Thomas Cooper was a lawyer and newspaper editor in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, was charged with violating the Sedition Act. He went on trial in 1800, convicted, and fined. To learn more about the case, view the arrest warrant that was issued in the case. To see a transcript of the warrant, click here, and select "sedition_acts_cooper" from Mr. Albert's web page. Use these documents and what you know about the Sedition Act to answer the questions below:
1. In your own words, describe what Mr. Cooper was charged with based on the arrest warrant. Use your online dictionary for unfamiliar words.
2. As you know, James Madison wrote the Virginia resolutions, and Thomas Jefferson wrote the Kentucky resolutions. These resolutions said the states could declare a federal law "unconstitutional," and not follow that law. What would happen if states actually refused to follow laws that the states feel do not follow the Constitution?
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