The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-17
CONGRESS-.
The SENATE did not sit on Saturday.

The SENATE did not sit on Saturday.
In the HousE OF REPRESENTATIVES, the first business
in order being the resolution reported from the Com
miltee of Elections by Mr. Campbell, TO print Ger
tain parts of the testimony in relation to the New
Jersey contest and The amendment thereto offered
BY Mr.. Rice G,Iland.
Mr. JENIFER, being entitled to the floor, con,inu-
ed his remarks in defence of The minority OF the
Committee of Elections. and against the course of
the majority OF that committee, until the expiration
of the morning hour.
The SPEAKER having announced that the
morning hour had expired,
Mr. RUSSELL called for the orders OF the day.
Mr. RIVES hoped the House would b. univer-
sal consent, permit the gentleman from Maryland
(Mr Jeniter) 10 finish his remarks.
Mr. RUSSELL objected and called for the orders
Of the day.
Mr., RlVES moved to suspend the rules for the
purpose, and on that motion demanded the yeas and
nays, which we're ordered, and were; Yeas 80, nays
IS. Not two-thirds
50 the rules were not suspended
Mr.. RlVES said he rose for The purpose OF asking
the favor OF the House that he might make a state
ment IN relation 10 what had occurred this morning
in particular. He believed the gentleman from
Maryland, Mr.. JeniferO in the course OF his re-
marks did him injustice; and he had not been az
forded an opportunity TO ascertain whether it was
intention lily done or not. 1t was with that view
that he had moved suspension of the rules in or
der that he might at the earliest opportunity that he
could, call on that gentleman for an explanation.
Mr. AFFORD said as the House has refused to
suspend the rules, object. object to all personal
matters which may be attempted to be introduced
into this House.
Mr.. RlVES replied Let me tell the gentleman
from Georgia, (Mr. Aford) that his refusing to sui
fer me TO proceed this time may produce the very
state OF things that he | am inclined TO believe,
wished 10 avoid.
Mr.. Afford persisted in his objection
Mr r. said, then appeal TO my political friends
OF ms House never TO proceed to other business
I'll have time 10 do myself Justice.
Much confusion here prevailed in the hall1
Mr. JENIFER APP ealed to his political friends to
permit The gentleman from Virginia to make his
statement.
Mr. STANLY called on the Speaker to enforce the
rules and bring the House the orders of the day.
Mr.. RIVES said Mr.. Speaker, have no friend in
this House that will move suspension Of the rules 10
order that may be heard!
Mr. BOLTS, of Va, replied" Yes: I will move
suspension of the rules y"
draw his objection.
Mr.. WISE said If the gentleman from Georgia
withdaws his objection, / shall renew it.
Mr. Afford raised question of order whether it
was competent to move suspension OF the rules twice
for the same purpose no action having taken place by
the House. intervening the motions.
The SPEAKER said the other motion was to sus-
pend the rules for the purpose Of considering the subject
of the New Jersey question generally, and the motion
now was TO permit the gentleman from Virginia Mr.
70 make IN TetdftOH 20 HiWSCU per-
sondHY, and therefore it was in order
The question then taken by ayes and nays. The
of JOHN Quincy ADAMS being called, that gentle
and asked permission to state his Tor
voting against the suspension OF the rules. But owing
10 the and confusion in the Hall he could not be
heard. He wished to say that if Mr.. RIvEs had APP
peaed to the House to allow him TO make an expana-
on he would have voted for the suspension Of the rules
But as the member had thought fit TO appeal to his po-
lcsl friends, he might get permission as he could
The House, with a courtesy which is seldom extend
ed to an opposition member suspended the rules; and
Mr. l3lvEs began his speech
After thanking the House, and appealing very earn
esy to the reporters and correspondents for the public
press to do him Justice Mr. RlvEs proceeded with his
exord!um in the following terms
Mr. Speaker: through life it has ever been my
disposition to produce harmony among those with
whom may have occasion to act, either in private
or in public life. II has been my disposition TO
throw, whenever could, oil on the tempestuous
waves. 1t has always been my WISH instead Of pro-
ducing discussions, to heal them Instead OF en-
deavoring TO produce angry collissions-instead OF
trying 10 get one man arrayed against anoher-lt
has always been my disposition TO interpose and ef-
tect reconciliation. But sir whilst | have done
ths--Whilst | have on all occasions tried to avoid
personal dficulties-and whilst | have never set
myself up possessing any extraordinary degree OF
6ravery-whiisi ihave always been disposed to have
things done quietly and peaceaby-whilst | may
nave shuddered at times at the peril to which
might be exposed, and felt probably that did not
possess personal courage yet have something else
far more valuable. have pride, sir, and that alone
might cause me to do what my reason might disap-
prove Sir, much as love this world; much as |
am attached to friends and family; yes, Mr.. Speak
er, however strong may be the ties that bind the 10
those love, prize honor infinitely above life Sir
this thing, il suffered TO go on in the wayit has been
going on this morning, might produce the very stale
OF ,hinss | might be inclined TO deprecste. Hence
II was that was anxious to take The floor, with a
Ai III 10
land whether ii was really his intention 10 infici on
me personal injury. Ii has ever been my custom
y think an injury was intended me, TO take Il al
The first hop Things can be better settled that way
than ii left to the interposition Of friends. shall
proceed on the belief thatihe gentleman from Mary
land, ii convinced that he has done me injury, will
as an honorable man, repair that injury. Hence,
am disposed TO be prudent; and whilst addressing
the gentleman, request him 10 believe that | NEAR
nothing ia intimidation in what saying. Ny
purpose is TO have myself righted-not to niimidat,
another. know The gentleman too well TO believe