This course was the more peculiar because of the reference of petitions of a similar character in the month previous to the committee of the whole.

The Federalists were abusing their majority, and precipitating their unexpected but certain ruin.

One more effort was made to repeal the offensive penal act; the constitutional objection was again pleaded, but the repeal was defeated by a vote of 52 in the affirmative.

Mr.Gallatin opposed these laws in all their stages, but, failing in this, persistently endeavored to make them as good as possible before they passed.

Jefferson later said that nothing could obliterate from the recollection of those who were witnesses of it the courage of Gallatin in the "Days of Terror."[8] The vote of thanks to Mr.Dayton, the speaker, was carried by a vote of 40 to 22.