Final answer:
The historic debate was between Daniel Webster, who defended federal authority and the supremacy of national laws, and Robert Hayne, who supported state sovereignty and nullification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The debate between Senator Daniel Webster of Massachusetts and Senator Robert Hayne of South Carolina revolved around the contentious issue of nullification and states' rights. Senator Hayne argued that opposition to the tariffs in the South was about preserving the Union against federal overreach. In contrast, Senator Webster contended that upon ratifying the Constitution, states had acknowledged the laws of the United States as the supreme law of the land.
This debate was a precursor to the growing tension between President Andrew Jackson and Vice President John C. Calhoun over nullification, which was later displayed at a public banquet. While they both wanted to reduce tariffs, Jackson could not condone labeling them unconstitutional or allow states to nullify federal laws.
The author of the South Carolina Exposition and Protest was John C. Calhoun, who was deeply involved in the nullification crisis and was a staunch advocate for states' rights and southern interests. Daniel Webster was a key figure promoting the preservation of the Union, often speaking against the notion of disunion and seeking harmonious resolutions through compromises such as Henry Clay's proposed Omnibus Bill.