Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-02-21

blest SON lie set forth boldly and eoquenily those
sterling doctrines Of freedom Of opinion and Of con-
SCIENCE the liberty Of the press, and the right Of Pc
Htion, which New-Engand holds most dear, and
which she will not yield till she has poured out the
last drop Of her noble blood!
On Thursday, at about o'clock tho House came
TO decision on the resolution.
After the discussion had ended, Mr.. Adams adj
dressed the House at great length in his own de-
fence, in an able aud eloquent speech--a speech,
which, it sufficient eulogy upon it to say, no man
but Mr.. Adams could have pronounced. After Mr.
Adams had concluded, the question was taken upon
the first resolution, which, as amended, reads as fol-
lows; "ResoIucd, That any member who shall
hereafter present any petition from the slaves OF this
Union, ought te be considered as regardless OF the
feelings Of this House. the rights Of the Southern
States, and unfrcndly TO the Union" The resou
ton was rcjecied-Yeas ninety-t,oo-Nays one hun
dred and fine.
The question was then put on the second resolu-
ton which, as amended, reads as follows "RcsoiUsd
That the Hon. John q. Adams, having solemny
dsceimed all design Of doing any thing dsrespect-
full to the House in the inquiry he made of the spea-
ker TO the petition purporting TO be from slaves
and having avowed his intention not to offer TO pre-
sent the petition If the House Of opinion that it
ought not TO be presented therefore, all further pro-
ceedings in regard to his conduct do now cease."-
This resolution was also rejeced-Yea cas- tUenty .one
Mays ono hundred and hirty-SoUen; most Of the
Southern members refusing TO vote Thus ended
those proceedings, Of which have given you very
brief and imperfect sketch. l should not say snded,
because the House is now engaged in discussion
on a motion mado by Mr. Lane, to reconsider the
vote by which the first resolution was rejected.
From these proceedings we have much TO hopo
and much 10 fear. We have to hope that the llber-
ty oGspeech and Of the press, and the right Of pet
tion-a right which we do not derive from the Com
sitution, or the laws Of our country, but from the
God who made us-will yet be preserved. We
have to fear that the Passio, and madness Uf tho
South will drive her citizens to rash and foolish
sures. The members of Congress from the slave
States have already had number of caucuses, in
consequence Of those proceedings but have not de-
cided upon any particular measures to be taken.--
a proposition was made IN Of their caucuses to
secede from the House, but they were divided upon
it, and adjourned without taking any vote, What
will be done by them it is impossible to predict.
The Land bill and the bill TO repeal the Treasury
Greer have passed the Senate.
Reuben M. Whitney has refused to attend before
the investigating committee, of which Mr.. Wise is
chairman, and is to be brought TO tho bar Of the
House 10 answer for a contempt Of its authority
MIR Webster has signifed his intention 10 resign
his seat in the Senate at the close Of this session Of
Congress
Mr. Calhoun has received letter from the Presl-
dent, IN which the President calls him to an account
for words spoken in debate" and demands from him
dn apology, or retraction, before the Senate If he
does not apologize or reract, the President ayows
the intention to publish the letter, of which he has
retained copy before he leaves Washington and
also to expose Mr. c, as vile caumniator !!
War with Mexlco-perhaps Y.