Alexandria Gazette

LETTER FROM SENATOR PRESTON.

The following is Mr. Preston's Letter in reply to the Edisto meeting, a body of men composed of political opponents. It is plain enough, and quite seasonable:

COLUMBIA, April 11, 1841.

Sir:—I have had the honor to receive your note inclosing the proceedings of a meeting of the inhabitants of St. John's, (colored). That meeting, through you as chairman, interrogates me on several points touching my course in the Senate of the United States, and desires to know whether I am to support the present Administration, and if so, on what grounds. The gratification I feel in responding to the call of my constituents on all subjects connected with my public duties, induces me to answer the interrogatory propounded, even by adopting the form of the letter last received, and that I may be fully understood, I beg leave to do it in the language of one of the distinguished Senators from your State during the late session.

To reply to the first query of your committee, 'I owe allegiance to the Constitution, save express grant power, and it cannot have been supposed that power vested in Congress can be carried into execution without resistance.' In the event the powers granted to Congress cannot be carried into effect, and powers 'not expressly granted are not granted,' it belongs to every vote to construe the Constitution, and in doing so, to give it that construction which will preserve the existing rights of the States. In the language of Mr. Calhoun, 'it resolves itself into this: that it belongs primarily to each to judge of the extent of the grant, and the mode and extent of its execution; and, consequently, that, whenever it comes into conflict with the will of any, as to the mode and extent of executing the granted powers, it of necessity stops the action of the Government, till the question is settled by the prescribed mode of changing the Constitution, or by a judgment of the Supreme Court, to which it is submitted by mutual consent.'

The amendment to caucus—the end of obtaining the voice of the whole South on which all—anti that the management and control—and, above all, the casualties: the country at the moment it is proposed, each, and all of them, exact a grave and earnest deliberation.

In advance thereof, there I answer the interrogatory propounded, only by alluding to a general object on which all can unite, and that I beg leave to do it in the language of the late President, and of ten in, I resist. . .

'To reply to the first touch of your committee,' says Mr. Tyler, 'I owe an ample illustration to the delivery at Dayton. Hence arises to the Constitution, six express grant power, and it cannot have been supposed that power vested in Congress can be carried into execution without resistance.' Such is the sum total of the answer which I can now give to your interrogatory.

Most respectfully, your very obt. servt.

WM. C. PRESTON.

Jos. E. Jenkins, Esq., Chairman, &c.