and has been done, and well done, without this assumption; therefore, it does not stand on that degree of necessity which can honestly justify it. It may be said, that a bank whose bills would have a currency all over the States, would be more convenient than one whose currency is limited to a single State. So it would be still more convenient, that there should be a bank whose bills should have a currency all over the world. But it does not follow from this superior conveniency, that there exists any where a power to establish such a bank, or that the world may not go on very well without it. Can it be thought that the constitution intended, that for a shade or two of convenience, more or less, Congress should be authorised to break down the most antient and fundamental laws of the several States, such as those against mortmain, the laws of alienage, the rules of descent, the acts of distribution, the laws of escheat and forfeiture, and the laws of monopoly. Nothing but a necessity invincible by any other means, can justify such a prostration of laws, which constitute the pillars of our whole system of jurisprudence. Will Congress be too strait laced to carry the constitution into honest effect, unless they may pass over the foundation laws of the State governments, for the slighest convenience to theirs? The negative of the President is the shield provided by the constitution, to protect against the invasions of the legislature, 1. the rights of the Executive; 2. of the Judiciary; 3. of the States and State legislatures. The present is the case of a right remaining exclusively with the States, and is, consequently, one of those intended by the constitution to be placed under his protection. It must be added, however, that unless the President's mind, on a view of every thing which is urged for and against this bill, is tolerably clear that it is unauthorised by the constitution, if the pro and the con hang so even as to balance his judgment, a just respect for the wisdom of the legislature would naturally decide the balance in favor of their opinion. It is chiefly for cases where they are clearly misled by error, ambition, or interest, that the constitution has placed a check in the negative of the President. TH: JEFFERSON. February 15, 1791. Adams John, letters to, 168, 170, 191, 193, 201, 204, 222, 226, 240, 261, 266, 271, 296, 299, 300, 308, 309, 314, 319, 329, Adams Mrs. letters to, 17, 22, 26. Adams John Quincy, letter to, 439. Albemarle County, letter to the inhabitants of, 128. Bowdoin Mr. letters to, 59, 70, 95. Breckenridge General, letter to, 341. 344 Brown Doctor James, letter to, 114. Burwell W. A. letter to, 61. C. Cabell Joseph C. letters to, 238, 333, 340, 386, 411. Carr Dabney, letter to, 269. Cartwright Major John, letter to, 393. Claiborne Governor, letter to, 25. Colvin J. B. letter to, 149. Dearborne General, letters to, 148, 165, 257. Dickinson John, letter to, 64. Digges Mr. letter to, 56. Diodati M. le Comte, letter to, 68. Duane Colonel William, letters to, 44, 100, 180. E. Eppes John W. letters to, 196, 207. Everett Edward, letter to, 408. Eustis Doctor, letter to, 120. F. Fayette Marquis de la, letters to, 96, 246, 303, 383. G. Gallatin Albert, letters to, 11, 63, 76, 135, 305. Gerry Elbridge, letters to, 15, 176. Giles William B. letters to, 72, 419, 421. Gilmer Francis W. letter to, 278. Gooch Claiborne W. letter to, 424. H. Harris Mr. letter to, 48. Hay George, letters to, 75, 78, 83, 84, 86, 90, 101, 102, 103. Hollins John, letter to, 124. Holmes John, letter to, 323. J. Johnson Richard M. letter to, 109. Johnson Judge, letter to, 368. Jones Doctor Walter, letters to, 143, 234. K. Kerchival Samuel, letters to, 138, 285, 294. Kosciusko General, letter to, 140. L. Langdon Governor, letter to, 144. Law Mr. letter to, 152. Leib Doctor, letter to, 112. Leiper Thomas, letters to, 231, 263. Lincoln Levi, letters to, 1, 110, 116. M. Madison James, letters to, 24, 127, 131, 175, 259, 374, 414, Mazzei P. letter to, 20. Melish Mr. letter to, 182. Millar Reverend Mr. letter to, 103. Monroe Colonel, letters to, 51, 67, 105, 106, 121, 164, 244, 366, 381. Morse Jedediah, letter to, 345. Maury James, letter to, 172. N. Nemours M. Dupont de, letters to, 5, 125. Neuville M. de, letter to, 311. Nicholas Wilson C. letters to, 2, 46, 47, 66. Nicholas letter to, 344. Nicholson Mr. letter to, 28. Norvell John, letter to, 79. P. Page Governor, letters to, 19, 98. Randolph John, letter to, 10. R. Randolph Thomas Mann, letter to, 123. Ritchie Thomas, letter to, 336. Roane Judge, letter to, 316. Rodney Cæsar A. letters to, 137, 255. Rogers and Slaughter Doctors, letter to, 43. Rush Doctor Benjamin, letters to, 4, 154, 166. Russia, letter to the Emperor of, 50. |