Strictures on Nullification

by Alexander Hill Everett

"Strictures on Nullification" by Alexander Hill Everett is a political treatise written in the early 19th century. The work critically addresses the contentious issue of nullification as it emerged in discussions around tariff laws and states' rights, particularly focusing on actions taken by South Carolina. The text likely serves as a response to arguments made by notable politicians of the time, underscoring the author's commitment to the principles laid out in the U.S. Constitution. The opening of the work sets the stage for a profound examination of the concept of nullification, which South Carolina had begun advocating as a means to reject federal tariff laws. Everett details the state’s actions, including the summoning of a legislature and the formation of a convention aimed at passing an 'Ordinance to nullify' said laws. He challenges the legal justifications for such actions, arguing that they contradict constitutional principles and would ultimately be both impractical and detrimental to the stability of the nation. Throughout, he engages with the intellectual underpinnings of nullification, dissecting the claims put forth by its supporters while maintaining that true authority rests with the federal system established by the Constitution.