Whether it could be considered "insurrectionary" depended altogether on the pro-slavery or anti-slavery bias of the critic.

Besides, the author had agreed that the obnoxious passages should not be printed in the compendium which the Republicans recommended in their circular.

When interrogated, Mr.
Sherman replied that he had never seen the book, and that "I am opposed to any interference whatever by the people of the free-States with, the relations of master and slave in the slave-States." But the disavowal did not relieve him from Southern enmity.

The fire-eaters seized the pretext to charge him with all manner of "abolition" intentions, and by violent debate and the utterance of threats of disunion made the House a parliamentary and almost a revolutionary babel for nearly two months.

Certain appropriations were exhausted, and the treasury was in great need of funds.