Now, if the legislature could be brought to deliver itself in tones not less certain, the third cooerdinate branch of the State government might catch its cue and act with energy in suppressing the disturbers of the peace of the commonwealth and of the dear Union as well.

This was the scheme, the conspiracy which was in a state of incubation in Massachusetts in the year 1836.

The pro-slavery portion of Governor Everett's message, together with the Southern demands for repressive legislation against the Abolitionists were referred to a joint legislative committee for consideration and report.

The chairman of the committee was George Lunt, of Newburyport, a bitter pro-slavery politician, who saw no sign, received no light which did not come out of the South.
The Abolitionists perceived the gravity of the new danger which threatened them, and rallied promptly to avert it.

They shrewdly guessed that the object of the committee would not be the enactment of any new law against themselves but the adoption of condemnatory resolutions instead.