Enforcing the Tariff, Charleston, South Carolina by Robert Lavin

In 1832, South Carolina adopted an ordinance declaring " and void" two federal tariff acts, threatening to resist and secede from the United States if the federal government attempted collection. In response, Congress gave President Andrew Jackson the authority to use the armed forces if necessary to collect the taxes. During the crisis, Castle Pinckney, in the middle of Charleston Harbor, was established as the Customs House and flew the revenue cutter ensign. As ships from foreign ports entered the harbor, Revenue Cutter Service officers and other federal officials boarded them and inspected their cargoes. The local populace developed a rebellious mentality and began to fly the French tricolor as a symbol of revolution against "King Andrew's" authority. Only a compromise tariff passed in March 1833, which gradually reduced the tax, averted an open rebellion. This was an important test of the Revenue Cutter Service and helped shape American history. (Permission to reprint this work must be obtained from the artist. For information, contact Mary Ann Bader at [email protected].)