5

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

DEPARTMENT OP STATE.

To all to whom these presents shall come greeting: I certify
that annexed is a true copy of a concurrent resolution of Con-
gress, entitled, "Joint Resolution proposing tin amendment
to the Constitution of the United States;" the original of
which resolution, received to-day is on file in this Depart-
ment.

----------- In testimony whereof, I, William H. Seward,
- SEAL - Secretary of State of the United States, have here-
----------- unto subscribed my name and caused the Seal of
the Department of State to be affixed.

The Committee have considered the question of ratification
thus submitted to the Legislature of Maryland, with all the
careful deliberation which so important a measure demands.

The State of Maryland has the deepest interest in the
speedy and peaceful restoration of friendly relations, and in-
tercourse between all the States and sections of the Union.—
Her geographical position, her intimate connexions in trade,
commerce and travel, with all portions of the Union, as well
as her patriotic desire for the prosperity aad happiness of the
whole country, would induce her to make every possible sac-
rifice to promote the great objects of the Federal Constitution.
These are declared to be "to establish justice, insure domes-
tic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the
general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to our-
selves and our prosperity."

We have to confess that we are unable to discover any pos-
sible tendency in the proposed amendment to promote any of
these indispensable requisites of good government.

The distribution of powers between the Federal and State
Governments, when acting in harmonious co-operation,
having proved adequate to every emergency, in peace and in
war, during the entira existence of the Constitution down to
our late unhappy troubles, and having elevated our country
to the highest point of national prosperity and greatness, the
wisdom, patriotism and sagacity of the framere of the Con-
stitution were exhibited by the results of their labors.
In the proposition now under consideration, the people of the
several States, acting through their several Legislatures, are
called upon to strip themselves and their State Governments
of powers most vital to their safety aad freedom, yea, even to
their continued existence in any useful or practical operation;
and to bestow those powers upon the Federal Government.

Before yielding to such a demand, the proposition ought
to receive the most careful consideration in all its aspects
and consequences.