The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-02-09
MIR. ADAMS, SPEECH,

Explanatory Of his position aciM respect TO Mt
Abolition Of Slavery IN the District Of Colum
bia. Delivered IN the House Of Representative!
of the United States, JAM 81, 1889.
From the National Inteigencer.
IN THE HOUSE, JAN. 81.
The Speaker proceeded to call for the presen.
tation of petitions, when the following were pre-
scented, viz.
From Maine, by Messrs. Evans, Robinson, Da-
wee, Anderson and Moves.
From New Hampshire, by Mr.. Cushman.
From Massachusetts, by Messrs. Fletcher
Grennel, Reed, and Gushing.
Mr.. Adams said he had many petitions to pre-
sent; but, before offering them, he had to request
of the House permission to make statement in
relation to their presentation by him. lie wished
to present the true position in which he stood
because he had reason to believe it was not cor
recty understood by either of the great parties in
to which the nation was divided on those great
questions which We're now so deeply agitating the
country.
The Chair here interposed, and said that Mr..
Adams could not proceed without leave of the
House.
TCres of Leave leave No no Order I
Mr. Adams said his position was not under
stood, and hence it happened that scarcely day
passed but he received from the southern portion
of the United States letters similar to one which
he had read to the House some days ago.
The Speaker interposed. Mr.. A. must con-
fine himself to the presentation of petitions and
briefly state their contents, unless the House give
permission to do otherwise.
Mr. Adams. have received number of let
tiers threatening assassination if continue to pre-
sent abolition petitions. Whether they are quiz
yes, (as they have been called by gentemen,) or
whether they are designed mere to inhmidate,
or whether they do, indeed, indicate serious in
tenton to carry out the threats they contain, |
express no opinion; but ask of the House per-
mission to make statement.
Cries of hear him hear him no order
Mr. Grennell inquired whether his colleague
had not right to make the statement referred to :
1t was matter which involved question of priv
ege.
The Chair quoted the 18th rule, which says:
petitions, memorials and other papers, address
sed to the House, shall be presented by the Speak
en- or by member in his place, a brief statement
of the contents thereof shall be made verbally by
the introducer they shall not be debated on the
day of their being presented nor on any day as
signed by the House for the receipt of petitions at
ter the first thirty days Of the session, unless
where the House shall direct otherwise, but shall
lie on the table, to be taken up in the order in
which they were presented.
Mr. Adams commenced presenting petitions
when
Mr. Grennell moved that the rules Of the House
be suspended, to give an opportunity to his VEN
cradle colleague to make the statement he desired
The Speaker said that the Chair wished, for its
own government to know the character of the
statement the gentleman desired to make
Mr. Griffin, of South Carolina, desired the |
yeas and nays on suspending the rules.
Mr.. Grennell referred to what Mr.. Adams bad
stated as to his position not being known in the
country, and the threats Of assassination which