Proclamation by Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), President of the United States, 10 December 1832 (litho)

Proclamation attacks the South Carolina Convention (1832-33) that passed the nullification ordinance. Denounces nullification as treason and rebellion, and warns the people of South Carolina to obey the laws. Jackson declares that "the power to annul a law of the United States, assume [sic] by one State, INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE EXISTENCE OF THE UNION ... INCONSISTENT WITH EVERY PRINCIPLE ON WHICH IT WAS FOUNDED AND DESTRUCTIVE ..." Warns that South Carolina cannot stand alone and that seceding from the Union would be a detriment to the state. In 1832, in an effort to conciliate the South, Jackson proposed a lower tariff. Revenue from the existing tariff (together with the sale of public lands) was so high that the federal debt was quickly being paid off. In fact, on January 1, 1835, the U.S. Treasury had a ,000 surplus. The new tariff was somewhat lower than the Tariff of 1828, but still maintained the principle of protection. In protest, South Carolina's fiery "states' righters" declared both the Tariff of 1832 and the Tariff of 1828 null and void. To defend nullification, the state legislature voted to raise an army. Although President Jackson owed his election to the presidency to southern slaveholder votes, he was an ardent unionist who was willing to risk civil war in order to defy South Carolina's nullification threats. In the proclamation that follows, Jackson declared nullification illegal and became the first President to declare the Union indissoluble. He then asked Congress to empower him to use force to execute federal law; Congress promptly enacted a Force Act. Privately, Jackson threatened to ""hang every leader...of that infatuated people, sir, by martial law, irrespective of his name, or political or social position."" He also dispatched a fleet of eight ships and a shipment of 5000 muskets to a federal installation in Charleston harbor. In 1833 a compromise was made between South Carolina and the federal government but the divide deepened between the North and the South.