sir, is the whole morality of the United States confined to the Quakers?  Are they the only people whose feelings are to be consulted on this occasion?  Is it to them we owe our present happiness?  Was it they who formed the Constitution?  Did they, by their arms, or contributions, establish our independence?  I believe they were generally opposed to that measure.  Why, then, on their application, shall we injure men, who, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, secured to the community their liberty and property?  If Congress pay any uncommon degree of attention to their petition, it will furnish just ground of alarm to the Southern States.  But, why do these men set themselves up, in such a particular manner, against slavery?  Do they understand the rights of mankind, and the disposition of Providence better than others?  If they were to consult that Book which claims our regard, they will find that slavery is not only allowed, but commended.  Their Saviour, who possessed more benevolence and commiseration than they pretend to, has allowed of it.  And if they fully examine the subject, they will find that slavery has been no novel doctrine since the days of Cain.  But be these things as they may, I hope the house will order the petition to lie on the table, in order to prevent alarming our Southern brethren.

Mr. Sedgwick, (of Mass.) If it was a serious question, whether the Memorial should be committed or not, I would not urge it at this time; but that cannot be a question for a moment, if we consider our relative situation with the people.  A number of men,—­who are certainly very respectable, and of whom, as a society, it may be said with truth, that they conform their moral conduct to their religious tenets, as much as any people in the whole community,—­come forward and tell you, that you may effect two objects by the exercise of a Constitutional authority which will give great satisfaction; on the one hand you may acquire revenue, and on the other, restrain a practice productive of great evil.  Now, setting aside the religious motives which influenced their application, have they not a right, as citizens, to give their opinion of public measures?  For my part I do not apprehend that any State, or any considerable number of individuals in any State, will be seriously alarmed at the commitment of the petition, from a fear that Congress intend to exercise an unconstitutional authority, in order to violate their rights; I believe there is not a wish of the kind entertained by any member of this body.  How can gentlemen hesitate then to pay that respect to a memorial which it is entitled to, according to the ordinary mode of procedure in business?  Why shall we defer doing that till to-morrow, which we can do to-day? for the result, I apprehend, will be the same in either case.