Page:Henry Adams' History of the United States Vol. 1.djvu/150

1800. and navy," in order "to take and surprise, by all ways and means whatsoever, all and every such person or persons (with their ships, arms, ammu­nition, and other goods) as shall in a hostile man­ner invade or attempt the invading, conquering, or annoying this Commonwealth;" but although Massa­chusetts expressed the power in language more de­tailed, Virginia held to its essence with equal tenacity. When experience showed the necessity of" creating a more perfect union, "none of the great States were unanimous for the change. Massachusetts and New York were with difficulty induced to accept the Constitution of 1787. Their final assent was wrung from them by the influence of the cities and of the com­mercial class; but Virginia contained no cities and few merchants. The majority by which the State Convention of Virginia, after an obstinate contest, adopted the Constitution, was influenced by pure pa­triotism as far as any political influence could be called pure; but the popular majority was probably hostile to the Constitution, and certainly remained hostile to the exercise of its powers. From the first the State took an attitude of opposition to the national govern­ment, which became more and more decided, until in 1798 it found expression in a formal announcement, through the legislature and governor, that the limit of further obedience was at hand. The General As­sembly adopted Resolutions promising support to the government of the United States in all measures warranted by the Constitution, but declaring the powers