Subjects – Gag Rule
Representative James Henry Hammond of South Carolina
February 01, 1836
Representative James Henry Hammond of South Carolina, delivered the first defense in Congress of the institution of slavery when he spoke to explain his motion that antislavery petitions “be not received,” by the House.
The House of Representatives instituted the “gag rule”
May 18, 1836
On this date, during the 24th Congress (1835–1837), the House of Representatives instituted the “gag rule.”
Vermont Representative William Slade’s antislavery speech in the 25th Congress
December 20, 1837
William Slade of Vermont caused the House to adjourn when he attempted to give a speech “on the abolition of slavery and the slave trade in the District of Columbia.”
A motion to censure Representative John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts
February 07, 1842
On this date, the House voted 106 to 93 to table a motion censuring Representative John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts for antislavery agitation.
The House censured Claims Committee Chairman Joshua R. Giddings of Ohio
March 22, 1842
The House of Representatives voted to censure Claims Committee Chairman Joshua R. Giddings of Ohio.