The question then came on the petitions themselves, and, by a vote of thirty-four to six, their prayer was rejected, Mr.Webster voting with the minority because he disapproved this method of disposing of the matter.

Soon after, Mr.Webster presented three similar petitions, two from Massachusetts and one from Michigan, and moved their reference to a committee of inquiry.

He stated that, while the government had no power whatever over slavery in the States, it had complete control over slavery in the District, which was a totally distinct affair.

He urged a respectful treatment of the petitions, and defended the right of petition and the motives and characters of the petitioners.

He spoke briefly, and, except when he was charged with placing himself at the head of the petitioners, coldly, and did not touch on the merits of the question, either as to the abolition of slavery in the District or as to slavery itself.
The Southerners, especially the extremists and the nullifiers, were always more ready than any one else to strain the powers of the central government to the last point, and use them most tyrannically and illegally in their own interest and in that of their pet institution.