The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-01-30
NEWPORT.
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 80, 1888.
DoINGs IN CONGRESS.

: were presented. The bill for The coninua.
: lion of the Cumberland road, appropriating
sIOO, 900 to the road in the States of Ohio,
Indiana aud Illinois, was taken up on its
1 third reading, and passed. After an Exec
utive session, the Senate adjourned.
: In the House., petitions and memorials
, were called for in The order Of States, be-
ginning with Maine.
When Mr. Adams rose, he said had upon
the floor large number Of petitions, rels-
ling to the abolition Of slavery. Some Of
them would be laid upon the table, under
the rules of the House, and others might be
referred. Before presenting these petitions,
Mr.. Adams said it would be gratifying 10
him, if the House would allow him TO state
his position. lie wished to be understood
by tie House and the Country, for he was
MT now understood. He had before him,
he said multitude of letters, all of them
threatening hIW with assassination. Wbcth-
er these letters were intended to threaten or
intimidate hun, or TO put the threats into |
execution, or were intended to quiz him,
was matter of no importance. But it wa.
right that he should be understood, and he |
therefore asked leave 10 make a statement. |
Objections being made, Mr.. Grennell
moved to suspend The rules. The nyes and
noes were ordered, and the motion 20 sus-
pend WAS sustained. Ayes III NOES 50. |
Leave being granted. Mr.. Adams express
ed himself grateful to the House for The in
diligence. In referring To the letters receiv-
ed by him, he said that they bore different
post marks, and came from different Sec
tons of the country. Some of them came
} Jprofessedly from friends and some Of them
threatened him with direct assassination,
and one of them challenging him TO fight a
duel, naming time, place, weapons, &c
Mr.. Adams said he lad no doubt the chal-
lenge was forgery, although it bore the
name of one known to him. Mr.. Adams
further SAID, that, as a question of privilege,
he had right To call the attention of the
House to this subject. Bot he choose not
to do so. because such course would have
consumed II great deal Of the time of the
House MIR. Adams then said it was well
known, or should be well known that he
was not for granting the prayer of the petit
ions. l am, said he, against the prayer.
and If the question should come before the
House at this day, should vote ngans, the
Abolition of Slavery in the Dis,ric, of Co.
lumba. have made this declaration re-
peatedly. |,
IL It could be done, continued Mr.. Adams,
! would to-m"rrow vote TO rccede the Dis
trlct of Columbia to the States of Maryland
and Virginia. would have the Capitol uf
the Country in some section where Slavery
does not exist. do not think the Con.ti-
tulion of the United States would allow this,
aud therefore | shall not propose it, or vote
tor It when proposed by others.
wish, said Mr.. Adams, that my views
should be understood upon this point. !
wish the Abolitionists TO understand that af- I
ter reading their papers aud documents, and {
all that has been publicly said in favor of
the Abolition of Slavery here, am not pre-
pared to vote for it. However, | am open
to conviction on all subjects, and not so fixed /,
Ia any opinion as not to he willing 10 alter I
that opinion.
Speaking of another subject, Mr.. Adam.
said, ! think it much easier to threaten TO
murder man than to murder him. But {
history IS full Of examples where such threats
have been put into execution. Men excited ,
often do such things. and no subject is more
likely to cause excitement, than the one to
winch the subject of Abolition refers.
Speaking Of the authors Of the letters sen,
HIM, Mr.. Adams remarked that, to say that
can face bully, is saying no more than ,
to place me on level with all the members f.,
OF this House. But To say am tn he in =
Inundated for lSe course I have pursued
here, is saying great deal more than is
true.
In excuse tor presenting Abolition petit I
,nns' Mr.. Adams said, have on my table
no petitions, all of which have received
since last petition day. They are all sent
and entrusted to my especial care. They ,
are most OF them accompanied with letters ,
earnestly soliciting me TO present them and :
to take charge of them. Mos, Of these
petitions, said Mr.. A. are from persons who
can never do me favor, who have not a
vote TO give me if should ever again be
candidate. What can ! do in answer TO
that trust ! have felt it duty, and n sa. /,
cred duty, To meet this trust by pre,entips 4,
the peutions, and leaving them 10 the nc
tion ct this House. This is all have dune.
J say this IN justice to myself and in Justice $
TO thus house. do not wish TO incur the adj 8
um of unnecessarily consuming the time Of :,
this House. have not done so. shall no,
do so. think do but justice to those who
have thus voluntarily con6ded iu me an i'm. c
portant trust. !,
Mr.. Adams then stated what were his o
motives m presenting the resolution. con- 1,
necied with Andrew Stevenson. lie vindi-
Gated his own motives, and said that bc had
no other object in view than the homo, ,flb
the country. - o
Ai'er e"ncluding his remarks, he presen-
ted his petions. -
Mr.. Everett presented joint resolutions of n