Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-02-17
Affdira at UaattnDtot.
WASHINGTON, 9th Feb. 1887,

WASHINGTON, 9th Feb. 1887.
have witnessed, this day, in the House Of
Representatives one Of the most extraordinary
scenes, tina, have ever witnessed in any de-.
Lucrative body. 1t presents case not sus-
ceptibIe ofdescription. Whether to treat tia
serious or ludicrous | know not. Mr.. Adams
was the source-the exciting cause Of all that
occurred for Mondays are his days of.xhi.
blton Nor am able 10 decide whether he
{ did or did not intend to produce the storm
which followed. confess. my present i'm,
pressions are that he did not intend it; but il
he did, it was puerile and undgnfed
On every Monday for some weeks past, he
has presented, (to the great annoyance Of tho
Souhen Melnbers) what is termed abolition
petitions. They pray for the abolition Of
slvery in the Ds,rc, Of Columbia. 1t is due
to Mr.. Adams to state the fact, that he has
avswcd, on the floor Of the House and else
where, that he does not agree with the petit.
tiioners in opinion, and that he would vote,
if the question came TO vote, against gram
ting the prayer Of the petition: but that he
held the right cF petitonCg sacred and as
representative in Congress, would present all
transmitted to him for that purpose, which
were respectful in their language.
By the rules of the House, it is the duty Of
every member, when he presents petitions
10 make brief statement Of lis contents. By
another special rule " resolution, adoted du.
ring the last and present sessions, all petitions
in any way relating 10 The subject Of slavery,
ATE TO be laid on the table without any active
thereon,
Among The petitions presented this NOR"
ming. by Mr.. Adams, was one from some
blacks, which he called persons, and OF
whom he said ne knew nothing, as they were
in the State of Virginia. This petition was
laid on the table. He then stated that he
held in his hand a paper, purporting to be
signed by about twenty slaves, residing in
Fredericksburg, addressed to Congress. and
he wished to ask the Speaker whether it
would be in order, under the rules of the
House, to present such paper or petitions
Its effect can neither be depicted nor mag
med. In few seconds all was uproar and
confusion. HalEa dozen gentlemen from
the South attempted to address the Speak.
er at the same time; but at length, Mr. Pat
ten of Virginia, obtained the floor, and
moved to suspend the rule, for the purpose
of permitting him to offer a resolution in
relation to the petition just laid on the table.
THIS was carried, whereupon he moved that
the petition be returned to Mr.. Adams.
The whole South now seemed to be a
flame; and without permitting the Speaker
10 decide on the inrerrogatory propunded
by the gentleman from Massachusetts. (Mr
Adams motion after motion was offered
from various quarters Of the house, moro
or less severe, as the proposers were more
or less excited; bu, all contemplating that
Mr., Adams should be brought to the bar OF
| the House and ensured for presenting 4
petition from slaves, praying to be freed.
These several resolutions were accom-
panied with The most violent and infiama.
tory speeches from the moves and those
who acted with them. This scene contn-
ued for three or four Lonrs, during the
whole of which time Mr. Adams remained
perfectly silent and apparently comDosed.
| At length whisper pervadeh the House
| hat the petition (whch had not yet been
| Dresented) was not an aboiitiOn petition,
and that there was something behind not
yet known.
Mr. Patton made few remarks, and call
ed upon the gentlemen from Massachusetts
for some explanation.
Mr.. Adams said. that while he was on
triat he had thought 1t most proper for
him to remain silent which he had accor-
rtctly stated in he resolution Of censure,
before he was brought to the bar Of the
House, and when brought there, he pre-.
sumed the proceedings would not be stop.
ped by The precious question. The resolu.
ton stated, that he had presented or offer.
ed petition; this was not correct-he
had only asked the Speaker whether it
would be in order to present such petit
uon' The resolution further stated-that
It was petition from slaves, praying the
abolition Of slarern this was not correct; it
was of gerry different character.
After most eloquent appeal, Mr..
Adams took his sea, without stating pres
csely what The petition did contain. But
some of his friends having now read it. the
facts were stated, not on the floor, but in
conversation among the members, that it
was a petition from certain negroes in
lederlck,bnrgh evidently prepared to in"
suit the member from Massachusetts. as it
was sent to him for presentation, praying
Congress not 10 abolish shirery, and TO er.
pei him (Mr .Adams) and every other aboH.
lion members,
This discovery, if possible, increased the
excitement a,rong he gentlemen from ths
Soutn ana the resolution 10 cenSure was
then so amended as to censure him for iris
fling with the feelings of the slave holding
The scene was now mixture
of The comic and he serious. Many who
diSapproved OF Mr., Adams silence. and
permitting the debate TO continue for hours,
when he had the power to put stop to 1t
IN moment, could not refrain from laugh.
ING at The tempest which hac been raised
SO uselessly.
In the midst Of this excitement, however,
at about o'clock the House adjourned
W If hout anv dpcIs,on The resOlut ION nan