th. of January last, that no
petitions relating to Slavery or the trade in Slaves in any State,
District or Territory of the United States shall be read, printed,
committed or in any manner acted upon by the House— I objected to the
reception of the Resolution, and Patton moved to suspend the rules,
which was carried 136 to 65. and after a Speech, he moved the previous
question which was carried as was the Resolution
When my name was called I answered I hold the Resolution to be a
Violation of the Constitution of the right of petition of my
constituents and of the people of the United States, and of my right to
freedom of Speech as a member of this House— I said this amidst a
perfect war whoop of order— In reading over the names of the members the
Clerk omitted mine: I then
mentioned it and the Speaker ordered
that the Clerk to call my name again— I did not answer but moved that my
answer when first called should be entered on the Journal— The Speaker
said the motion was not in order—that the only answer could be given was
aye or no. I moved that my motion might be entered on the Journal with
the decision of the Speaker that it was not in order—to which he made no
answer— A motion then was made to go into Committee of the whole on the
Union upon the Message.— Ewing and
Duncan had some sparring—
Underwood of Kentucky
and