Mr.Henry A.Wise, who was, at the time, engaged on the Reuben Whitney affair, was sent for: with an accompanying message that the stability of the Union was in danger! Breathless, and impatient, Mr.Wise made his appearance, and inquired what was the matter.

He was informed.
"And is that all ?" ejaculated Mr.Wise.

"The gentleman from Massachusetts has presented a petition signed by slaves! Well, sir, and what of that?
Is anybody harmed by it?
Sir, in my opinion, slaves are the very persons who should petition.

Mine, sir, pray to me, and I listen to them; and shall not the feeble supplicate?
Sir, I see no danger,--the country, I believe, is safe." At length the exciting subject was brought to a termination, by the passage of the following preamble and resolutions; much softened, it will be seen, in comparison with the measures first proposed:-- "An inquiry having been made by an honorable gentleman from Massachusetts, whether a paper which he held in his hand, purporting to be a petition from certain slaves, and declaring themselves to be slaves, came within the order of the House of the 18th of January,[Footnote: This order was the same as that adopted by the House on the 18th of May, 1836.

See p.
281.] and the said paper not having been received by the Speaker, he stated that in a case so extraordinary and novel, he would take the advice and counsel of the House.
"Resolved, That this House cannot receive said petition without disregarding its own dignity, the rights of a large class of citizens of the South and West, and the Constitution of the United States.
"Resolved, That slaves do not possess the right of petition secured to the citizens of the United States by the constitution." The slave petition is believed to have been a counterfeit, manufactured by certain members from slaveholding States, and was sent to Mr.Adams by the way of experiment--with the double design of ascertaining if he could be imposed upon; and, if the deception succeeded, those who got it up were curious to know if the venerable statesman would redeem his pledge, and present a petition, no matter who it came from.