94

REPORTS AND PUBLIC LETTERS.

deliberate examination, with all the aids which my reasonand experience could furnish ; I have expressed them honest-ly and fearlessly, regardless of their effects personally, which,however interesting to me individually, are of too little im-portance to be taken into the estimate, where the libertyand happiness of our country are so vitally involved.

John 0. Calhoun.

Fort Hill, July 26th, 1831.

REPORT

Prepared for the Committee on Federal Relations ofthe Legislature of South Carolina , at its Sessionin November, 1831..

The committee, to whom was referred so much of theGovernor’s message as refers to the relation between theStates and General Government, and the subjects imme-diately connected therewith,—have had the same under con-sideration, with that anxious solicitude to arrive at the truth,which their deep importance, and the existing relationsgrowing out of them, so seriously demand. The result hasbeen a deeper conviction, if possible, of the truth of thedoctrines for which this State contends, and the necessity ofmaintaining them at every sacrifice, in order to preserve theConstitution, —the Union,—and the liberty of the country.

In presenting the result of their deliberations, yourcommittee propose to touch on a few prominent pointsonly, which the present state of this long protracted struggleon the part of the State to maintain its rights, seems torender necessary,—passing by in silence all of minor impor-