But what a spectacle we here present! We degrade and disgrace ourselves; we degrade and disgrace our constituents and the country.

We do not, and cannot organize; and why?
Because the Clerk of this House, the mere Clerk, whom we create, whom we employ, and whose existence depends upon our will, usurps the throne, and sets us, the Representatives, the vicegerents of the whole American people, at defiance, and holds us in contempt! And what is this Clerk of yours?
Is he to control the destinies of sixteen millions of freemen?
Is he to suspend, by his mere negative, the functions of Government, and put an end to this Congress?
He refuses to call the roll! It is in your power to compel him to call it, if he will not do it voluntarily.

[Here he was interrupted by a member, who said that he was authorized to say that compulsion could not reach the Clerk, who had avowed that he would resign, rather than call the State of New Jersey.] Well, sir, then let him resign," continued Mr.Adams, "and we may possibly discover some way by which we can get along, without the aid of his all-powerful talent, learning and genius.

If we cannot organize in any other way--if this Clerk of yours will not consent to our discharging the trusts confided to us by our constituents, then let us imitate the example of the Virginia House of Burgesses, which, when the colonial Governor Dinwiddie ordered it to disperse, refused to obey the imperious and insulting mandate, and, like men--" The multitude could not contain or repress their enthusiasm any longer, but saluted the eloquent and indignant speaker, and intercepted him with loud and deafening cheers, which seemed to shake the capitol to its centre.

The very Genii of applause and enthusiasm seemed to float in the atmosphere of the Hall, and every heart expanded with an indescribable feeling of pride and exultation.