Page:Nullification Controversy in South Carolina.djvu/63

 cling to state rights, even to the literal and logical conclusions of that doctrine, was not sufficiently strong, would not throw his hat into the ring until more thoroughly convinced that it was necessary as a last and only measure.

When the legislature—with which some in the state were disgusted, but to which many still confided their hope for the future—met on the last Monday in November, it spent much time in lively debate on the question of federal relations, and ended by adopting another set of resolutions which in reality went little if at all farther than the previous ones. The usurpations of the general government were solemnly deliberated upon, and in the House were referred to a special committee of seven upon "Relations with the General Government," which was the precursor of a standing committee upon the same matter in later years, known as the "Committee on Federal Relations." This committee recommended a preamble and resolutions which the House adopted after slightly amending them.

They expressed confidence in the President and his inaugural promises in all particulars except as to the tariff; they declared that a mere modifica-