In view of the late action in the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress—­adverse as they may seem, to those who think more highly of the branches of the Legislature than of the SOURCE of their power—­the abolitionists see nothing that is cause for discouragement.  They find the PEOPLE sound; they know that they still cherish, as their fathers did, the right of petition—­the freedom of the press—­the freedom of speech—­the rights of conscience; that they love the liberty of the North more than they love the slavery of the South.  What care they for Resolutions in the House, or Resolutions in the Senate, when the House and the Senate are but their ministers, their servants, and they know that they can discharge them at their pleasure?  It may be, that Congress has yet to learn, that the people have but slight regard for their restraining resolutions.  They ought to have known this from the history of such resolutions for the last two years.  THIRTY-SEVEN THOUSAND petitioners for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia had their petitions laid on the table by the resolution of the House of Representatives in May, 1836.  At the succeeding session, they had increased to ONE HUNDRED AND TEN THOUSAND.—­The resolution of Jan. 18, 1837, laid all their petitions in the same way on the table.  At the called, and at the present session, these 110,000 had multiplied to FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND[A].  Soon, Senators and Representatives will be sent from the free states who will need no petitions—­they will know the prayer of their constituents before they leave their homes.

[Footnote A:  See Appendix, G.]

In concluding this, my answer to your 13th interrogatory, I will say that I know of no event, that has transpired, either in or out of Congress, for the last two or three years, that has had any other influence on the efforts of abolitionists than to increase and stimulate them.  Indeed, every thing that has taken place within that period, ought to excite to their utmost efforts all who are not despairing dastards.  The Demon of oppression in this land is tenfold more fierce and rampant and relentless than he was supposed to be before roused from the quiet of his lair.  To every thing that is precious the abolitionists have seen him lay claim.  The religion of the Bible must be adulterated—­the claims of Humanity must be smothered—­the demands of justice must be nullified—­a part of our Race must be shut out from the common sympathy of a common nature.  Nor is this all:  they see their own rights and those of the people; the right to SPEAK—­to WRITE—­to PRINT—­to PUBLISH—­to ASSEMBLE TOGETHER—­to PETITION THEIR OWN SERVANTS—­all brought in peril.  They feel that the final conflict between Popular liberty and Aristocratic slavery has come; that one or the other must fall; and they have made up their minds, with the blessing of God on their efforts, that their adversary shall die.