Home > The 'Gag Rule' of 1836 - including the infamous, "Am I gagged?", by John Quincy Adams…

Click image to enlarge

Hide image list »

The 'Gag Rule' of 1836 - including the infamous, "Am I gagged?", by John Quincy Adams…

Item # 714541

May 26, 1836

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 26 and 28, 1836 (a two-issue set)

The May 26th issue has much of the contentious dialogue in The House of Representatives regarding the resolution which, if passed, would prevent any discussion in the chamber on the subject of slavery. The 3rd column of page three has mention of John Quincy Adams’ declaration: "Am I gagged?" This is his famous declaration (more than a question) which led to the house rule being nicknamed "The Gag Rule". While this newspaper does not quote him; rather, the report has: "Mr. Adams asked if he was gagged or not". Still, few newspapers made reference to this at all.
A few lines later, the report has: "Mr. Adams requested leave to address the house. He said, if they would allow him five minutes’ time, he would pledge himself to prove that the resolution was utterly false and unconstitutional."
Even though the resolution beginning the era of "The Gag Rule" passed, neither the vote count nor the actual resolution itself were included. However…
The front page of the May 28th issue has discussions in the "House of Representatives" which includes the very significant "Gag Rule" of 1836, the first instance of what would become a traditional practice forbidding the House from considering anti-slavery petitions. It would be overturned in 1844.
The text reads: "The question being next on the third resolution, it was read as follows: 'And whereas it is extremely important & desirable that the agitation on this subject should be finally arrested, for the purpose of restoring tranquillity to the public mind...Resolved, That all petitions, memorials, resolutions, propositions, or papers, relating in any way or to any extent whatever, to the subject of slavery or the abolition of slaver, shall, without being either printed or referred, be laid upon the table, and that no further action whatever shall be had thereon.'..." with more on the discussion. Then: "...The resolution as agreed to--yeas 117, nays 68."
Terrific to not only have in these newspapers from the nation's capital (appeared two days earlier here than the few other papers that had the complete reporting rather than a brief mention), but on the front page as well.
As if this wasn't sufficient, other reposts within the pair of issues includes content regarding the massacre at Goliad (Texas), the Creek Nation, the Cherokee Nation, and more.
Each are complete in 4 pages and are in good condition. See photos for details.