Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-02-14

tween Virginia and New York, in relation 10 fu-
eiiive slaves, and inumated desire for an i'd
lournment
This was accordingly moved, and tho yens and
nays were called for by Southern member, but
a sufficient number could not be found TO sustain
the ca-so the House adjourned.
In the Senate, Mr.. Benton made long speech
against the Government complaining bitterly that
a draft given him by the Secretary of the Senate
upon the Bank of Washington, Tor Sl42, duo 10
him for his pay or miieoge had been protested
that is to say that the Bank refused to give him
anything but 500 in Treasury Notes, and the
rest in specie
SATURDAY, February, 9Th.
The Senate did not sit to-day.
Mr.. Adams still goes on to de fend himself after
the fashion Of Scipio, by carrying deadly war in
to the enemys country. He commenced his re-
marks to-day by reading from the lntelligencor of
this morning, an article in which tho Editor com
planned of the unjust imputations cast upon the
able reporters for that Journal aud stated his ncn-
ton to give further occasion for such attacks,
but to refrain from publishing the remarks of Mr..
Adams, unless handed in 10y himself and Mr.. A.
proceeded to reproach the Editors for the sup.
preston of his defence, aud to specify what he
considered the inexcusable errors and omissions
of the reporters-who, ne contended, were want
ing not in the ability, but in the disposition to do
him justice. He then produced several letters aud
pamphlets having relation to the proceedings OF
inhammable citizens of Charleston, upon the me-
nIorable occasion of their attack upon the Post
Ofice-and charged the South with combina
ton. not TO defend their own institutions merely,
but TO fierce lhe law OF slavery upon the free
States.
After several documents tend ng TO suprortlbs
accusation had been rend by The Clerk, and the
sarcastic orator had commented upon them with
indignant severity, lie said, that as his remarks
were not to be allowed to appenr in the newspa-
t,nry anil and IN lao, Ia,
prived oftheir rights in that particular, aud lie
wished TO obtain for his defence he information
required by the resolutions lie had submitted, he
would move to postpone the subject tu next Thurs
day week.
Mr. Marshal opposed this motion. iIo said that
any one who examined the reports OF The gentle
mans remarks in the Globe aud the lnteIligencer,
would see such discrepancies between the style
and language of the two though they were in sub
stance the same as TO satisfy him that there had
been no collision between them, and no intention
TO msrepresent the gcntleman's defence. The
gentleman wished for documentary evidence 10
prove The existence Of the conspiracy he had al
lodged. He was willing, us far MS he was con-
cerned, to admit, for the purposes OF the argu-
nent, though certainly no further, all that the gen.
tleman had avefted. These facts, if granted to
the full extent, would not tend in any degree TO
excuse the gentleman for having encouraged treu-
sonable and wicked designs against the Union
The gentleman wanted the evidence for the fonn-
dation of his bitter appeals 10 the PASSIONS and
prejudices of the Northern States. He had be-
gun his defence by showing that he was devoted
TO the Union and intended 10 conclude II by at
tempting to prove 10 the petitioners, that they had
good and sufficient TO persevere in their dis
organizing course--and he now came forward to
ask the House to assist him to produce the alarm
mud evaporation desired. He appealed TO the
North not 10 lend their aid TO such purpose. He
had offered his resolutions mainly 10 enabe gen
iemen of the North TO show by their votes that
they were firmly attached TO the Union, aud deter
mined to protect the South in their rights
Mr. Arnold also opposed the motion 10 post
pone, and expressed himself decidedly in favor OF
the resolution offered by Mr.. Summers, providing
for the appointment of Committee to take the
subject into consideration. lie concluded by
moving the previous question.
The Chair decided that the previous question
would apply first to the resolution offered by Mr..
Giltner, and afterwards to those of Mr. Marshal
and Mr.. Summers in turn.
A call of the House then moved but mega
lived, by Ayes 80, Noes 80.
Mr.. Adams then withdrew his motion, and pro-
ceeded with his defence. He asked the gentle
man from Kentucky by what law he proposed 10
censure him. There was no law, even upon the
geutleman's own showing except necessity, the ty-
rants plea in all time, rs now. They were not
sworn to support the Union, but TO supper, the
Corstituton-and the Constitution contemplated
in certain cases, such as those specified in the
Declaration of Independence, the dissolution of
the Union. The gentleman admitted for the pnr-
pose of the argument, that there was n league a
ganst the rights of the North that the South
was endeavouring to deprive her citizens of the
sacred right OF petition, to stlhe the voice OF her
people md her Representatives in regardto the.F
rights on many most important snblects-to inter-
fere with the light of her citizens 10 travel freely
in all the States, and 10 transmit letters TO their
friends and to trampe upon any provision OF the
Constitution that might appear too strongly favour
able to Freedom. Were not these such grievan-
would warrant discomfort and dlsatfectiOn
through the Union? Were they not similar to
those which justified our fathers in their rebellion?
And might not the citizens otthe free States prop
erly say that the advantages OF the Union are not
reciprocal, and that they would no longer submit
to their wrongs? Certainly these things gave snl-
ficient ground for discomfort, and they did
not, the House had no Jurisdiction over the petit
TONERS, in regard to the free expression of their
opinions. The proceedings in this matter were
direct attempt TO reverse the law OF the land, aud
violate the rights secured TO the people by the
Constitution. That instrument intended to make
the Representatives responsible to their cnnsliiu
ents. But it was now sought to make the cons,t-
uents responsible to the House for the manner in
which they exercised their constitutional rights,
and to make the Representative also responsible,
penalty, for the manner in which he construed
the Constitution. lfa member could be censured
for presenting this petition, lie could he also for
presenting one for the abolition of slaveiy, or amy
other which might offend majority ofthe House,
The right of petition would be wholly osI--it
would degenerate into n privilege to petition
Congress upon Indifferent matters.
He the proceeded 10 read several extracts from
published speech made by Mr.. Marshall, in the
Legislature OF Kentucky, and which contained
some most eloquent and powerful denuncatons
of slavery.
Mr.. Saunders, of N. c. asked if it was in order
to read the pamphlet
The Speaker SAID it was for tho gentleman from
Massachusetts to judge what was necessary to his
defence.
Mr.. Marshall asked, the gentleman was rea-
ding the pamphlet which he had given him the
other day.
Mr.. Adams replied affirmatively,& hoped ii was
not given him in confidence.
Mr.. Marshall said he knew his man to well for
that The gentleman resDectel no confidence.