Martin Van Buren's Calumnies Repudiated: Hamilton's Conduct as Secretary of the Treasury Vindicated (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Martin Van Buren's Calumnies Repudiated: Hamilton's Conduct as Secretary of the Treasury Vindicated

In this connection it is important to refer to the second Act passed by Congress, and approved by Washington, on the 20th July, 1789, for laying duties 011 goods, wares, and merchandise imported into the United States. The recital to this Act is as follows: Whereas it is necessary for the support of Govern ment, for the discharge of the debts of the United States, and the encouragement and protection of manufactures, that duties be levied on goods, wares, and merchandise imported, &c. The discussion of this Act, which was introduced by Mr. Madison, began in the House of Representatives on the 8th April, and ended May 16th, 17 89 - ayes 41, nays 8. The question of the constitutional power was only once referred to, and by Mr. Mad ison, who said: When these States retained the power of mak ing regulations of trade, they had the power to protect and cher ish such institutions. By adopting the present Constitution, they have thrown the exercise of this power into other hands. They must have done this with an expectation that these inter ests would not have been neglected.

Mr. Van Buren refers to Mr. Madison's efforts to pass this Act he, however, does not quote or refer to the preamble, or to this part of the discussion. This omission as to the preamble could not have been the result of ignorance. What was it, then? The discussion he may not have read.

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