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Letters of Dr. Tliomas Cooper, 1825-1832 731 construe the Constitution, is to make [it] whatever the Judges choose to make it. Look at the caution against the judiciary in General Hamil- ton's excellent argument in the people v. Crossvvell 3 Johnson's Cases 337.' When you add to this influence, the sweeping power under Gen- eral Welfare, and the United States Bank, I am tempted to exclaim C'en est fait de nous. Yours truly Thomas Cooper. Pray write to me, how stands the motion about the Judiciary in your [house?] Did not Van Beuren introduce some clauses and Rowan some amendments? Who and what is Rowan?" I think Van B. spoke too much like a Lawyer. The fulsome panegyrics on the Sup. Court are not deserved. They are all ultra federalists but W. Johnson, and he is a conceited man without talents. CoLUiiEiA Jan. iS 1S29 My dear Sir I am glad you have brought on again your motion. It is in my opinion prudent and honest, and will check the extravagances of inter- nal Improvement, if it cannot prevent them. I hope you have read my essay on Malaria, with your ponds and Shrubberys in full recollection. I do not like them. 1 write to introduce to your notice an intelligent and worthy young man, Thomas ^Jefferson Withers, who is politically all you could wish, saving as to the Tariff. You must allow us in the South, to look through our own coloured Spectacles, and you through yours. It may be a measure gainful to the Middle States, but it will be death to us. However, I have done with it. I shall oppose it no more. I will re- move to either Louisiana or the Mississippi territory.' I should prefer the latter. Here I will not stay. Pray introduce Withers to the Mis- sissippi members that he may make inquiries for me. I live here the life of a Toad under a harrow.* Now and then I get a small box of minerals which cheer me ; you cannot conceive at this my second child- hood, how gratified I am with these play things. They really add much to my pleasures. I look at my collection every week, with the eyes of a Collector and the feelings of one. Adieu. Will Hamilton bring on the Sedition Law ? He is a good fellow, although he be an anti Tariffite like Your friend and humble Ser' Thomas Cooper. 'The prosecution of Harry Croswell, in 1S03, for libel on Jefferson; Alexander Hamilton was of counsel for Croswell. 2 John Rowan, senator from Kentucky 1825-1S31. 3 The reading of this sentence is not quite certain. 'Cooper's anti-clerical sentiments and outspoken heterodoxy were making trouble for him in his capacity as president of the college.