The strongest weapon in the hands of its opponents appears to have been a threat of repealing the stay-law in retaliation.[11] At the end of the year the prohibitory act had its life prolonged until the beginning of 1793; and continuation acts adopted every two or three years thereafter extended the regime until the end of 1803.

The constitutionality of the prohibition was tested before the judiciary of the state in January, 1802, when the five assembled judges unanimously pronounced it valid.[12] [Footnote 11: _Georgia State Gazette_ (Savannah), Feb.

17, 1788.] [Footnote 12: Augusta, Ga., _Chronicle_, Jan.

30, 1802.] But at last the advocates of the open trade had their innings.

The governor in a message of November 24, 1803, recited that his best exertions to enforce the law had been of no avail.