John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

366

16. V. Wednesday

The winter has set in with great severity— A Heavy Gale of wind from the North all last Night ushered in a day bitterly cold; and the Potowmac river froze over— At the House the day was absorbed in receiving Petitions and Memorials from all the States and Territories— John Fairfield a new member from Maine, presented two Petitions for the abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia— He moved that the first should be referred to the Committee on the District— John Cramer of New-York moved that it should be laid on the table—upon which Mason of Virginia called for the yeas and nays— Everett of Vermont asked if the motion to lay on the table was made by the member who presented the petition and Faifield answered yes— The yeas and nays were taken twice—first on laying on the table carried 181 to 36. and, to lay on the table the motion to print also carried 168 to 50. I voted on both questions in the negative— I presented a Petition from Tillson Burrows, a Soldier in the last War, disabled; praying for a pension, referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions—a Petition from Joseph Ewell and others, children of Thomas Church, a pensioner under the act of 1818. struck off the list under the Act of 1820. for the pension which ought to have been paid to him; and with this Petition I offered with the consent of the house a Resolution for a Call on the Secretary of War for a return of Pensioners under the act of 1818. struck off under the act of 1820. and not since restored—the Petition was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions—the Resolution lays over, one day. The Memorial from Mrs Margaret Freeman, for Canadian Refugee lands—referred to the Committee on Private Land-claims. The old Petitions from Plymouth and Gloucester, for Custom-house and Post Office, with the Documents and Bill of the last Session were referred to the Committee on Commerce— Revd. Dr Proudfit called me out, to enquire, if Congress would grant money to the colonization Society— I referred him to those members who favour the views of this Society which I do not— Crary sent his credentials as a member elect from the State of Michigan— S. Beardsley moved that a Seat should be assigned to him on the floor, which was opposed by C. F. Mercer— Adjourned without decision— W. Sprague jr. had a Letter from H. D. Ward Harrisburg. Anti-masonic Convention sitting.