Situated as we are, with a flood of—— emigration constantly pouring in upon us, I consider that it is not only prudential but absolutely necessary, to protect the inhabitants of this , from being imposed upon by a spurious currency. Many of our Eastern and old Country friends are altogether unacquainted with the situation of the banks in this region of country, and as they generally bring specie with them, they are in danger of being gulled perpetually by speculators. Besides there is so much uncertainty in the solvency of the best of banks, that I think it much safer to go upon the hard money system altogether. I have examined the Constitution upon this subject, and find my doubts removed. The Constitution is not a law, but it empowers the people to make Laws; for instance the Constitution governs the land of but it is not a law for the people. The Constitution tells us what shall not be lawful tender, the 10 Section declares that nothing else except Gold and Silver shall be lawful tender, this is not saying that Gold and Silver shall be lawful tender; it only provides that the States may make a law to make Gold and Silver lawful tender. I know of no State in the Union that has passed such a law, and I am sure that has not. The Legislature has ceded up to us the privilege of enacting such laws as are not inconsistent with the Constitution of the and the State of ; and we stand in the same relation to the State, as the State does to the Union. The clause referred to in the Constitution is for the Legislature, it is not a law for the People. The different States and even Congress itself have passed many laws diametrically contrary to the Constitution of the . The State of has passed a stay law making property a lawful tender for the payment of debts, and if we have no law on the subject, we must be governed by them. Shall we be such fools as to be governed by their laws which are Unconstitutional? No! we will make a law for Gold and Silver, and then their law ceases and we can collect our debts. Powers not delegated to the States or reserved from the States are Constitutional. The Constitution acknowledges that the People have all power not—— reserved to itself. I am a Lawyer, I <​am​> a big Lawyer, and comprehend Heaven, Earth, and Hell, to bring forth knowledge that shall cover up all Lawyers, Doctors, and other big bodies. This is the doctrine of the Constitution, So help me God. The Constitution is not law to us, but it makes provision for us whereby we can make laws. Where it provides that no one shall be hindered from worshipping God according [HC 5:289] to his own conscience is a Law. No Legislature can enact a Law to prohibit it. The Constitution provides to regulate bodies of men and not Individuals.