Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-02-16

-. <AH~iot LAWFUL fthieoy,
riekens and Lincoln. and no decision
was arrived at.
On "Wednesday, this being the day
Tor examining the votes FOR President
and Vice President. the case Of MIR.
Adams was postponed.
THURSDAY. Feb. q.
The House resumed the subject of
The resolutions Tor the ccnsure OF the
Hon. John Quincy Adams. The aues-
tion being on the amendment offered
by Mr.. Patton.
MIR. Millisan, Of Del. AFTER some re-
marks on the subject. advsrted 10 the
shortness Of the time allowed for the
completion OF the business Of the se.-
sion, aud moved that the subject be
laid on the table.
MIR. Adams rose and earnestly resist
ed the motion 10 lay the subject ON the
table. Nothing. he said. would ag-
grieve him more than 10 dismiss the
subject. withou, afording him an OPP
portunity TO address the House in his
defence. after having been arraigned
at ITS bar, on account Of mis- conduct
here.
Mr.. Milligan withdrew the motion
TO lie on the table.
Mr.. Adams then said that he did
DOT wish to arrest the deliberations OF
tho House. But before the question
was taken, he desired the privilege TO
address the House IN double capaci-
y as member OF the House. and as
The individual arraigned. He also gave
no'ice that u the resolution Of censure
Old not pass. he should then call the
attention Of the House to the original
question. concerning which the present
proceedings had arisen.
Several members addressed the Chair
At once. but the aoor was obtained BY
Mr.. Evans, OF Milne. who spoke AZ
length IN opposition TO the proposition
to censuIe the hon. member from Mas
.achuse!ts. He said tina, nothing would
be more vague and indefinite than the
charge made in the resolution. II
charged the member not with any spe-
cihc offence. bu; with giving color 10
all idea Some gentlemen. however,
supported the resolution, be cause Mr..
Adams had presented a petition from
Tree c"!ored women, and others because
he had presented many abolition pe,i.
Tons; butneiiher of those charges were
put IN the resolution. But the gentle
man from Georgia. (Mr. IIalsey, made
The offence 10 consist in criminal in.
tent, TO be inferred from his conduct.
others said that his offence was in bav.
ing committed an outrage on the feel.
ings OF the House. All these charges
be considered and attempted TO show
their insufhciency. He admitted the
right OF the House to punish for disor-
deIly conduct any OF i,s members, but
no disorder was imputed TO the mem
Der now arraigned. He had violated
no parliamentary law. He said tina,
lhis matter was destined to make grea,
excitement in the country; and be warn
Cd gentlemen thatevery aitem pt 10 sup
press the liberty Of speech, of the
press and Of petition, the greater was
the number Of champions who would
be raised up in their defence. He also
maintained, that the assertion Of oppo.
sition to slavery aud the internal slave
trade IN the North, was not an insult 10
the South. The doctrine Of Virginia,
as maintained by all the leading states.
men Of Virgins. from the revolution
I'LL the present time, was, that slavery
was moral and political evil. The
northern petitioners had borrowed their
Language aud sheir doctrines in refer
enoe to slavery from the Virginia ora.
tors and statesmen.
After various proceedings on the
question Of order, the resolution was
modified.
The previous question was then put,
viz: Shall the main question be now
pct = and decided in the affirmative.
The main question was then divided.
And on the question that the House
do agree 10 The 6rst resolution, which
is as follows:
RsSoirsd, That any member who shaIi here.
after present any petition froOi tue slaves Oh
tbs linton, ought 10 be eonsideredas re..rdirs,'
OF the feelings Of the House. the riEhts If the,
southern States, aud unfriendlJ TO the UuIyn I
II was decided in the nsgsiirs.
Geas-92. Nays-lo5.
The question was then put that the
House do agree 10 tho second resolution
which IL as followS:
R'seissd, That the Hon. John q. histn,hs,.
lng sole nnly dscisimed slides!x IN u doing any
unhs dsrespectfulto tie IIouss IN the ino,,iry
nc made Of the Speaker n. to the peti'ion pur.
porting 70 BE- from slaves, and wing avo4ed
hi' intention not To offer 60 present the petition
The House was q opinion that IL ought not
To be presented, therefore. all further pro-
ceeling' IA regard To his conduct do pow
cease
Add passed IN the AsSarrs.
Yeas-2l Nays -I37.
So the House refused to censure NIr.
Adams, OF to express an opinion upon
the subject.
~ artsu aU.s.r.