My colleague, Mr.Dawes, was in the chair.

Poland was brought to the bar.
Mr.Dawes addressed him with solemnity: "Mr.Poland, of Vermont, you have been absent from the session of the House without its leave.

What excuse have you to offer ?" The Judge paused a moment and then replied in a tone of great gravity and emotion: "I went with my wife to call on my minister, and I stayed a little too long." The House accepted the excuse, and I suppose the religious people of the Judge's district would have maintained him in office for a thousand years by virtue of that answer, if they had had their way.

A man who had been so long exposed to the wickedness and temptations of Washington, and had committed only the sin of staying a little too long when he called on his minister might safely be trusted anywhere.
Judge Peters, of Maine, did not speak very frequently and did not attract much public attention.

But he had a strong influence with the members of the House.