Congress Jan. 9.- The House were engaged the whole day on the questions
connected with the presentation of Abolition Petitions by Mr. Adams. The first
petition was from 150 women and children, praying for the Abolition of Slavery
in the District of Columbia. Mr. Glascock of Geo. objected to the reception of
the petition, with a few remarks. Mr. Parks moved to lay the question of reception
on the table- which was agreed to by the House- Mr. Adams remarking that he should
call up the petition every morning during the session until it was properly disposed
of. Mr. A. then presented a memorial of 200 other females, citizens of South Weymouth,
praying for the same object. Mr. A. proceeded to read this petition, after stating
that is was very brief. Several members called Mr. A. to order. Mr. Chambers,
of Ky. made a point of order. The Chair decided that Mr. A. could not read the
memorial and must confine himself to a brief statement of the contents of the
paper. Mr. A. said he intended to appeal from the decision of the chair if he
understood it. "If it was intended to suppress the liberty of speech and
the right to discussion in the House, so help him GOD, he would resist it."
Some discussion took place on the question of order.
Mr. Adams said the rule read by the Chair was obsolete. He hoped the gentleman
from Ky. would withdraw his objection, and permit him to finish reading the
memorial. There were but two lines more of it, and those it was important for
the House to hear. He would compromise the matter and withdraw his appeal, if
the House would suffer him to complete his really "brief statement."
Mr. A. proceeded. The memorialists conclude by stating that they renew their
memorial every year, during their lives, &c.
Loud cries of "order," "order," from every part of the
House.
The Speaker said, the gentleman from Mass. must come to order.
Mr. Adams proceeded, raising his voice, which was, however, completely drowned
by tremendous cries of "order," "order."
The Speaker rose, and under great excitement, peremptorily ordered the member
from Mass. to take his seat.
Mr. Adams having concluded his remarks, sat down: at the same time saying,
- "I withdraw my appeal."
Mr. Glascock objected to the reception of the petition.
After some more uproar the main question,- "shall the petition be received,"
was taken and decided in the affirmative, yeas 137, nays 75, accordingly the
petition was received, and laid on the table on motion of Mr. Haynes. Mr. Adams
then rose and presented another petition of the same character, from sundry
citizens of his District. Another uproarious debate on the reception of this
memorial appeared to be in progress, when the House thought fit to adjourn.
By the rules as construed by Mr. Speaker Polk, the resolution of the last session,
disposing of these memorials without debate, is considered as having expired
with the last session, so the field is open for a repetition of the angry debate
of last winter on the topic.
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