Thomas Jefferson on the Relationship between the State Governments and the Federal Government.

This selection is an extract from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to Major Cartwright, dated June 5, 1824. Of interest is how Jefferson decsribes the relationship between the State governments and the federal government coupled with the process for conflict resolution via a convention of States.

August Glen-James, editor

They are co-ordinate departments of one simple and integral whole.

With respect to our state and federal governments, I do not think their relations correctly understood by foreigners. They generally suppose the former subordinate to the latter. But this is not the case. They are co-ordinate departments of one simple and integral whole. To the state governments are reserved all legislation and administration, in affairs which concern their own citizens only, and to the federal government is given whatever concerns foreigners, or the citizens of other states; these functions alone being made federal. The one is domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government; neither having control over the other, but within its own department. There are one or two exceptions only to this partition of power. But, you may ask, if the two departments should claim each the same subject of power, where is the common umpire to decide ultimately between them? In cases of little importance or urgency, the prudence of both parties will keep them aloof from the questionable ground: but if it can neither be avoided nor compromised, a convention of the states must be called, to ascribe the doubtful power to that department which they may think best.