthedoctrineofeachpartyismaintained,andtosiftthemtothebottom;sinceitcannotbedisguised,thatthecontroversystillagitatesallAmerica,andmarksthedivisionsofpartybythestrongestlines,bothgeographicalandpolitical,whichhaveeverbeenseensincetheestablishmentofthenationalgovernment。
§;1075。Thereasoning,bywhichthedoctrineismaintained,thatthepowertoregulatecommercecannotbeconstitutionallyapplied,asameans,directlytoencouragedomesticmanufactures,hasbeeninpartalreadyadvertedtoinconsideringtheextentofthepowertolaytaxes。Itisproper,however,topresentitentireinitspresentconnexion。
Itistothefollowingeffect。?Theconstitutionisoneoflimitedandenumeratedpowers;andnoneofthemcanberightfullyexercised。beyondthescopeoftheobjects,specifiedinthosepowers。Itisnotdisputed,that,whenthepowerisgiven,alltheappropriatemeanstocarryitintoeffectareincluded。Neitherisitdisputed,thatthelayingofdutiesis,ormaybeanappropriatemeansofregulatingcommerce。Butthequestionisaverydifferentone,whether,underpretenceofanexerciseofthepowertoregulatecommerce,congressmayinfactimposedutiesforobjectswhollydistinctfromcommerce。Thequestioncomestothis,whetherapower,exclusivelyfortheregulationofcommerce,isapowerfortheregulationofmanufactures?Thestatementofsuchaquestionwouldseemtoinvolveitsownanswer。Canapower,grantedforonepurpose,betransferredtoanother?Ifitcan,whereisthelimitationintheconstitution?Arenotcommerceandmanufacturesasdistinct,ascommerceandagriculture?Iftheyare,howcanapowertoregulateonearisefromapowertoregulatetheother?Itistrue,thatcommerceandmanufacturesare,ormaybe,intimatelyconnectedwitheachother。Aregulationofonemayinjuriouslyorbeneficiallyaffecttheother。Butthatisnotthepointincontroversy。Itis,whethercongresshasarighttoregulatethat,whichisnotcommittedtoit,underapower,whichiscommittedtoit,simplybecausethereis,ormaybeanintimateconnexionbetweenthepowers。Ifthiswereadmitted,theenumerationofthepowersofcongresswouldbewhollyunnecessaryandnugatory。Agriculture,colonies,capital,machinery,thewagesoflabour,theprofitsofstock,therentsofland,thepunctualperformanceofcontracts,andthediffusionofknowledgewouldallbewithinthescopeofthepower;forallofthembearanintimaterelationtocommerce。Theresultwouldbe,thatthepowersofcongresswouldembracethewidestextentoflegislativefunctions,totheutterdemolitionofallconstitutionalboundariesbetweenthestateandnationalgovernments。Whendutiesarelaid,notforpurposesofrevenue,butofretaliationandrestriction,tocountervailforeignrestrictions,theyarestrictlywithinthescopeofthepower,asaregulationofcommerce。
Butwhen。laidtoencouragemanufactures,theyhavenothingtodowithit。Thepowertoregulatemanufacturesisnomoreconfidedtocongress,thanthepowertointerferewiththesystemsofeducation,thepoorlaws,ortheroadlawsofthestates。Itisnotorious,that,intheconvention,anattemptwasmadetointroduceintotheconstitutionapowertoencouragemanufactures;butitwaswithheld。55Insteadofgrantingthepowertocongress,permissionwasgiventothestatestoimposeduties,withtheconsentofthatbody,toencouragetheirownmanufactures;andthus,inthetruespiritofjustice,imposingtheburthenonthose,whoweretobebenefited。Itistrue,thatcongressmay,incidentally,whenlayingdutiesforrevenue,consulttheotherinterestsofthecountry。Theymaysoarrangethedetails,asindirectlytoaidmanufactures。
Andthisisthewholeextent,towhichcongresshasevergoneuntil。thetariffs,whichhavegivenrisetothepresentcontroversy。Theformerprecedentsofcongressarenot,evenifadmittedtobeauthoritative,applicabletothequestionnowpresented。56
§;1076。Thereasoningofthose,whomaintainthedoctrine,thatcongresshasauthoritytoapplythepowertoregulatecommercetothepurposeofprotectingandencouragingdomesticmanufactures,istothefollowingeffect。Thepowertoregulatecommerce,beinginitstermsunlimited,includesallmeansappropriatetotheend,andallmeans,which,havebeenusuallyexertedunderthepower。Noonecandoubtordeny,thatapowertoregulatetradeinvolvesapowertotaxit。Itisafamiliarmode,recognisedinthepracticeofallnations,andwasknownandadmittedbytheUnitedStates,whiletheywerecolonies,andhaseversincebeenacteduponwithoutoppositionorquestion。TheAmericancolonieswhollydeniedtheauthorityoftheBritishparliamenttotaxthem,exceptasaregulationofcommerce;buttheyadmittedthisexerciseofpower,aslegitimateandunquestionable。Thedistinctionwaswithdifficultymaintainedinpracticebetweenlawsfortheregulationofcommercebywayoftaxation,andlaws,whichweremadeformeremonopoly,orrestriction,whentheyincidentallyproducedrevenue。57Anditiscertain,thatthemainandadmittedobjectofparliamentaryregulations。oftradewiththecolonieswastheencouragementofmanufacturesinGreat—Britain。
Othernationshave,inlikemanner,forlikepurposes,exercisedthelikepower。So,thatthereisnonoveltyintheuseofthepower,andnostretchintherangeofthepower。
§;1077。Indeed,theadvocatesoftheoppositedoctrineadmit,thatthepowermaybeapplied,soasincidentallytogiveprotectiontomanufactures,whenrevenueistheprincipaldesign;
andthatitmayalsobeappliedtocountervailtheinjuriousregulationsofForeignpowers,whenthereisnodesignofrevenue。Theseconcessionsadmit,then,thattheregulationsofcommercearenotwhollyforpurposesofrevenue,orwhollyconfinedtothepurposesofcommerce,consideredperse。Ifthisbetrue,thenotherobjectsmayenterintocommercialregulations;
andifso,whatrestraintisthere,astothenatureorextentoftheobjects,towhichtheymayreach,whichdoesnotresolveitselfintoaquestionofexpediencyandpolicy?Itmaybeadmitted,thatapower,givenforonepurpose,cannotbepervertedtopurposeswhollyopposite,orbesideitslegitimatescope。Butwhatperversionisthereinapplyingapowertotheverypurposes,towhichithasbeenusuallyapplied?Undersuchcircumstances,doesnotthegrantofthepowerwithoutrestrictionconcede,thatitmaybelegitimatelyappliedtosuchpurposes?Ifadifferentintenthadexisted,wouldnotthatintentbemanifestedbysomecorrespondinglimitation?
§;1078。Nowitiswellknown,thatincommercialandmanufacturingnations,thepowertoregulatecommercehasembracedpracticallytheencouragementofmanufactures。Itisbelieved,thatnotasingleexceptioncanbenamed。So,inanespecialmanner,thepowerhasalwaysbeenunderstoodinGreat—Britain,fromwhichwederiveourparentage,ourlaws,ourlanguage,andournotionsuponcommercialsubjects。SuchwasconfessedlythenotionofthedifferentstatesintheUnionundertheconfederation,andbeforetheformationofthepresentconstitution。Oneknownobjectofthepolicyofthemanufacturingstatesthenwas,theprotectionandencouragementoftheirmanufacturesbyregulationsofcommerce。58Andtheexerciseofthispowerwasasourceofconstantdifficultyanddiscontent;notbecauseimproperofitself;butbecauseitboreinjuriouslyuponthecommercialarrangementsofotherstates。Thewantofuniformityintheregulationsofcommercewasasourceofperpetualstrifeanddissatisfaction,ofinequalities,andrivalries,andretaliationsamongthestates。Whentheconstitutionwasframed,nooneeverimagined,thatthepowerofprotectionofmanufactureswastobetakenawayfromallthestates,andyetnotdelegatedtotheUnion。Theverysuggestionwouldofitselfhavebeenfataltotheadoptionoftheconstitution。Themanufacturingstateswouldneverhaveaccededtoituponanysuchterms;andtheynevercould,withoutthepower,havesafelyaccededtoit;foritwouldhavesealedtheirruin。Thesamereasoningwouldapplytotheagriculturalstates;fortheregulationofcommerce,withaviewtoencouragedomesticagriculture,isjustasimportant,andjustasvitaltotheinterestsofthenation,andjustasmuchanapplicationofthepower,astheprotectionorencouragementofmanufactures。Itwouldhavebeenstrangeindeed,ifthepeopleoftheUnitedStateshadbeensolicitoussolelytoadvanceandencouragecommerce,withatotaldisregardoftheinterestsofagricultureandmanufactures,whichhad,atthetimeoftheadoptionoftheconstitution,anunequivocalpreponderancethroughouttheUnion。Itismanifestfromcontemporaneousdocuments,thatoneobjectoftheconstitutionwas,toencouragemanufacturesandagriculturebythisveryuseofthepower。59
§;1079。Theterms,then,oftheconstitutionaresufficientlylargetoembracethepower;thepracticeofothernations,andespeciallyofGreat—BritainandoftheAmericanstates,hasbeentouseitinthismanner;andthisexerciseofitwasoneoftheverygrounds,uponwhichtheestablishmentoftheconstitutionwasurgedandvindicated。
Theargument,then,initsfavourwouldseemtobeabsolutelyirresistibleunderthisaspect。Butthereareotherveryweightyconsiderations,whichenforceit。
§;1080。Inthefirstplace,ifcongressdoesnotpossessthepowertoencouragedomesticmanufacturesbyregulationsofcommerce,thepowerisannihilatedforthewholenation。Thestatesaredeprivedofit。Theyhavemadeavoluntarysurrenderofit;andyetitexistsnotinthenationalgovernment。Itisthenamerenonentity。
Suchapolicy,voluntarilyadoptedbyafreepeople,insubversionofsomeoftheirdearestrightsandinterests,wouldbemostextraordinaryinitself,withoutanyassignablemotiveorreasonforsogreatasacrifice,andutterlywithoutexampleinthehistoryoftheworld。Nomancandoubt,thatdomesticagricultureandmanufacturesmaybemostessentiallypromotedandprotectedbyregulationsofcommerce。Nomancandoubt,thatitisthemostusual,andgenerallythemostefficientmeansofproducingthoseresults。Nomancanquestion,thatinthesegreatobjectsthedifferentstatesofAmericahaveasdeepastake,andasvitalinterests,asanyothernation。Why,then,shouldthepowerbesurrenderedandannihilated?Itwouldproducethemostseriousmischiefsathome;andwouldsecurethemostcompletetriumphoverusbyforeignnations。Itwouldintroduceandperpetuatenationaldebility,ifnotnationalruin。Aforeignnationmight,asaconqueror,imposeuponusthisrestraint,asabadgeofdependence,andasacrificeofsovereignty,tosubserveitsowninterests;butthatweshouldimposeituponourselves,isinconceivable。Theachievementofourindependencewasalmostworthless,ifsuchasystemwastobepursued。Itwouldbeineffectaperpetuationofthatverysystemofmonopoly,ofencouragementofforeignmanufactures,anddepressionofdomesticindustry,whichwassomuchcomplainedofduringourcolonialdependence;andwhichkeptallAmericainastateofpoverty,andslavishdevotiontoBritishinterests。
Undersuchcircumstances,theconstitutionwouldbeestablished,notforthepurposesavowedinthepreamble,butfortheexclusivebenefitandadvancementofforeignnations,toaidtheirmanufactures,andsustaintheiragriculture。Supposecotton,rice,tobacco,wheat,corn,sugar,andotherrawmaterialscouldbe,orshouldhereafterbe,abundantlyproducedinforeigncountries,underthefosteringhandsoftheirgovernments,bybountiesandcommercialregulations,soastobecomecheaperwithsuchaidsthanourown;areallourmarketstobeopenedtosuchproductswithoutanyrestraint,simplybecausewemaynotwantrevenue,totheruinofourproductsandindustry?IsAmericareadytogiveeverythingtoEurope,withoutanyequivalent;andtakeinreturnwhateverEuropemaychoosetogive,uponitsownterms?Themostservileprovincialdependencecouldnotdomoreevils。Ofwhatconsequencewoulditbe,thatthenational。
governmentcouldnottaxourexports,ifforeigngovernmentsmighttaxthemtoanunlimitedextent,soastofavourtheirown,andthustosupplyuswiththesamearticlesbytheoverwhelmingdepressionofourownbyforeigntaxation?Whenitisrecollected,withwhatextremediscontentandreluctantobediencetheBritishcolonialrestrictionswereenforcedinthemanufacturingandnavigatingstates,whiletheywerecolonies,itisincredible,thattheyshouldbewillingtoadoptagovernment,Whichshould,ormightentailuponthemequalevilsinperpetuity。Commerceitselfwouldultimatelybeasgreatasuffererbysuchasystem,astheotherdomesticinterests。Itwouldlanguish,ifitdidnotperish。Letanymanaskhimself,ifNew—England,ortheMiddlestateswouldeverhaveconsentedtoratifyaconstitution,whichwouldaffordnoprotectiontotheirmanufacturesorhomeindustry。Iftheconstitutionwasratifiedunderthebelief,sedulouslypropagatedonallsides,thatsuchprotectionwasafforded,woulditnotnowbeafrauduponthewholepeopletogiveadifferentconstructiontoitspowers?
§;1081。Itisidletosay,thatwiththeconsentofcongress,thestatesmaylaydutiesonimportsorexports,tofavourtheirowndomesticmanufactures。Inthefirstplace,ifcongresscouldconstitutionallygivesuchconsentforsuchapurpose,whichhasbeendoubted;60theywouldhaveafighttorefusesuchconsent,andwouldcertainlyrefuseit,iftheresultwouldbewhattheadvocatesoffreetradecontendfor。Inthenextplace,itwouldbeutterlyimpracticablewithsuchconsenttoprotecttheirmanufacturesbyanysuchlocalregulations。Tobeofanyvaluetheymustbegeneral,anduniformthroughthenation。Thisisnotamatteroftheory。Ourwholeexperienceundertheconfederationestablishedbeyondallcontroversytheutterlocalfutility,andeventhegeneralmischiefsofindependentstatelegislationuponsuchasubject。Itfurnishedoneofthestrongestgroundsfortheestablishmentoftheconstitution。61
§;1082。Inthenextplace,ifrevenuebethesolelegitimateobjectofanimpost,andtheencouragementofdomesticmanufacturesbenotwithinthescopeofthepowerofregulatingtrade,itwouldfollow,ashasbeenalreadyhinted,thatnomonopolizingorunequalregulationsofforeignnationscouldbecounteracted。Undersuchcircumstances,neitherthestaplearticlesofsubsistence,northeessentialimplementsforthepublicsafety,couldbeadequatelyensuredorprotectedathomebyourregulationsofcommerce。Thedutymightbewhollyunnecessaryforrevenue;andincidentally,itmightevencheckrevenue。But,ifcongressmay,inarrangementsforrevenue,incidentallyanddesignedlyprotectdomesticmanufactures,whatgroundistheretosuggest,thattheymaynotincorporatethisdesignthroughthewholesystemofduties,andselectandarrangethemaccordingly?Thereisnoconstitutionalmeasure,bywhichtograduate,howmuchshallbeassessedforrevenue,andhowmuchforencouragementofhomeindustry。Andnosystemeveryetadoptedhasattempted,andinallprobabilitynonehereafteradoptedwillattempt,whollytosevertheoneobjectfromtheother。Theconstitutionalobjectioninthisviewispurelyspeculative,regardingonlyfuturepossibilities。
§;1083。Butifitbeconceded,asitis,thatthepowertoregulatecommerceincludesthepoweroflayingdutiestocountervailtheregulationsandrestrictionsofforeignnations,then,whatlimitsaretobeassignedtothisuseofthepower?62Iftheircommercialregulations,eitherdesignedlyorincidentally,dopromotetheirownagricultureandmanufactures,andinjuriouslyaffectours,whymaynotcongressapplyaremedycoextensivewiththeevil?Ifcongresshave,ascannotbedenied,thechoiceofthemeans,theymaycountervailtheregulations,notonlybytheexerciseofthelextalionisinthesameway,butinanyotherwayconducivetothesameend。IfGreatBritainbycommercialregulationsrestrictstheintroductionofourstapleproductsandmanufacturesintoherownterritories,andleviesprohibitoryduties,whymaynotcongressapplytheSameruletoherstapleproductsandmanufactures,andsecurethesamemarkettoourselves?Thetruthis,thatassoonastherighttoretaliateforeignrestrictionsorforeignpolicybycommercialregulationsisadmitted,thequestion,inwhatmanner,andtowhatextent,itshallbeapplied,isamatteroflegislativediscretion,andnotofconstitutionalauthority。Whenevercommercialrestrictionsandregulationsshallceaseallovertheworld,sofarastheyfavourthenationadoptingthem,itwillbetimeenoughtoconsider,whatAmericaoughttodoinherownregulationsofcommerce,whicharedesignedtoprotectherownindustryandcounteractsuchfavoritism。Itwillthenbecomeaquestion,notofpower,butofpolicy。Suchastateofthingshasneveryetexisted。
Infacttheconcession,thatthepowertoregulatecommercemayembraceotherobjects,thanrevenue,oreventhancommerceitself,isirreconcilablewiththefoundationoftheargumentontheotherside。
§;1084。Besides;thepoweristoregulatecommerce。Andinwhatmannerregulateit?Whydoesthepowerinvolvetherighttolayduties?Simply,becauseitisacommonmeansofexecutingthepower。Ifso,whydoesnotthesamerightexistastoallothermeansequallycommonandappropriate?Whydoesthepowerinvolvearight,notonlytolayduties,buttolaydutiesforrevenue,andnotmerelyfortheregulationandrestrictionofcommerce,consideredperse?
Nootheranswercanbegiven,butthatrevenueisanincidenttosuchanexerciseofthepower。Itflowsfrom,anddoesnotcreatethepower。Itmayconstitutethemotivefortheexerciseofthepower,justasanyothercausemay;asforinstance,theprohibitionofforeigntrade,ortheretaliationofforeignmonopoly;butitdoesnotconstitutethepower。
§;1085。Now,themotiveofthegrantofthepowerisnotevenalludedtointheconstitution。Itisnotevenstated,thatcongressshallhavepowertopromoteandencouragedomesticnavigationandtrade。Apowertoregulatecommerceisnotnecessarilyapowertoadvanceitsinterests。Itmayingivencasessuspenditsoperationsandrestrictitsadvancementandscope。Yetnomaneveryetdoubtedtherightofcongresstolaydutiestopromoteandencouragedomesticnavigation,whetherintheformoftonnageduties,orotherpreferencesandprivileges,eitherintheforeigntrade,orcoastingtrade,orfisheries。63Itisascertain,asanythinghumancanbe,thatthesoleobjectofcongress,insecuringthevastprivilegestoAmericanbuiltships,bysuchpreferences,andprivileges,andtonnageduties,was,toencouragethedomesticmanufactureofships,andallthedependentbranchesofbusiness。64Itspeaksoutinthelanguageofalltheirlaws,andhasbeenasconstantlyavowed,andactedon,asanysinglelegislativepolicyeverhasbeen。Nooneeverdreamed,thatrevenueconstitutedtheslightestingredientintheselaws。Theywerepurelyfortheencouragementofhomemanufactures,andhomeartisans,andhomepursuits。Uponwhatgroundscancongressconstitutionallyapplythepowertoregulatecommercetoonegreatclassofdomesticmanufactures,whichdoesnotinvolvetherighttoencourageall?Ifitbesaid,thatnavigationisapartofcommerce,thatistrue。Butapowertoregulatenavigationnomoreincludesapowertoencouragethemanufactureofshipsbytonnageduties,thananyothermanufacture。Whynotextendittotheencouragementofthegrowthandmanufactureofcottonandhempforsailsandrigging;oftimber,boards,andmasts;oftar,pitch,andturpentine;
ofironandwool;ofsheetingsandshirtings;ofartisansandmechanics,howeverremotelyconnectedwithit?Therearemanyproductsofagricultureandmanufactures,whichareconnectedwiththeprosperityofcommerceasintimately,asdomesticshipbuilding。Iftheonemaybeencouraged,asaprimarymotiveinregulationsofcommerce,whymaynottheothers?Thetruthis,thattheencouragementofdomesticshipbuildingiswithinthescopeofthepowertoregulatecommerce,simply,becauseitisaknownandordinarymeansofexercisingthepower。Itisoneofmany,andmaybeusedlikeallothers。accordingtolegislativediscretion。Themotivetotheexerciseofapowercanneverformaconstitutionalobjectiontotheexerciseofthepower。
§;1086。Here,then,isacaseoflayingduties,anordinarymeansusedinexecutingthepowertoregulatecommerce;
howcanitbedeemedunconstitutional?Ifitbesaid,thatthemotiveisnottocollectrevenue,whathasthattodowiththepower?Whenanactisconstitutional,asanexerciseofapower,canitbeunconstitutionalfromthemotives,withwhichitispassed?Ifitcan,thentheconstitutionalityofanactmustdepend,notuponthepower,butuponthemotivesofthelegislature。Itwillfollow,asaconsequence,thatthesameactpassedbyonelegislaturewillbeconstitutional,andbyanotherunconstitutional。
Nay,itmightbeunconstitutional,aswellfromitsomissionsasitsenactments,sinceifitsomissionsweretofavourmanufactures,themotivewouldcontaminatethewholelaw。Suchadoctrinewouldbenovelandabsurd。Itwouldconfuseanddestroyallthetestsofconstitutionalrightsandauthorities。Congresscouldneverpassanylawwithoutaninquisitionintothemotivesofeverymember;andeventhen,theymightbere—examinable。Besides;whatpossiblemeanscantherebeofmakingsuchinvestigations?Themotivesofmanyofthemembersmaybe,naymustbeutterlyunknown,andincapableofascertainmentbyanyjudicialorotherinquiry:theymaybemixedupinvariousmannersanddegress;theymaybeoppositeto,orwhollyindependentofeachother。
Theconstitutionwouldthusdependuponprocessesutterlyvague,andincomprehensible;
andthewrittenintentofthelegislatureuponitswordsandacts,thelexscripta,wouldbecontradictedorobliteratedbyconjecture,andparoldeclarations,andfleetingreveries,andheatedimaginations。
Nogovernmentonearthcouldrestforamomentonsuchafoundation。Itwouldbeaconstitutionofsandheapedupanddissolvedbythefluxandrefluxofeverytideofopinion。Everyactofthelegislaturemustthereforebejudgedoffromitsobjectandintent,astheyareembodiedinitsprovisions;
andifthelatterarewithinthescopeofadmittedpowers,theactmustbeconstitutional,whetherthemotiveforitwerewise,orjust,orotherwise。
Themannerofapplyingapowermaybeanabuseofit;butthisdoesnotprove,thatitisunconstitutional。
§;1087。Passingbytheseconsiderations,letthepracticeofthegovernmentandthedoctrinesmaintainedbythose,whohaveadministeredit,bedeliberatelyexamined;andtheywillbefoundtobeinentireconsistencywiththisreasoning。Theveryfirstcongress,thateversatundertheconstitution,composedinaconsiderabledegreeofthose,whohadframed,orassistedinthediscussionofitsprovisionsinthestateconventions,deliberatelyadoptedthisviewofthepower。
Andwhatismostremarkable,uponasubjectofdeepinterestandexcitement,whichatthetimeoccasionedlongandvehementdebates,notasinglesyllableofdoubtwasbreathedfromanyquarteragainsttheconstitutionalityofprotectingagricultureandmanufacturesbylayingduties,althoughtheintentiontoprotectandencouragethemwasconstantlyavowed。65Nay,itwascontendedtobeaparamountduty,uponthefaithfulfulfillmentofwhichtheconstitutionhadbeenadopted,andtheomissionofwhichwouldbeapoliticalfraud,withoutawhisperofdissentfromanyside。66ItwasdemandedbythepeoplefromvariouspartsoftheUnion;andwasresistedbynone。67Yet,statejealousywasnevermorealivethanatthisperiod,andstateinterestsnevermoreactivelymingledinthedebatesofcongress。Thetwogreatparties,whichafterwardssomuchdividedthecountryuponthequestionofaliberalandstrictconstructionoftheconstitution,werethendistinctlyformed,andproclaimedtheiropinionswithfirmnessandfreedom。If,therefore,therehadbeenapointofdoubt,onwhichtohanganargument,itcannotbequestioned,butthatitwouldhavebeenbroughtintothearrayofopposition。Suchasilence,undersuchcircumstances,ismostpersuasiveandconvincing。
§;1088。Theverypreambleofthisact68thesecondpassedbycongress
is,"Whereasitisnecessaryforthesupportofthegovernment,forthedischargeofthedebtsoftheUnitedStates,andtheencouragementandprotectionofmanufactures,thatdutiesbelaidongoods,wares,andmerchandisesimported,Beitenacted,"&;c。69Yet,notasolitaryvoicewasraisedagainstit。Theright,andtheduty,topasssuchlawswas,indeed,takensomuchforgranted,thatinsomeofthemostelaborateexpositionsofthegovernmentuponthesubjectofmanufactures,itwasscarcelyalludedto。70TheFederalistitself,dealingwitheveryshadowofobjectionagainsttheconstitution,neveroncealludestosuchaone;butincidentallycommendsthispower,asleadingtobeneficialresultsonalldomesticinterests。71Everysuccessivecongresssincethattimehasconstantlyacteduponthesystemthroughallthechangesofpartyandlocalinterests。Everysuccessiveexecutivehassanctionedlawsonthesubject;andmostofthemhaveactivelyrecommendedtheencouragementofmanufacturestocongress。72Untilaveryrecentperiod,nopersoninthepubliccouncilsseriouslyrelieduponanyconstitutionaldifficulty。Andevennow,whenthesubjecthasbeenagitated,anddiscussedwithgreatabilityandzealthroughouttheUnion,notmorethanfivestateshaveexpressedanopinionagainsttheconstitutionalright,whileithasreceivedanunequivocalsanctionintheotherswithanalmostunexampleddegreeofunanimity。Andthistoo,whenin,mostotherrespectsthesestateshavebeeninstrongoppositiontoeachotheruponthegeneralsystemofpoliticspursuedbythegovernment。
§;1089。Ifever,therefore,contemporaneousexposition,andtheuniformandprogressiveoperationsofthegovernmentitself,inallitsdepartments,canbeofanyweighttosettletheconstructionoftheconstitution,thereneverhasbeen,andtherenevercanbemoredecidedevidenceinfavourofthepower,thanisfurnishedbythehistoryofournationallawsfortheencouragementofdomesticagricultureandmanufactures。Toresignanexpositionsosanctioned,wouldbetodeliveroverthecountrytointerminabledoubts;andtomaketheconstitutionnotawrittensystemofgovernment,butafalseanddelusivetext,uponwhicheverysuccessiveageofspeculatistsandstatesmenmightbuildanysystem,suitedtotheirownviewsandopinions。Butifitbeaddedtothis,thattheconstitutiongivesthepowerinthemostunlimitedterms,andneitherassignsmotives,norobjectsforitsexercise;butleavesthesewhollytothediscretionofthelegislature,actingforthecommongood,andthegeneralinterests;theargumentinitsfavourbecomesasabsolutelyirresistible,asanydemonstrationofamoralorpoliticalnatureevercanbe。Withoutsuchapower,thegovernmentwouldbeabsolutelyworthless,andmademerelysubservienttothepolicyofforeignnations,incapableofself—protectionorself—support;73withit,thecountrywillhaveafighttoassertitsequality,anddignity,andsovereigntyamongtheothernationsoftheearth。74
§;1089[a]。Inregardtotherejectionofthepropositionintheconvention"toestablishinstitutions,rewards,andimmunitiesforthepromotionofagriculture,commerce,trades,andmanufactures,"75itismanifest,thatithasnobearingonthequestion。Itwasapowermuchmorebroadinitsextentandobjects,thanthepowertoencouragemanufacturesbytheexerciseofanothergrantedpower。Itmightbecontendedwithquiteasmuchplausibility,thattherejectionwasanimpliedrejectionoftherighttoencouragecommerce,forthatwasequallywithinthescopeoftheproposition。Intruth,itinvolvedadirectpowertoestablishinstitutions,rewards,andimmunitiesforallthegreatinterestsofsociety,andwas,onthataccount,deemedtoobroadandsweeping。Itwouldestablishageneral,andnotalimitedpowerofgovernment。
§;1090。Suchisasummarynecessarilyimperfectofthereasoningoneachsideofthiscontesteddoctrine。Thereaderwilldrawhisownconclusions;andtheseCommentarieshavenofurtheraim,thantoputhiminpossessionofthematerialsforaproperexerciseofhisjudgment。
§;1091。Whenthesubjectoftheregulationofcommercewasbeforetheconvention,thefirstdraftoftheconstitutioncontainedanarticle,that"nonavigationactshallbepassed,withouttheassentoftwothirdsofthememberspresentineachhouse。"76Thisarticlewasafterwardsrecommendedinareportofacommitteetobestrickenout。Inthesecondreviseddraftitwasleftout;andamotion,toinsertsucharestrictiontohaveeffectuntiltheyear1808,wasnegativedbythevoteofsevenstatesagainstthree。77Anotherproposition,thatnoact,regulatingthecommerceoftheUnitedStateswithforeignpowers,shouldbepassedwithouttheassentoftwothirdsofthemembersofeachhouse,wasrejectedbythevoteofsevenstatesagainstfour。78Therejectionwas,probably,occasionedbytwoleadingreasons。First,thegeneralimproprietyofallowingtheminorityinagovernmenttocontrol,andineffecttogovernallthelegislativepowersofthemajority。Secondly,theespecialinconvenienceofsuchapowerinregardtoregulationsofcommerce,wheretheproperremedyforgrievancesoftheworstsortmightbewithheldfromthenavigatingandcommercialstatesbyaverysmallminorityoftheotherstates。79Asimilarpropositionwasmade,aftertheadoptionoftheconstitution,bysomeofthestates;butitwasneveractedupon。80
§;1092。ThepowerofcongressalsoextendstoregulatecommercewiththeIndiantribes。Thispowerwasnotcontainedinthefirstdraftoftheconstitution。Itwasafterwardsreferredtothecommitteeontheconstitutionamongotherpropositionstoconsidertheproprietyofgivingtocongressthepower"toregulateaffairswiththeIndians,aswellwithin,aswithoutthelimitsoftheUnitedStates。"And,inthereviseddraft,thecommitteereportedtheclause,"andwiththeIndianTribes,"asitnowstands。81
§;1093。Undertheconfederation,thecontinentalcongresswereinvestedwiththesoleandexclusiverightandpower"ofregulatingthetradeandmanagingallaffairswiththeIndians,notmembersofanyofthestates,provided,thatthelegislativerightofanystatewithinitsownlimitsbenotinfringedorviolated。"82
§;1094。AntecedentlytotheAmericanRevolutiontheauthoritytoregulatetradeandintercoursewiththeIndiantribes,whethertheywerewithin,orwithouttheboundariesofthecolonies,wasunderstoodtobelongtotheprerogativeoftheBritishcrown。83AndaltertheAmericanRevolution,thelikepowerwouldnaturallyfalltothefederalgovernment,withaviewtothegeneralpeaceandinterestsofallthestates。84Tworestrictions,however,uponthepowerwere,bytheabovearticle,incorporatedintotheconfederation,whichoccasionedendlessembarrassmentsanddoubts。ThepowerofcongresswasrestrainedtoIndians,notmembersofanyofthestates;andwasnottobeexercised,soastoviolateorinfringethelegislativerightofanystatewithinitsownlimits。WhatdescriptionofIndiansweretobedeemedmembersofastatewasneversettledundertheconfederation;
andwasaquestionoffrequentperplexityandcontentioninthefederalcouncils。AndhowthetradewithIndians,thoughnotmembersofastate,yetresidingwithinitslegislativejurisdiction,wastoberegulatedbyanexternalauthority,withoutsofarintrudingontheinternalrightsoflegislation,wasabsolutelyincomprehensible。Inthiscase,asinsomeothercases,thearticlesofconfederationinconsideratelyendeavouredtoaccomplishimpossibilities;toreconcileapartialsovereigntyintheUnion,withcompletesovereigntyinthestates;tosubvertamathematicalaxiom,bytakingawayapart,andlettingthewholeremain。85Theconstitutionhaswiselydisembarrassedthepowerofthesetwolimitations;
andhasthusgiventocongress,astheonlysafeandproperdepositary,theexclusivepower,whichbelongedtothecrownintheante—revolutionarytimes;apowerindispensabletothepeaceofthestates,andtothejustpreservationoftherightsandterritoryoftheIndians。86Intheformerillustrationsofthissubject,itwasstated,thattheIndians,fromthefirstsettlementofthecountry,werealwaystreated,asdistinct,thoughinsomesort,asdependentnations。Theirterritorialrightsandsovereigntywererespected。Theyweredeemedincapableofcarryingontradeorintercoursewithanyforeignnations,orofcedingtheirterritoriestothem。Buttheirrightofself—governmentwasadmitted;andtheywereallowedanationalexistence,undertheprotectionoftheparentcountry,whichexemptedthemfromtheordinaryoperationsofthelegislativepowerofthecolonies。Duringtherevolutionandafterwardstheyweresecuredinthelikeenjoymentoftheirrightsandproperty,asseparatecommunities。87ThegovernmentoftheUnitedStates,sincetheconstitution,havealwaysrecognisedthesameattributesofdependentsovereignty,asbelongingtothem,andclaimedthesamerightofexclusiveregulationoftradeandintercoursewiththem,andthesameauthoritytoprotectandguaranteetheirterritorialpossessions,immunities,andjurisdiction。88
§;1095。Thepower,then,giventocongresstoregulatecommercewiththeIndiantribes,extendsequallytotribeslivingwithinorwithouttheboundariesofparticularstates,andwithinorwithouttheterritoriallimitsoftheUnitedStates。Itissaysalearnedcommentatorwhollyimmaterial,whethersuchtribescontinueseatedwithintheboundariesofastate,inhabitpartofaterritory,orroamatlargeoverlands,towhichtheUnitedStateshavenoclaim。Thetradewiththemis,inallitsforms,subjectexclusivelytotheregulationofcongress。
Andinthisparticular,also,wetracethewisdomoftheconstitution。
TheIndians,notdistractedbythediscordantregulationsofdifferentstates,aretaughttotrustonegreatbody,whosejusticetheyrespect,andwhosepowertheyfear。89
§;1096。Ithaslatelybeenmadeaquestion,whetheranIndiantribe,situatedwithintheterritorialboundariesofastate;butexercisingthepowersofgovernment,andnationalsovereignty,undertheguaranteeofthegeneralgovernment,isaforeignstateinthesenseoftheconstitution,andassuchentitledtosueinthecourtsoftheUnitedStates。Uponsolemnargument,ithasbeenheld,thatsuchatribeistobedeemedpoliticallyastate;thatis,adistinctpoliticalsociety,capableofself—government;butitisnottobedeemedaforeignstate,inthesenseoftheconstitution。Itisratheradomesticdependentnation。Suchatribemayproperlybedeemedinastateofpupillage;anditsrelationtotheUnitedStatesresemblesthatofawardtoaguardian。90,91
1。Article9。
2。1Tuck。Black。Comm。App。245,246;
TheFederalist,No。41。
3。Westonv。CityCouncilofCharleston,2Peters’sR。449,468。
4。Gibbonsv。Ogden,9Wheat。
R。1,225,JohnsonJ。’sOpinion;Brownv。Maryland,12Wheat。R。
445,446。
5。TheFederalist,No。4,7,11,22,37。
6。Brownv。StateofMaryland,12Wheat。R。419,445,446;1Tucker’sBlack。Comm。App。248to252;1
Amer。Museum,8,272,273,281,282,288;2Amer。Museum,263to276;Id。
371,372;TheFederalist,No。7,11,22;Mr。Madison’sLettertoMr。Cabell,18thSept。1828;5Marshall’sLifeofWashington,ch。2,p。74to80;2
Pitkin’sHist。189,192。
7。TheFederalist,No。7。11,12,22,41,42。
8。JournalofConvention,220,257,260,356,378。
9。Gibbonsv。Ogden,9Wheat。
R。189。
10。9Wheat。R。196。
11。Gibbonsv。Ogden,9Wheat。
189,190;Id。229,230。
12。9Wheat。R。190,191;Id。215,216,217;Id。229,230;1Tucker’sBlack。Comm。App。249to252。
13。12Wheat。R。446。
14。1Tucker’sBlack。Comm。App。247,248,249。
15。9Wheat。R。191。
16。9Wheat。R。191,215,216;NorthRiverSteamboatCompanyv。Livingston,3Cowen’sR。713。
17。9Wheat。193;1Kent’sComm。
Lect。19,p。404,405;TheBrigantineWilliam,2Hall’sLawJournal,265;SergeantonConst。ch。28,p。290,&;c。
18。9Wheat。193,215,216,217;Id。
226;12Wheat。R。446,447;NorthRiverSteamboatCompanyv。Livingston,3Cowen’sR。713。
19。Gibbonsv。Ogden,9Wheaton’sR。1,201;Ib。224;Ib。225to228。SeeMr。Verplank’slettertoCol。Draytonin1831;ResolvesofCongress,14thOct。1774,1JournalofCongress,27;2Marshall’sLifeofWashington,infivevolumes,p。77,81;Dr。
Franklin’sExamination,beforethehouseofcommons,in1766;Dickerson’sFarmer’sLetters,No。2,1767;1Jefferson’sCorresp。7;Burke’sSpeechonAmericanTaxation,1774。
20。Gibbonsv。Ogden,9Wheaton’sR。194。
21。Gibbonsv。Ogden,9Wheaton’sR。194,195,196;Brownv。Maryland,12Wheaton,446,447。
22。SeetheFederalist,No。6,7,11,12,22,41,42;N。R。SteamboatCompanyv。Livingston,3Cowen’sR。713。
23。12Wheaton’sR。448,449;9Wheaton,199to204。
24。TheFederalist,No。42;1Tuck。
Black。Comm。App。247to252。
25。SeePresidentMonroe’sExpositionandMessage,4May,1822,p。31,32。
26。TheFederalist,No。42,22。
27。TheFederalist,No。42。
28。TheFederalist,No。11,12。
29。SeetheopinionofMr。JusticeJohnson,9Wheaton’sR。224to228。
30。Intheconvention,itwasmovedtoamendthearticle,soastogivetocongress"thesoleandexclusive"
power;butthepropositionwasrejectedbythevoteofsixstatesagainstfive。31
31。JournalofConvention,220,270。
32。Gibbonsv。Ogden,9Wheaton’sR。1;Brownv。Maryland,12Wheaton’sR。419,445。446;1Tucker’sBlack。Comm。App,180,309;N。R。SteamBoatCompanyv。Livingston,3Cowen’sR。713。
33。9Wheaton’sR。196,198,209;Id。
227,228。
34。Wheaton’sR。199,200。
35。9Wheaton’sR。201,202;1Jefferson’sCorresp。7;TheFederalist,No。56;12Wheaton’sR。446,447。
36。9Wheaton’sR。201,202。
37。SeeCorfieldv。Cargill,4Wash。Cir。R。371,379,&;c。
38。9Wheaton’sR。203to207,209。
39。9Wheaton’sR。207,208,209。
40。1Kent’sComm。Lect19,p。404,410,411。SeealsoRawleontheConstitution,ch。9,p。81to84;SergeantonConst。ch。98,p。291,292。?ThereisaveryableandcandidreviewofthewholesubjectbyMr。ChancellorKentinhisexcellentcommentaries。1Kent’sComm。Lect。19,p。404。Igladlyavailmyselfofthis,aswellasofallotheroccasions,torecommendhislearnedlabourstothose,whoseektostudythelaw,ortheconstitution,withaliberalandenlightenedspirit。
41。9Wheaton’sR。197to204。
42。Brownv。StateofMaryland,12Wheaton’sR。419,445to447;9Wheaton’sR。197。&;c。?Mr。JusticeThompsondissentedfromthisdoctrine,aswillbeseeninhisopinionin12Wheaton’sR。449,&;c。
43。Wilsonv。BlackbirdCreekCompany,2Peters’sR。245。
44。Gibbonsv。Ogden,9Wheat。
R。189to198;Id。211to215;1Tuck。Black。Comm。App。247to249;Id。
250。
45。1Tuck。Black。Comm。App。252。
46。9Wheat。R。203,204,205,206,207,208;1Tuck。BlackComm。App。251,252。
47。9Wheat。R。214,915to221。
48。9Wheat。R。191,192;1Kent’sComm。
Lect。19,p。404,405。
49。1Tuck。Black。Comm。App。249,251;
9Wheat。R。208,209。
50。Mr。Hamilton,inhiscelebratedargumentonthenationalbank,23dFeb。1791,enumeratesthefollowingaswithinthepowertoregulatecommerce,viz。theregulationofpoliciesofinsurance,ofsalvageupongoodsfoundatsea,andthedispositionofsuchgoods;theregulationofpilots;andtheregulationofbillsofexchangedrawnbyonemerchantuponamerchantofanotherstate;and,ofcourse,theregulationofforeignbillsofexchange。53
51。SergeantonConst。Lawch。28,ch。
30,2dedit。
52。See1Elliot’sDebates,144。
53。1Hamilton’sWork’s,134。
54。SeeAddressofthePhiladelphiaFreeTradeConvention,inSeptemberandOctober1831。
55。ApropositionwasreferredtothecommitteeofDetailsandRevision"toestablishpublicinstitutions,rewards,andimmunities,forthepromotionofagriculture,commerce,trade,andmanufactures。"Thecommitteeneverreportedonit。Journ。ofConvention,p。261。
56。Theaboveargumentsandreasoninghavebeengathered,asfarascouldbe,fromdocumentsadmittedtobeofhighauthoritybythose,whomaintaintherestrictivedoctrine。SeetheExpositionandProtestoftheSouthCarolinalegislature,inDec。1828,attributedtoMr。VicePresidentCalhoun;theAddressoftheFreeTradeConventionatPhiladelphia,inOct。1831,attributedtoMr。AttorneyGeneralBerrien;theOrationoftheHon。Mr。Drayton,onthe4thofJuly,1831;
andtheSpeechofMr。SenatorHayne,9thofJan。1832?Seealso4Jefferson’sCorresp。421。
57。SeeMr。Madison’sLettertoMr。
Cabell,18thSept。1828;Mr。Verplanck’sLettertoCol。Drayton,in183
1;AddressoftheNew—YorkConventioninfavourofDomesticIndustry,November,1831,p。12,13,149Wheat。K。202;1Pitk。Hist。ch。3,p。93to106。
58。1AmericanMuseum,16。
59。1Elliot’sDebates,74,75,76,77,115;3Elliot’sDebates,31,32,33;2Amer。Museum,371,372,373;
3Amer。Museum,62,554,556,557;TheFederalist,No。12,41;1Tuck。
Black。Comm。App。237,238;1AmericanMuseum,16,282,289,429,432;
Id。434,436;Hamilton’sReportonManufactures,in1791;4Elliot’sDebates,App。351to354。
60。SeeMr。Madison’sLettertoMr。
Cabell,18thSept。1828;4Elliot’sDebates,App。345。
61。Mr。Madison’sLettertoMr。Cabell,18thSept。1828;4Elliot’sDebates,App。345。
62。SeetheFederalist,No。11,12。
63。SeeMr。Jefferson’sReportontheFisheries,1stFeb。1791,10Amer。Mus。App。1,&;c。,8,&;c。
64。SeeMr。Williamson’sSpeechinCongress,8Amer。Mus。140。
65。See1Lloyd’sDeb。17,19,22,23,24,26,27,28,31,34,39,43,46,47,50,51,52,55,64to69,71,72,74to83,94,95,97。109,116,145,160,161,211,212,243,244,254;
Id。144,183,194,206,207。Seealso5Marshall’sWash。ch。3,p。189,190。
66。See1Lloyd’sDeb。24,160,161,243,244;4Elliot’sDeb。App。351,351。
67。SeeGrimke’sSpeech,inDec。1828,p。58,59,63。
68。Act。of4thJuly,1789。
69。Itisnotalittleremarkable,thatthecultureofcottonwasjustthenbeginninginSouthCarolina;andherstatesmenthenthoughtaprotectingdutytoaidagriculturewasinallrespectsproper,andconstitutional。1Lloyd’sDeb。79;Id。210,211,212,244。
70。Hamilton’sReportonManufacturers,in1791。
71。TheFederalist,No。10,35,41。
72。See4Elliot’sDebates,App。353,354。
73。4Jefferson’sCorrespondence,280,281;1Pitkin’sHist。ch。3,p。93to106。
74。TheforegoingsummaryhasbeenprincipallyabstractedfromtheLetterofMr。MadisontoMr。Cabell,18thSept。1828;
4Elliot’sDeb。345;Mr。Grimke’sSpeechinDec。1898,intheSouthCarolinasenate;Mr。Huger’sSpeechintheSouthCarolinalegislature,inDec。1830;
AddressoftheNewYorkConventionoftheFriendsofDomesticIndustry,inOct。1831;Mr。Verplanck’sLettertoCol。Drayton,in1831;Mr。Clay’sSpeechinthesenate,inFeb。1839;Mr。EdwardEverett’sAddresstotheAmericanInstitute,inOct。1831;Mr。Hamilton’sReportonManufactures,in1791;Mr。Jefferson’sReportontheFisheries,in1791。See,also,4
Jefferson’sCorrespondence,280,281。
75。JournalofConvention,p。961。
76。JournalofConvention,p。222。
77。JournalofConvention,222。285,286,293,358,387。See,also,3AmericanMuseum,62,419,420;2AmericanMuseum,553;2Pitkin’sHist。261。
78。JournalofConvention,306。
79。SeeTheFederalist,No。22;1Tucker’sBlack。Comm。App。253,375。
80。1Tucker’sBlack。Comm。App。253,375。
81。JournalofConvention,220,260,356。
82。Art。9。
83。Worcesterv。StateofGeorgia,6Peters’sR。515;Johnsonv。McIntosh,8Wheat。R。543;JournalofCongress,3August,1787,12thvol。p。81to86。
84。Ibid。
85。TheFederalist,No。42;1Tuck。
Black。Comm。App。253;12Jour。ofCongress,3August,1787,p。81to84。
86。Worcesterv。TheStateofGeorgia,6Peters’sR。515;12Journ。ofCongress,3August,1787,p。81to84。
87。Johnsonv。McIntosh,8Wheat。
R。543;Fletcherv。Peck,6Cranch,146,147,perJohnsonJ。;TheCherokeeNationv。Georgia,5Peters’sR1;Worcesterv。TheStateofGeorgia,6Peters’sR。515;Jacksonv。Goodell,20Johnson’sR。193;3Kent’sComm。Lect。50,p。303to318。
88。Worcesterv。StateofGeorgia,6Peters’sR。515;Journ。ofCongress,3August,1787,vol。12,p。81to84。?Mr。Blunt,inhisvaluableHistoricalSketchoftheFormationoftheConfederacy,&;c。hasgivenaveryfullviewoftheante—revolutionary,aswellaspost—revolutionaryauthorityexercisedinregardtotheIndiantribes。SeeBlunt’sHistoricalSketch,&;c。New—York,1825。Mr。Jefferson’sopinionwas,thattheUnitedStateshadnomorethanarightofpre—emptionoftheIndianlands,notamountingtoanydominion,orjurisdiction,orpermanentauthoritywhatever;andthattheIndianspossessedafull,undivided,and。independentsovereignty。4Jefferson’sCorresp。478。
89。RawleontheConstitution,ch。9,p。84。Seealso1Tuck。Black。Comm。App。254;1Kent’sComm。Lect。
50,p。508to318。
90。TheCherokeeNationv。Georgia,5Peters’sR。1,16,17;Jacksonv。Goodell,20John。R。193;3
Kent’sComm。Lect。50。p。308to318。InthefirstvolumeofBioren&;
Duane’seditionofthelawsoftheUnitedStates,therewillbefoundahistoryofourIndianTreatiesandLawsregulatingIntercourseandTradewiththeIndians。1UnitedStatesLaws,597to620。
91。Whilethissheetwaspassingthroughthepress,PresidentJackson’sProclamationofthe10thofDecember,1832,concerningtherecentOrdinanceofSouth—Carolinaonthesubjectofthetariff,appeared。Thatdocumentcontainsamostelaborateviewofseveralquestions,whichhavebeendiscussedinthisandtheprecedingvolume,especiallyrespectingthesupremacyofthelawsoftheUnion;therightofthejudiciarytodecideupontheconstitutionalityofthoselaws;andthetotalrepugnancytotheconstitutionofthemoderndoctrineofnullificationassertedinthatordinance。Asastatepaperitisentitledtoveryhighpraisefortheclearness,force,andeloquence,withwhichithasdefendedtherightsandpowersofthenationalgovernment。Igladlycopyintothesepagessomeofitsimportantpassages,asamongtimeablestcommentarieseverofferedupontheconstitution。"Whereas,aconventionassembledinthestateofSouth—Carolinahavepassedanordinance,bywhichtheydeclare,’ThattheseveralactsandpartsofactsofthecongressoftimeUnitedStates,purportingtobelawsfortheimposingofdutiesandimpostsontheimportationofforeigncommodities,andnowhavingactualoperationandeffectwithintheUnitedStates,andmoreespecially,’twoactsforthesamepurposepassedonthe29thofMay,1828,andonthe14thofJuly,1832,areunauthorizedbytheconstitutionoftheUnitedStates,andviolatethetruemeaningandintentthereof,andarenullandvoid,andnolaw,’norbindingonthecitizensofthatstateoritsofficers:andbythesaidordinance,itisfurtherdeclaredtobeunlawfulforanyoftheconstitutedauthoritiesofthestate,oroftheUnitedStates,toenforcethepaymentofthedutiesimposedbythesaidactswithinthesamestate,andthatitisthedutyofthelegislaturetopasssuchlaws,asmaybenecessarytogivefulleffecttothesaidordinance:
"Andwhereas,bythesaidordinance,itisfurtherordained,thatinnoeaseoflaworequity,decidedinthecourtsofsaidstate,whereinshallbedrawninquestionthevalidityofthesaidordinance,oroftheactsofthelegislature,thatmaybepassedtogiveiteffect,orofthesaidlawsoftheUnitedStates,noappealshallbeallowedtotheSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates,norshallanycopyoftherecordbepermittedorallowedforthatpurpose,andthatanypersonattemptingtotakesuchappealshallbepunishedasforacontemptofcourt:"And,finally,thesaidordinancedeclares,thatthepeopleofSouthCarolinawillmaintainthesaidordinanceateveryhazard;andthattheywillconsiderthepassageofanyactbycongress,abolishingorclosingtheportsofthesaidstate,orotherwiseobstructingthetreeingressoregressofvesselstoandfromthesaidports,oranyotheractofthefederalgovernmenttocoercethestate,shutupherports,destroyorharasshercommerce,ortoenforcethesaidactsotherwise,thanthroughtheciviltribunalsofthecountry,asinconsistentwiththelongercontinuanceofSouth—CarolinaintheUnion;andthatthepeopleofthesaidstatewillthenceforthholdthemselvesabsolvedfromallfurtherobligationtomaintainorpreservetheirpoliticalconnexionwiththepeopleoftheotherstates,andwillforthwithproceedtoorganizeaseparategovernment,anddoalletheractsandthings,whichsovereignandindependentstatesmayofrightdo:
"Andwhereas,thesaidordinanceprescribestothepeopleofSouthCarolinaacourseofconduct,indirectviolationoftheirduty,ascitizensoftheUnitedStates,contrarytothelawsoftheircountry,subversiveofitsconstitution,andhavingforitsobjectthedestructionoftheUnion,?thatUnion,which,coevalwithourpoliticalexistence,ledourfathers,withoutanyothertiestounitethem,thanthoseofpatriotismandacommoncause,throughasanguinarystruggletoagloriousindependence,?thatsacredUnion,hithertoinviolate,which,perfectedbyourhappyconstitution,hasbroughtus,bythefavourofHeaven,toastateofprosperityathome,andhighconsiderationabroad,rarely,ifever,equalledinthehistoryofnations。Topreservethisbondofourpoliticalexistencefromdestruction,tomaintaininviolatethisstateofnationalhonourandprosperity,andtojustifytheconfidencemyfellow—citizenshavereposedinme,I,AndrewJackson,PresidentoftheUnitedStates,havethoughtpropertoissuethismyProclamation,statingmyviewsoftheconstitutionandlaws,applicabletothemeasuresadoptedbytheconventionofSouth—Carolina,andtothereasonstheyhaveputforthtosustainthem,declaringthecourse,whichdutywillrequiremetopursue,and,appealingtotheunderstandingendpatriotismofthepeople,warnthemoftheconsequences,thatmustinevitablyresultfromanobservanceofthedictatesoftheconvention。
"Strictdutywouldrequireofmenothingmore,thantheexerciseofthosepowers,withwhichIamnow,ormayhereafterbe,invested,forpreservingthepeaceoftheUnion,andfortheexecutionofthelaws。
Buttheimposingaspect,whichoppositionhasassumedinthiscase,byclothingitselfwithstateauthority,andthedeepinterest,whichthepeopleoftheUnitedStatesmustallfeelinpreventingaresorttostrongermeasures,whilethereisahope,thatanythine,willbeyieldedtoreasoningandremonstrance,perhapsdemand,andwillcertainlyjustify,afullexpositiontoSouth—CarolinaendthenationoftheviewsIentertainofthisimportantquestion,aswellasadistinctenunciationofthecourse,whichmysenseofdutywillrequiremetopursue。
"Theordinanceisfounded,notontheindefeasiblerightofresistingacts,whichareplainlyunconstitutionalandtoooppressivetobeendured;butonthestrangeposition,thatanyonestatemaynotonlydeclareanactofcongressvoid,butprohibititsexecution,?thattheymaydothisconsistentlywiththeconstitution,?thatthetrueconstructionofthatinstrumentpermitsastatetoretainitsplaceintheUnion,andyetbeboundbynootherofitslaws,thanthoseitmaychoosetoconsiderasconstitutional。Itistrue,theyadd,thattojustifythisabrogationofalaw,itmustbepalpablycontrarytotheconstitution;butitisevident,thattogivetherightofresistinglawsofthatdescription,coupledwiththeuncontrolledrighttodecide,whatlawsdeservethatcharacter,istogivethepowerofresistingalllaws。For,asbythetheorythereisnoappeal,thereasonsallegedbythestate,goodorbad,mustprevail。
Ifitshouldbesaid,thatpublicopinionisasufficientcheckagainsttheabuseofthispower,itmaybeasked,whyitisnotdeemedasufficientguardagainstthepassageofanunconstitutionalactbycongress。Thereis,however,arestraintinthislastcase,whichmakestheassumedpowerofastatemoreindefensible,andwhichdoesnotexistintheother。Therearetwoappealsfromanunconstitutionalactpassedbycongress,?onetothejudiciary,theothertothepeople,andthestates。Thereisnoappealfromthestatedecisionintheory,andthepracticalillustrationshows,thatthecourtswereclosedagainstanapplicationtoreviewit,bothjudgesandjurorsbeingsworntodecideinitsfavour。Butreasoningonthissubjectissuperfluous,whenoursocialcompactinexpresstermsdeclares,thatthelawsoftheUnitedStates,theconstitution,andtreatiesmadeunderit,arethesupremelawoftheland;andforgreatercautionadds,’thatthejudgesineverystateshallbeboundthereby,anythingintheconstitutionorlawsofanystatetothecontrarynotwithstanding。’
Anditmaybeassertedwithoutfearofrefutation,thatnofederativegovernmentcouldexistwithoutasimilarprovision。Lookforamomenttotheconsequence。
IfSouth—Carolinaconsiderstherevenuelawsunconstitutional,andhasarighttopreventtheirexecutioninthepertofCharleston,therewouldbeaclearconstitutionalobjectiontotheircollectionineveryotherport,andnorevenuecouldbecollectedanywhere;forallimpostsmustbeequal。Itisnoanswertorepeat,thatanunconstitutionallawisnolaw,solongasthequestionofitslegalityistobedecidedbythestateitself;foreverylaw,operatinginjuriouslyuponanylocalinterest,willbeperhapsthought,andcertainlyrepresented,asunconstitutional,and,ashasbeenshown,thereisnoappeal。
"Ifthisdoctrinehadbeenestablishedatanearlierday,theUnionwouldhavebeendissolvedinitsinfancy。TheexciselawinPennsylvania;
theembargoandnon—intercourselawintheEasternstates;thecarriagetaxinVirginia,werealldeemedunconstitutional,andweremoreunequalintheiroperation,thansayorthelawsnowcomplainedor;butfortunatelynoneorthosestatesdiscovered,thattheyhadtherightnowclaimedbySouth—Carolina。Thewar,intowhichwewereforced,tosupportthedignityorthenationandtherightorourcitizens,mighthaveendedindefeatanddisgrace,insteadorvictoryandhonour。Ifthestates,whosupposeditaruinousandunconstitutionalmeasure,hadthoughttheypossessedtherightofnullifyingtheact,bywhichitwasdeclared,anddenyingsuppliesforitsprosecution。Hardlyandunequally,asthosemeasuresboreuponseveralmembersoftheUnion,tothelegislaturesofnonedidthisefficientandpeaceableremedy,asitiscalled,suggestitself。Thediscoveryofthisimportantfeatureinourconstitutionwasreservedtothepresentday。TothestatesmenorSouth—Carolinabelongstheinvention;anduponthecitizensofthatstatewillunfortunatelyfailtheevilsofreducingittopractice。
"IfthedoctrineofastatevetouponthelawsoftheUnioncarrieswithitinternalevidenceoritsimpracticableabsurdityourconstitutionalhistorywillalsoaffordabundantproof,thatitwouldhavebeenrepudiatedwithindignation,haditbeenproposedtoformafeatureinourgovernment。
"Inourcolonialstate,althoughdependentonanotherpower,weveryearlyconsideredourselves,asconnectedbycommoninterestwitheachother。Leagueswereformedforcommondefence,andbeforetheDeclarationofIndependencewewereknowninouraggregatecharacter,asTheUnitedColoniesofAmerica。Thatdecisiveandimportantstepwastakenjointly。Wedeclaredourselvesanationbyatjoint,notbyseveralacts;
andwhenthetermsofourconfederationwerereducedtoform,itwasinthatofasolemnleagueofseveralstates,bywhichtheyagreed,thattheywouldcollectivelyformonenation,forthepurposeofconductingsomecertaindomesticconcerns,andallforeignrelationsintheinstrumentformingthatunionisfoundanarticle,whichdeclares,that’everystateshallabidebythedeterminationsofcongressonallquestions,whichbythatconfederationshouldbesubmittedtothem。
"Undertheconfederation,then,nostatecouldlegallyannuladecisionofthecongress,orrefusetosubmittoitsexecution;
butnoprovisionwasmadetoenforcethesedecisions。Congressmaderequisitions,buttheywerenotcompliedwith。Thegovernmentcouldnotoperateonindividuals。
Theyhadnojudiciary;nomeansofcollectingrevenue。
"Butthedefectsoftheconfederationneednotbedetailed。
Underitsoperationwecouldscarcelybecalledanation。Wehadneitherprosperityathome,norconsiderationabroad。Thisstateofthingscouldnotbeendured;andourpresenthappyconstitutionwasformed,butformedinvain,ifthisfataldoctrineprevails。Itwasformedforimportantobjects,thatareannouncedinthepreamble,madeinthenameandbytheauthorityorthepeopleoftheUnitedStates,whosedelegatesframed,andwhoseconventionsapprovedit。Themostimportantamongtheseobjects,that。whichisplacedfirstinrank,onwhichalltheothersrest,is,’formamoreperfectUnion。’
Now,isitpossible,thateveniftherewerenoexpressprovisiongivingsupremacytotheconstitutionandlawsoftheUnitedStatesoverthoseofthestates,itcanbeconceived,thataninstrument,madeforthepurposeof’formingamoreperfectUnion,’thanthatoftheconfederation,couldbesoconstructedbytheassembledwisdomofourcountry,astosubstituteforthatconfederationaformofgovernmentdependentforitsexistenceonthelocalinterest,thepartyspiritofastate,orofaprevailingfactioninastate?Everymanofplain。unsophisticatedunderstanding,whohearsthequestion,willgivesuchananswer,aswillpreservetheUnion。Metaphysicalsubtlety,inpursuitofanimpracticabletheory,couldalonehavedevisedone,thatiscalculatedtodestroyit。
"Iconsider,then,thepowertoannulalawortheUnitedStates,assumedbyonestate,incompatiblewiththeexistenceoftheUnion;
contradictedexpresslybytheletteroftheconstitution;unauthorizedbyitsspirit;inconsistentwitheveryprinciple,onwhichitwasfounded;
anddestructiveofthegreatobject,forwhichitwasformed。
"Afterthisgeneralviewoftheleadingprinciple,wemustexaminetheparticularapplicationofit,whichismadeintheOrdinance。
"Thepreamblerestsitsjustificationonthesegrounds:?Itassumesasafact,thattheobnoxiouslaws,althoughtheypurporttobelawsforraisingrevenue,were,inreality,intendedfortheprotectionofmanufactures,whichpurposeitassertstobeunconstitutional;thattheoperationoftheselawsisunequal;thattheamountraisedbythemisgreaterthanisrequiredbythewantsofthegovernment;andfinally,thattheproceedsaretobeappliedtoobjectsunauthorizedbytheconstitution。
Thesearetheonlycausesallegedtojustifyanopenopposition;tothelawsofthecountry,andathreatofsecedingfromtheUnion,ifanyattemptshouldbemadetoenforcethem。Thefirstvirtuallyacknowledges,thatthelawinquestionwaspassedunderapowerexpresslygivenbytheconstitution,tolayandcollectimposts;butitsconstitutionalityisdrawninquestionfromthemotivesofthose,whopassedit。Howeverapparentthispurposemaybeinthepresentcase,nothingcanbemoredangerous,thantoadmittheposition,thatanunconstitutionalpurpose,entertainedbythemembers,whoassenttoalawenactedunderaconstitutionalpower,shallmakethatlawvoid;forhowisthatpurposetobeascertained?Whoistomakethescrutiny?Howoftenmaybadpurposesbefalselyimputed?Inhowmanycasesaretheyconcealedbyfalseprofessions?Inhowmanyisnodeclarationofmotivemade?Admitthisdoctrine,andyougivetothestatesanuncontrolledfighttodecide;andeverylawmaybeannulledunderthispretext。If,therefore,theabsurdanddangerousdoctrineshouldbeadmitted,thatastatemayannulanunconstitutionallaw,oronethatitdeemssuch,itwillnotapplytothepresentcase。
"Thenextobjectionis,thatthelawsinquestionoperateunequally。Thisobjectionmaybemade,withtruth,toeverylawthathasbeenorcanhepassed。Thewisdomofmanneveryetcontrivedasystemoftaxation,thatwouldoperatewithperfectequality。Iftheunequaloperationofalawmakesitunconstitutional,andifalllawsofthatdescriptionmaybeabrogatedbyanystateforthatcause,then,indeed,isthefederalconstitutionunworthyoftheslightest。effortforitspreservation。Wehavehithertoreliedonit,astheperpetualbondofourunion。Wehavereceivedit,astheworkoftheassembledwisdomofthenation。Wehavetrustedtoit,asthesheet—anchorofoursafetyinthestormytimesofconflictwithaforeignordomesticfoe。Wehavelookedtoitwithsacredawe,asthepalladiumofourliberties,andwithallthesolemnitiesofreligionhavepledgedtoeachotherourlivesandfortuneshere,andourhopesofhappinesshereafter,initsdefenceandsupport。Werewemistaken,mycountrymen,inattachingthisimportancetotheconstitutionofourcountry?Wasourdevotionpaidtothewretched,inefficient,clumsycontrivance,whichthisnewdoctrinewouldmakeit?Didwepledgeourselvestothesupportofanairynothing,abubble,thatmustbeblownawaybythefirstbreathofdisaffection?Wasthisself—destroying,visionarytheory,theworkoftheprofoundstatesmen,theexaltedpatriots,towhomthetaskofconstitutionalreformwasentrusted?