<P> Resolved, That the legislature of New Hampshire unequivocally express a firm resolution to maintain and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of this state, against every aggression, either foreign or domestic, and that they will support the government of the United States in all measures warranted by the former . </P> <P> That the state legislatures are not the proper tribunals to determine the constitutionality of the laws of the general government; that the duty of such decision is properly and exclusively confided to the judicial department . </P> <P> Alexander Hamilton, then building up the army, suggested sending it into Virginia, on some "obvious pretext". Measures would be taken, Hamilton hinted to an ally in Congress, "to act upon the laws and put Virginia to the Test of resistance". </P> <P> In January 1800, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Report of 1800, a document written by Madison to respond to criticism of the Virginia Resolution by other states . The Report of 1800 reviewed and affirmed each part of the Virginia Resolution, affirming that the states have the right to declare that a federal action is unconstitutional . The Report went on to assert that a declaration of unconstitutionality by a state would be an expression of opinion, without legal effect . The purpose of such a declaration, said Madison, was to mobilize public opinion and to elicit cooperation from other states . Madison indicated that the power to make binding constitutional determinations remained in the federal courts: </P>

Why are the virginia and kentucky resolutions important