In vain did they threaten assassination--expulsion from the House--indictment before the grand jury of the District of Columbia.

In vain did they declare that he should "be made amenable to another tribunal, [mob-law] and as an incendiary, be brought to condign punishment." "My life on it," said a southern member, "if he presents that petition from slaves, we shall yet see him within the walls of the penitentiary." All these attempts at brow-beating moved him not a tittle.

Firm he stood to his duty, despite the storms of angry passion which howled around him, and with withering rebukes repelled the assaults of hot-blooded opponents, as the proud old headland, jutting far into ocean's bosom, tosses high, in worthless spray, the dark mountain billows which in wrath beat upon it.
"Do the gentlemen from the South," said he, "think they can frighten me by their threats?
If that be their object, let me tell them, sir, they have mistaken their man.

I am not to be frightened from the discharge of a sacred duty, by their indignation, by their violence, nor, sir, by all the grand juries in the universe.

I have done only my duty; and I shall do it again under the same circumstances, even though they recur to-morrow." "Though aged, he was so iron of limb, None of the youth could cope with him; And the foes whom he singly kept at bay, Outnumbered his thin hairs of silver grey." Nor was Mr.Adams without encouragement in his trying position.