y
1835
- Newell— Rev
d
The Revd. Mr Newell, brought me a Letter
of recommendation from Mr Southard. He is a Mendicant
Agent for Princeton College, the Alumni of which have resolved to raise
one hundred thousand dollars, to endow the College, and for which they
solicit the contributions of their friends. I declined subscribing for
the present, having a similar demand pending, from the Alumni of Harvard
University, and until that shall be determined, I did not incline to
contribute for the benefit of other Colleges— I told Mr Newell that I had only two years since
contributed to the establishment of a professorship at Princeton
College—at the solicitation of Dr M’Dowell— At the House immediately after the
reading of the Journal I obtained leave to present two Petitions from
Citizens of the County of Oneida, in the State of New-York, for the
abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia— I referred to remarks
I had made on presenting similar Petitions in December 1831—said I had
not changed my opinions then expressed, and moved the reference of these
Petitions without reading to the Committee on the District of Columbia,
which was done. I then asked leave of the House to say a few words by
way of explanation—which was granted— It was upon my having said last
Saturday that the Senate had dodged the question of the dispute with
France—and upon the commercial excitement produced by the stand taken by
me on the same occasion— My explanation amused the House— The rest of
the day was consumed in debating upon trifles— Whether next Tuesday or
Friday should be assigned for Bills on the Territories, and the boundary
of Ohio—whether Letcher and
Moore should be paid for
their travel and attendance here last Winter and finally what number of
copies should be printed of the two Reports of the Post-Office Committee
Majority and Minority which were made this morning— Yeas and Nays twice
taken—3000 copies of the documents and 20000 copies of the two reports
to be printed—