The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-07
CON G. X E S S
House OF Representative

WAsHNoroN, SATURDAY, Feb D.
Ex PREsIpEHr ADAMS CONTEMPT AND DEFENCE
The CONTEMPT And D1rEHcE OF THE PREss
-RErRAcroRY REPORTERS AND CoHrUMAcIoUs
EDIroRs. Hlz
The Hon. John Quincy Adams says the reporters
tor tns Natiouu Inriigenoer publirh reports of his
speeches which friendly editor in Boston cannot
Observation-Disclosures the inability TO comprehend
arises from the crude conception and consequent de-
fcient performance of his work by the reporter, the
obscuriy and confusion of the st yle and matter of
the speaker, natural stupidity the part Of the
editorial friend, the world was left to conjecture, if
the world takes sufficient interest 10 the subject
But positively the report was not understood, and
the reporter was twitted for the obscurity where.
upon the reporter feels his dignity sssaed and says
take what chose to give you or nothing, and the
publishers, aler recovering from the broad stare Of
as;onishment which their reporters ''pluck" had
produced, positively refuse to enlghten the world
with the honorable genteman's Grafton, unless he
thinks proper to become his own reporter. Ard this
was made the ground, on Saturday, on which Mr.
Adams appealed to the House 10 postpone the
continuance Of his defence until next Thursday,
week. He wanted Reporter, and he wanted time
for preparation The former want" which we
believe is not found in any OF the distng u'shed Nj
ca stanzas the wants Of man." and, therefore,
we may presume it to be temporary and unexpected.
was voluntarily supplied by the Rev. Joshua Leavi,t,
editsr of the New York Emmeipator. who took pos
session of Mr.. Chiitendens seat on the floor, al
though he had seat elsewhere assigned TO him by
the Speaker. But Mr.. Andrews Of Kentucky dis
liked the proximity Of the abolitionist, and he
was compelled to retreat to his seat without the
bar. Mr. Adams then proceeded 10 show the
injustice done him by the papers. The Intelli-
gencer had not only "utterly msrepresented" his
argument, but had omitted the foundation Of all his
defence, while the attacks and vituperaton Of the
opposing triumvirate" were given-probaby BY
themselves, they were able to relieve each other.
This afforded strong reason why Congress ouehl
to sst in a city where slavery existed. The press
in Washington, he said, was under an influence
which ought mot to exis, where criminal prosecu
tons we're instituted against tine members of the
House. In the first place there was slavery pres-
dice against him which had existed for years, and
death had been threatened as punishment for his
{" villainous course" The press was under an ia,
fuence both positive and negative, and the National
lntellieencer he charged with being under that in
fuence. He caused to be read the proceedings of
public meeting, correspondence with numerous post
masters, and the records Of history, 10 prove that
was appointed at Charleston, South Caro-
lima, for the examination of papers and PAM
phlets transmitted by mail, that abolition pub
locations might be intercepted and destroyed
contrary to the Constitution and the law of the
and. This illegal assumption Influenced editors Of
he north, but it rested not there love episiles had
been opened and exposed by that self constituted
committee Of safety At the southland at the north
he lives Of the most iIlustrious patriots Of The
evolution were falsifed and expsrga,ed
What was called "Offeasivs NATTER" to sccomme r
late them to that prejudice. He particularly no.
iced Jay's life, which published ia the edition
+ q work intended for District School Libraries
Here iheu this influence was shown to control |
'osh the psess and the post office; his speeches |
sere "expursaied" ia the Intellgencer, and this
vas part Of the great conspiracy Of the south
gainst the north. For these and other reasons he
Wished possposement; he wished the Executive
epaumeass to afford him the aid Of the Information
pr which the House had agreed to CALL and he wish
d to be prepared to give authentic accounts to the
World Of what he said To the postponement Mr.
d..asALL objected; he said the gentleman from
sssachushs had already occupied almost ~
much time as suficcd for the creation of the VIC j.
fe objected 10 wait for the information for which
!. gentleman from Massachusetts, had called, for