Though the members of the convention seemed to display an unalterable resolution to "resist even unto death if necessary" rather than submit to the "tyranny of their opponents," they seemed anxious to adopt such a course as would make the Nullifiers the aggressors. Without commencing or provoking any hostilities they tried to make preparations to repel any attack made upon themselves.
Meetings were soon held in the various districts to receive the reports of their delegates and approve the action of the convention. At the Charleston meeting Joel R. Poinsett related an incident of the convention which showed how serious the Union men considered their position. The officers of a regiment assured him that if the test oath should be enforced they were ready with their regiment to shoulder their muskets and "seek liberty of conscience and the right of freemen in another clime"; they desired to know from him whether the general government would not assign them a territory for that purpose. He told them to "stand fast"; that they had a right to the soil, and that the "laws and authority of their country" would protect and shield them from tyranny where they stood; that for his part, here
