The Enquirer

Charleston, Sept. 29.
LETTER
From the Hon. Joseph Alston, Speaker of the House of Representatives of this State, to the President of the U. States, covering the Resolutions of the Legislature of the 6th of June last, approbatory of the conduct of the administration.

Oaks, near Georgetown, (S.C.) July 6, 1808.

SIR,

The Legislature of South-Carolina, deeply impressed with the situation in which the United States have been placed, by the unfounded and arrogant pretensions of the belligerent powers of Europe; and aware of the force derived, in a government like ours, from public opinion, have thought it right, at such a crisis, to make known to the world their unalterable determination to support the rights and honor of our country, and to declare their entire approbation of the prudent and dignified course pursued by its administration. To this manifestation of their own feelings, they have been yet further induced by the expression in other parts of the union, of contrary sentiments, at a moment, when it is conceived, that a sacrifice of the conflicting opinions of individuals, and the animosities of party, was demanded alike, by sound policy and by patriotism.

The Resolutions I have now the honor to transmit you, obtained, you will perceive, the unanimous concurrence of both branches of our legislature. A conclusion from hence, however, either that there existed among us a perfect unanimity of political sentiment, or that the present restrictions upon our commerce were but little felt by us, would be equally erroneous.—South-Carolina, like her sister states, is, to a certain extent, characterized by parties. The Legislature, which adopted these Resolutions, consisted (to use the distinguished appellations of the day,) of Federalists and Republicans.—But, sir, however we may differ as to questions of ordinary policy, we should deprecate as disgraceful to us, the idea of division where the national honor-or interests were concerned. Of the effects attendant upon a sudden suspension of trade, many circumstances combine to render this state far from insensible : But, if the inconveniencies or privations resulting to our citizens from the Embargo be great, their patriotism and public spirit are still greater ; and I am persuaded that those who compose our Legislature, have been the faithful organs of their constituents, when they declare their determination, at every hazard, "to support the general government in all measures calculated to maintain the rights and support the independence of the U. States."

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

Very respectfully yours, &c.

JOSEPH ALSTON,

Speaker House Representatives, S. Carolina

PRESIDENT'S REPLY.

To the Hon: Joseph Alston, Speaker of the House of Representatives of South Carolina.

Monticello, August 4, 1808.

SIR,

I have duly received your letter of July 6, covering the resolutions of the Legislature of South-Carolina of June 29 ; and I see in those resolutions a new manifestation of the national spirit of which South-Carolina has given so many proofs. It-is the more exemplary, as it is certain that no state sacrifices more by the operation of a measure which, whether to avoid war, or to prepare for it, has been deemed equally necessary. The unanimity too of these resolutions does peculiar honor to those individuals, who differing from the mass of their fellow citizens in their opinions of government, yet forget all differences when the rights of their country are in question ; who when it is assailed by foreign wrong and menaced with the evils of war, instead of encouraging enemies by forboding of weakness and division, present to them one common and undivided front. Persuaded that the sentiments expressed in these resolutions are a true specimen of those entertained by the great mass of our fellow citizens, we may regret the evils which a contrary opinion in others may produce, but we cannot fear the result of any trial they may put us to. I receive with particular gratification assurances of approbation from the legislature of South-Carolina, and will not cease in my endeavors to merit a continuance of it. I pray you to accept my salutations and assurances of great respect and consideration.

TH: JEFFERSON.