The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-26
CONGRESS,

by MI. ADAMS, MI rlliIlore requested PeImis-
sion. by general consent, 10 report certain bills
from the Committee Of Ways and Means
Objection was made; and he moved the regu-
lar business be suspended until one O'Clock for
the reception OF his reports. The motion pre-
vailed. He then reported bills for deirayng the
civil and diplomatic expenses; for the support of
the Army and Military Academy; of the naval
service, for defraying the current and contn-
gent expenses of the Indian Department, and
for fulfilling treaty stipulations with the Indian
tribes, and for the payment of pensions. These
bills were read twice, by title, and referred TO
the Committee of the Whole on the state OF the
Union Resolutions also were offered dis
charging the Committee of Ways and Means
from the consideration of various questions, and
referring them 10 the appropriate committees
The recommendation to purchase sites for the
erection Of barracks at the principal naval sta
tons was referred to the Committee on Naval
Affairs, and that for the erection Of the barracks
at West Point was referred to the Military
Committee.
This business having been completed at half
past twelve O'Clock, Mr.. Fillmore asked leave
10 take up the Treasury Note bill, which had
been returned from the Senate. Mr.. Cooper, of
Pennsylvania, moved to lay the bill on the ia
bic. The question was taken by the ayes and
noes, and resulted as follows-Ayes 90, noes
Ill. Mr.. Sprigg then commenced speech on
the bill, and continued speaking till one o'clock,
when Mr. Glmer called up the consideration
of his resolution offered on Monday. motion
was made to lay it on the table, but was mega
tlved by vote of "a TO liz.
MIR. Marshall then stated that he had subst-
tute to offer for Mr. Gilmer's resolution, and he
hoped it would be accepted as such by that gen
tleman. He read his substitute, and asked per-
mission to accompany it with some remarks
He had prepared the resolutions which he had
read neither under the influence of personal dis
respect TO the gentleman from Massachusetts,
nor Of sectional antipathy. He had in his youth
supported that gentleman for the Presidency,
and advocated his measures while President
He felt no hostility to the interests or people Of
the North. However he might disregard any
language uttered in the streets about the dissou-
ton, he was struck with horror at any PROPOSE
ton made to that end in this House. 1t might be
without notice. Blu, regarding the person who
had presented the petition, he could not think
such course prudent. 1t was said, in the jus
ti6cation Of Mr.. Adams, that he had moved the
reference of the petition to select committee,
with instructions to report against the prayer Of
the petitioners with the reasons why it should
not be granted. But this course made the mat
ter worse, by roposing to make the petition
subject of serious legislation.
Mr.. Adams replied that what he had done
had been done under the protection Of the Con
stitutIon and the authority Of the Declarat ion of
independence. In that instrument it was de-
clared to be the right of the people TO alter and
abolish government whenever it became OPP
pressive. The signers Of The petition are not
alone the opinions they have presented find
many abettors in the North But he believed it
not TO be yet time to push the matter to an ex-
remity, and this he wished to tell the petition
ers. However the responsibility Of the doc
rines Of the petition rested not with him, but
with those who had signed it, and intrusted it
to him for presentation. For the latter act only
was he answerable
He then descanted somewhat on the question
Of the right of petition and of the slave trade,
and mentioned the points which he intended to
discuss if the question were regularly introduce
ed, The country, he said, were to be struggled
into war in defence of the slave trade-and
the home squadron, for which IN the simplicity
Of his heart he had voted he had discovered from
the report of the Secretary of the Navy, to be
intended as a convoy for the protection of the
slave trade. He concluded by expressing wish
that the resolution of Mr.. Marshall be printed,
and, at the proper time, if the reporter under
stood him rightly, he would continue his vindi-
cation, and discuss the various questions which
he had propounded.
Mr. Cooper, of Pennsylvania, suggested that
the passage of the resolutions offered by Mr..
Marshall would close the whole business-ther
passage including all the censure that was in
tended
Mr. Everett made short and animated
speech, in opposition, it was understood, to the
spirit of Mr.. Marshall's resolutions, and concud-
ed by moving that they be printed and the con-
sideraion of the business be deferred till next
Tuesday.
On the motion TO print, Mr.. Wise sent to the
clerks desk the farewell address Of Washington
and desired that part indicated might be read.
When this was done he proceeded with an ami
mated speech, tracing the history Of parties in
this country-and endeavoring to show the iden-
tlty OF the present agitators of the Abolition
question and kindred doctrines with the faction
formerly in favor of Britain, and .denouncing
their opponents as connected with French Jaco-
binism He showed the danger arising from the
encouragement of Abolitionism in the event of