South is determined to carry its point, if possible, is evident from the recent declaration of Mr. Preston, in the U. S. Senate, that early in February he shall bring in a measure for the annexation of Texas into the Union. In the report of a select committee of the Legislature of Mississippi, this annexation is spoken of as of most imperious necessity to the future safety and happiness of the southern States of this confederacy.' Alluding to slavery, the committee aver that this system is cherished by our constituents as the very palladium of their prosperity and happiness '—that 'the South does not possess within her limits A BLESSING with which the affections of her people are so closely entwined, and so completely enfibred, and whose value is more highly appreciated, than slavery '—that 'to this system, we owe more than we can well estimate of domestic comfort and social happiness'—that' to it are we chiefly indebted for the lofty spirit of liberty, which so eminently distinguishes the proud and high-minded inhabitants of this happy region'—and that we declare it to be our own inherent, CHERISHED, and VENERATED DOMESTIC SYSTEM, which every southern man, worthy the name, is resolved before high Heaven to protect and sustain, if need be, even at the hazard of his life.' Though scorning to dwell in argument,' the committee (excellent pupils of Prof. Stuart, President Fisk, and Dr. Bangs) condescend to state, for the information of the ignorant, that slavery is a system expressly recommended in the Old Testament, and not inhibited in the New, and should, therefore, set at rest the most fastidious scruples.' There is, consequently, no more to be said on the subject. These barbarous and blasphemous sentiments were unanimously responded to by the Legislature of Mississippi, and no one in all the South has ventured publicly to express his dissent from thein.

At the opening of the present session of Congress, a flood of petitions for the abolition of slavery and the slave trade in the District of Columbia, &c. &c. went pouring into both houses, in an unprecedented manner. Mr. Slade, of Vermont, in presenting a memorial from certain inhabitants of that State, moved its reference to a select committee, with instructions to report

a bill for the abolition of slavery in the District. He then proceeded, in a candid and able manner, to discuss the abstract question of slavery, and to prove that it is a violation of the laws of God, and the principles of the Constitution. The house was thrown into a tremendous excitement. Mr. Slade was vociferously called to order by various southern members-but, resolutely persisting in his noble purpose, Mr. Wise, of Virginia, rose and called upon the southern delegation to leave the hall! 'Agreed!' ' Agreed!' ' Agreed!' was responded by a dozen voices, and in company with twenty or twenty-five members from the southern states, Mr. Wise left the hall. Mr. Rhett, of S. C. gave notice, that the southern delegation would meet in the District of Columbia committee room at 7 o'clock. In the midst of the confusion, Mr. Slade calmnly begged permission to proceed! Being again called to order, the Speaker told him to take his seat; and the house, on motion, then adjourned.

The factious meeting of the southern members was held in the evening, and continued till near midnight. It is said that all the senators from the slaveholding States, except Clay and Benton, and most of the representatives, were present. Harangues were made by Messrs. Calhoun, Preston, Rives, and Crittenden, of the Senate, and Messrs. Wise, Menifee, Calhoon of Ky. and others, of the House. The mighty result of the deliberations of this band of conspirators was the appointment of Mr. Patton, of Va. to offer a resolution in the House the next morning, which he did accordingly, in the following words:

6

Resolved, That all petitions, memorials, and papers, touching the abolition of slavery, or the buying, selling, or transferring of slaves in any state, district, or territory of the United States, be laid upon the table, without being debated, printed, read, or referred, and that no further action whatever shall be had thereon.'

Mr. Patton moved the previous question, after prefacing his resolution with some remarks. In vain did Mr. Adams attempt to obtain a hearing, a Bedlam outcry being raised against him. When the main question was put, Will the House agree to the resolution, Mr. Adams rose and said, amid shouts of order!' 'order!' as he proceeded, 'I consider the resolution a violation

of the Constitution of the United States-of the rights of my constituents, and the people of the United States, to petition— and to any right of freedom of speech as a member of this House.' He therefore declined answering' Ay' or 'No.' The vote stood, yeas 122, nays 74. Thus the sacred right of petition has again been immolated upon the altar of slavery. The above resolution is not only destructive of that right, but it deprives the people of representation, inasmuch as their representatives are gagged upon the floor of Congress. Yet it was passed by northern votes! O servile degradation!

In the Senate, the petitions have received a similar treatment, all of them having been laid upon the table without reading or reference. In the vain hope of arresting anti-slavery proceedings, Mr. Calhoun has succeeded in getting the Senate to adopt (by a vote of 3 to 1) a string of resolutions, as absurd and fallacious in their reasoning, as they will assuredly prove abortive in their design. [See Appendix.] Passed, too, by northern votes !

To Messrs. ADAMS and SLADE of the House, and MORRIS of the Senate, the thanks and applause of the lovers of liberty are due, for their unfaltering course and noble defence of our cause. Their names will be cherished by posterity.

Among the most important events of the last year may be reckoned the Convention of American Women in the city of New-York, in May last, to deliberate upon measures and to establish a system of operations to hasten the downfal of slavery. The conception of such a Convention was sublime: its influence has been glorious. Its proceedings have been published to the world, and exhibit high intelligence and great moral power. power. It is not flattery, but simple truth to affirm, that the abolition cause is mainly indebted, under God, to the maids and matrons of America for its means, its vitality, and its wonderful success. Without their co-operation, it would languish and expire. No praise can exceed their fidelity, courage, activity, self-denial and devotedness. The palm and the crown are theirs.

In this State, during the past year, the cause has been greatly advanced by the labors of Messrs. Phelps, Stanton, Birney, Codding, May, Scott, St. Clair, Phillips, &c. ; but in a special manner by our gifted South Carolina sisters, S. M. & A. E. Grimke.

$6637 89

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY,

AT ITS

SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING,

HELD IN BOSTON, JANUARY 24, 1838.

WEDNESDAY MORNING, JAN. 24, 1838.

Pursuant to the call thereof, the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society held its Sixth Annual Meeting in the Chapel connected with the Marlborough Hotel, at 10 o'clock, A. M.

FRANCIS JACKSON, Esq. President of the Society, took the chair, and called the meeting to order. Prayer was offered by Rev. J. Horton, of Boston.

Wm. M. Chace, of Providence, R. I. was chosen Secretary.
On motion, a committee to bring forward business was appoint-

ed by the chair, consisting of the following gentlemen:

A. A. Phelps, O. Scott, S. J. May, W. L. Garrison, J. Horton, Dexter Fairbanks, J. T. Ward, Wm. Bassett, O. Johnson, C. P. Grosvenor, J. C. White.

On motion, it was voted to appoint a committee of one from each county, to nominate officers of the Society, for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen were appointed:

Amos A. Phelps, Suffolk; James Buffum, Essex; Geo. Russell, Plymouth; J. M. Earle, Worcester; L. Boutell, Middlesex; Charles Anthony, Bristol; Isaac Austin, Nantucket; Elias Richards, Norfolk.