University of Virginia Library

TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE
OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

I have recd. fellow Citizens your address, transmitted on the
22 of December, 1811.[43]

Under the circumstances which impose on the National
Councils, the duty of resorting to other means for obtaining
respect to the national rights, than a continuation of the unavailing
appeals to the justice of the aggressors, it is an
animating consideration that the great body of the Nation
appear to be united, in the convictions & feelings which you
have expressed.

Our Country faithful to the principles which it professed
& studious of the blessings of peace, omitted no pacific effort
to engage the Belligerents to abandon their anti-neutral systems;
persevering in the authorized expectation that if the

example should be given by either, it would be followed by the
other. When the repeal of the French Edicts, therefore, was
officially declared, it was reasonably inferred that the occasion
would be seized by G. Britain to demonstrate the sincerity of
her professions, and to remove the obstructions to our commercial
intercourse with her which had resulted from the
obstructions of our commerce with her adversary. Far from
making good the pledge to proceed even step by step with
France, in returning to a respect for our neutral rights, her
Government contended for formalities in the French proceeding,
not observed even in her own practice; and disputed
an evidence of facts, which any other than a reluctant
party would have promptly embraced; untill, forced into a
distrust of these pretexts for adhering to her orders she has
at length made it a condition of their repeal, that the markets
shut by her Enemy, shall be opened to her productions and
manufactures; a condition, which being equally beyond our
right to demand, and our means to effect, involves a continuance
of the system levelled against our lawful trade, during a
war itself of indefinite duration.

The alternative thus presented to the American Nation is
rallying it to a vindication of its violated rights; and it would
be injustice to its character to doubt that its energy and perseverance,
when rendered necessary, will be proportioned to the
justice and moderation, by which that necessity ought to
have been prevented.

Acquiescence in the practice and pretensions of the British
Govt. is forbidden by every view that can be taken of the
subject. It would be a voluntary surrender of the persons
and property of our Citizens sailing under the neutral guaranty
of an Independent flag. It would recolonize our commerce by
subjecting it to a foreign Authority; with the sole difference
that the regulations of it formerly were made by Acts of
Parliament and now, by orders in Council. And whatever
benefits might be reaped by particular portions of the Community,
whose products are favored by contingent demands,

but whose patriotism will not the less make a common cause
with every other portion, experience warns us of the fatal
tendencies of a commerce unrestricted with G. B., and restricted
by her pleasure and policy elsewhere. Whilst the limited
Market would continue overcharged with our exports, the
disproportionate imports from it, would drain from us the
precious metals, endanger our monied Institutions; arrest
our internal improvements, and would strangle in the cradle,
the manufactures which promise so vigorous a growth. Nor
would the evil be confined to our commerce, our agriculture,
or our manufactures. The Ship owners & Shipbuilders and
mariners must be equally sufferers. Should the regulating
power submitted to afford no new preferences to British
Navigation, those derived from existing laws & orders would
exclude American vessels from the carriage of the products
of their own Country, from its own ports. Finally, an acquiescence
in the regulation of our Commerce, by the Belligerent
having the command of the sea, would be the surest
method of perpetuating its destructive Edicts. In a state of
things so favorable to its interests, and so flattering to its
power, the motives to a change would cease, if a change were
otherwise likely to take place.

It is with a just discernment therefore that you have regarded
a dereliction of our National rights as not less ruinous
than dishonorable; and, with an exemplary patriotism that you
have unanimously resolved to co-operate in maintaining them.

Washington Jany. 8th 1812