LITTLE RIVER DISTRICT.-Yeas: John Hunter, Thomas Wadsworth. 2.—Nays: Samuel Saxon, Joshua Saxon. 2.-Absent: James Mayson. 1. UPPER OR SPARTAN DISTRICT.-Yeas: none. - Nays: William Kennedy, James Jourdon, Charles Sims, Thomas Brandon, Hon. Zacariah Bullock. 5. DISTRICT BETWEEN BROAD AND CATAWBA RIVERS, RICHLAND COUNTY. - Yeas: none. - Nays: Hon. Thomas Taylor, William Meyer, Thomas Howell. 3. FAIRFIELD COUNTY. Cook. 4. Nays: James Craig, Jacob Brown, John Gray, John CHESTER DISTRICT.-Yeus: none. — Nays : Edward Lacy, Joseph Brown, William Miles, James Knox. 4. DISTRICT CALLED THE NEW ACQUISITION. -Yea: Rev. Francis Cummins. 1.— Nays Hon. William Hill, Robert Patton, Samuel Watson, James Martin, James G. Hunt, Samuel Lowry, Andrew Love, John M'Caw, Adam Meek, Abraham Smith. 10. ST. MATTHEW'S. -Yeas: Hon. William Thompson, Hon. Paul Warley. 2.-Nay: Hon. John Linton. 1. ORANGE. - Yeas: Lewis Lesterjette, Jacob Rumph, Donald Bruce. 3. — Nays: none. - Absent: Lewis Golsan. 1. ST. DAVID'S.-Yeas: Lemuel Benton, William Dewitt, Calvin Spencer, Samuel Taylor, R. Brownfield, Benjamin Hicks, Jun. 6. Nuys: none. - Absent: Trist. Thomas. 1. DISTRICT BETWEEN SAVANNAH RIVER, AND THE NORTH FORK OF EDISTO. - Yeas: Stephen Smith, Hon. William Dunbar, Joseph Vince, William Robison, John Col. lins, Jonathan Clark. 6. -- Nays: none. -- Absent: William Buford. 1. Lower District, between Broad and Saluda Rivers, Upper, or Spartan District, 2 1 ..... 0 2 District between Broad and Catawba Rivers, Richland County, O Fairfield County, Chester County,. District called the New Acquisition, St. Matthew's,... Orange, St. David's, 0012366 District between Savannah River and the North Fork of Edisto, 6 • Zlooo-baawanggoo.boonowo--ognoooowoo 0000000 149 73 Two hundred and thirty-six members appointed to the Convention Two hundred and twenty-two attended, of which there were, OVUM REIPUBLICÆ. The Congress of 1765. [From Garden's Anecdotes, Second Series.] South Carolina is literally one of the Nine primitive Muses of American Liberty. "Before the thirteen were she is." We must never forget that the parent of the revolution, the very Ovum Reipublicæ, was the Congress which convened in New York, in 1765. But nine colonies were represented, as four were overpowered by the royal party. But South Carolina beat down the strong opposition of the crown, and was the only one, south of the Potomac, that sent a delegation. This was the achievement of General Gadsden. In this primeval council, our members were far from being insignificant. Three committees only were appointed, and of two the sons of Carolina were chairmen. Mr. Lynch (father of the patriot who signed the Declaration of Independence) was chairman of the one to prepare an address to the House of Commons, and John Rutledge (who was then but twenty-six years of age) of that for the house of lords. This Convention of sages was the parent plant of our present confederacy of republics. Thus was South Carolina among the aboriginal founders of the Union. Delegates to the Congress of 1765. Massachusetts, 3. James Otis, Oliver Partridge, Timothy Ruggles. Rhode Island, 2- Metcalf Bowler, Henry Ward. Connecticut, 3- Eliphalet Dyer, David Rowland, William S. Johnston. New York, 5-Robert R. Livingston, John Cruger, Philip Livingston, William Bayard, Leonard Lispenard. New Jersey, 3 Robert Ogden, Hendrick Fisher, Joseph Borden. Pennsylvania, 3-John Dickinson, John Morton, George Bryan. Delaware, 3-Jacob Kolloch, Thomas M'Kean, Cæsar Rodney. Maryland, 3-William Murdock, Edward Tilghman, Thomas Ringgold. Extract from the official Journal of the Congress of 1765. Met in New York, on Monday, 7th of October, 1765. After having examined and admitted the certificates of appointment of the above members, the said committees proceeded to choose a chairman by ballot; and Timothy Ruggies, Esq., of Massachusetts, on sorting and counting the votes, appeared to have a majority, and thereupon was placed in the chair. Resolved, nem. con., That John Cotton be clerk to this Congress, during the continuance thereof. Resolved, That the committee of each colony shall have one voice only, in determining any questions that shall arise in the Congress. After meeting regularly every day, with the exception of the Sabbath, they concurred in a declaration of the rights and grievances of America, and appointed the following committees, on Saturday, 19th October, 1765: Upon motion, Voted, That Robert R. Livingston, of New York, William Samuel Johnston, and William Murdock, Esqrs., be a committee to prepare an address to his majesty, and lay the same before the Congress on Monday next. Voted also, That John Rutledge, of South Carolina, Edward Tilghman, and Philip Livingston, Esqrs., be a committee to prepare a memorial and petition to the Lords in Parliament, and lay the same before the Congress on Monday next. Voted also, That Thomas Lynch, of South Carolina, James Otis, and Thomas M'Kean, Esqrs., be a committee to prepare a petition to the House of Commons of Great Britain, and lay the same before the Congress on Monday next. After having attended daily, the last meeting was held on Thursday, 24th October, 1765. Voted, unanimously, That the clerk of this Congress sign the minutes of their proceedings, and deliver a copy for the use of each colony and province. See "Principles and Acts of the Revolution." It is to be regretted that the few speeches here published constitute all of the able debates in the South Carolina Convention which could be procured. The discussion commenced on the 14th of May, and, it is understood, was continued with brilliancy eight days; Judge Burke, Mr. Bowman, Dr. Fayssoux, and others, disclosing the abuses and misconstructions of which the Constitution was susceptible; Judge Pendleton, General Pinckney, and Hon. J. Pringle, among many other distinguished members, enforcing the expediency and necessity of its adoption. In "This acceptance and ratification was not without opposition. addition to the common objections which had been urged against the Constitution, South Carolina had some local reasons for refusing, or at least delaying, a final vote on the question. Doubts were entertained of the acceptance of the Constitution by Virginia. To gain time till the determination of that leading state was known, a motion for postponement was brought forward. This, after an animated debate, was overruled by a majority of 46. The rejection of it was considered as decisive in favor of the Constitution. When the result of the vote was announced, an event unexampled in the annals of Carolina took place. Strong and involuntary expressions of applause and joy burst forth from the numerous transported spectators. The minority complained of disrespect; unpleasant consequences were anticipated. The majority joined with the complaining members in clearing the house, and in the most delicate manner soothed their feelings. In the true style of republicanism, the minority not only acquiesced, but heartily joined in supporting the determination of the majority. The Constitution went into operation with general consent, and has ever since been strictly observed." —Ramsay's History of South Carolina, vol. ii. p. 432. OPINIONS, SELECTED FROM DEBATES IN CONGRESS, FROM 1789 TO 1836, INVOLVING CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES. Oath. On a Bill prescribing the Oath to support the Consti tution. May 6, 1789. Mr. GERRY said, he did not discover what part of the Constitution gave to Congress the power of making this provision, (for regulating the time and manner of administering certain oaths,) except so much of it as respects the form of the oath; it is not expressly given by any clause of the Constitution, and, if it does not exist, must arise from the sweeping clause, as it is frequently termed, in the 8th section of the 1st article of the Constitution, which authorizes Congress "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof." To this clause there seems to be no limitation, so far as it applies to the extension of the powers vested by the Constitution; but even this clause gives no legislative authority to Congress to carry into effect any power not expressly vested by the Constitution. In the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, provision is made that the members of the legislatures of the several states, and all executive and judicial officers thereof, shall be bound by oath to support the Constitution. But there is no provision for empowering the government of the United States, or any officer or department thereof, to pass a law obligatory on the members of the legislatures of the several states, and other officers thereof, to take this oath. This is made their duty already by the Constitution, and no such law of Congress can add force to the obligation; but, on the other hand if it is admitted that such a law is necessary, it tends to weaken the Con stitution, which requires such aid neither is any law, other than to pre scribe the form of the oath, necessary or proper to carry this part of the Constitution into effect; for the oath required by the Constitution, being a necessary qualification for the state officers mentioned, cannot be dispensed with by any authority whatever, other than the people, and the judicial power of the United States, extending to all cases arising in law or equity under this Constitution. The judges of the United States, who are bound to support the Constitution, may, in all cases within their jurisdiction, annul the official acts of state officers, and even the acts of the members of the state legislatures, if such members and officers were disqualified to do or pass such acts, by neglecting or refusing to take this oath. Mr. BLAND had no doubt respecting the powers of Congress on this subject. The evident meaning of the words of the Constitution implied that Congress should have the power to pass a law directing the time and manner of taking the oath prescribed for supporting the Constitution, There can be no hesitation respecting the power to direct their own officers, and the constituent parts of Congress: besides, if the state legislatures were to be left to direct and arrange this business, they would pass different laws, and the officers might be bound in different degrees to support the Constitution. He not only thought Congress had the power to do what was proposed by the Senate, but he judged it expedient also. Mr. JACKSON. The states had better be left to regulate this matter among themselves; for an oath that is not voluntary is seldom held sacred. Compelling people to swear to support the Constitution will be like the attempts of Britain, during the late revolution, to secure the fidelity of those who fell within the influence of her arms; and like those attempts they will be frustrated. The moment the party could get from under her wings, the oath of allegiance was disregarded. If the state officers will not willingly pay this testimony of their attachment to the Constitution, what is extorted from them against their inclination is not much to be relied on. Mr. LAWRENCE. Only a few words will be necessary to convince us that Congress have this power. It is declared by the Constitution, that its ordinances shall be the supreme law of the land. If the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, every part of it must partake of this supremacy; consequently, every general declaration it contains is the supreme law. But then these general declarations cannot be carried into effect without particular regulations adapted to the circumstances: these particular regulations are to be made by Congress, who, by the Constitu tion, have power to make all laws necessary or proper to carry the declarations of the Constitution into effect. The Constitution likewise declares that the members of the state legislatures, and all officers, executive and judicial, shall take an oath to support the Constitution. This declaration is general, and it lies with the supreme legislature to detail and regulate it. Mr. SHERMAN. It appears necessary to point out the oath itself, as well as the time and manner of taking it. No other legislature is competent to all these purposes; but if they were, there is a propriety in the supreme legislature's doing it. At the same time, if the state legislatures take it up, it cannot operate disagreeably upon them, to find all their neighboring states obliged to join them in supporting a measure they approve. What a state legislature may do, will be good as far as it goes. On the same principle, the Constitution will apply to each individual of the state officers: they may go, without the direction of the state legislature, to a justice, and take the oath voluntarily. This, I suppose, would be binding upon them; but this is not satisfactory the government ought to know that the oath has been properly taken; and this can only be done by a general regulation. If it is in the |