In 1839 Mr.Giddings says "that it was impossible for any man, who submitted so quietly to the dictation of slavery as Mr.Webster, to command that influence which was necessary to constitute a successful politician." How much Mr.Webster's attitude had weakened, just at this period, is shown better by his own action than by anything Mr.Giddings could say.

The ship Enterprise, engaged in the domestic slave-trade from Virginia to New Orleans, had been driven into Port Hamilton, and the slaves had escaped.

Great Britain refused compensation.

Thereupon, early in 1840, Mr.Calhoun introduced resolutions declaratory of international law on this point, and setting forth that England had no right to interfere with, or to permit, the escape of slaves from vessels driven into her ports.

The resolutions were idle, because they could effect nothing, and mischievous because they represented that the sentiment of the Senate was in favor of protecting the slave-trade.