The proceedings of this House in 1790, in reference to petitions on the matter of the slave trade, and of slavery in the States, have been cited. It …

- Caleb Cushing

And if this House is to be scared, by whatever influences, from its duty, to receive and hear the petitions of the People, then I shall send my voice…

- Caleb Cushing

I declare and protest in advance, that I do not intend, at this time at least; to be drawn or driven into the question of slavery, in either of its s…

- Caleb Cushing

Sir, I am a republican; and I desire to see this House observe the principles of that democracy which is ever on the lips of its members, and which, …

- Caleb Cushing

We are laying the foundations of a government, which we hope may outlast the Pyramids.

- Caleb Cushing

The right of petition is an old undoubted household right of the blood of England, which runs in our veins.

- Caleb Cushing

I maintain that the House is bound by the Constitution to receive the petitions; after which, it will take such method of deciding upon them as reaso…

- Caleb Cushing

You well know, sir, that when the Constitution was submitted to the People of the respective States for their adoption or rejection, it awakened the …

- Caleb Cushing

It is impossible, in my mind, to distinguish between the refusal to receive a petition, or its summary rejection by some general order, and the denia…

- Caleb Cushing