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Primary sourceDocumentMay 1836

John Quincy Adams handwritten resolution against gag rule

John Quincy Adams · May 1836

A handwritten draft resolution by John Quincy Adams protesting the House 'gag rule' that blocked debate on slavery petitions.

This is Adams's own draft, documenting his eight-year fight against the gag rule silencing debate on slavery.

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Handwritten manuscript on aged paper with faded and crossed-out lines of ink. Legible text reads 'Upon the name of John Quincy Adams... I hold the Resolution to be in direct violation of the Constitution of the United States, of the Rules of this House, and of the rights of my constituents.' Words are struck through and interlined.
John Quincy Adams, draft resolution against the gag rule, May 1836.

About this source

What it is

This is a handwritten manuscript draft by John Quincy Adams dated May 1836, protesting the House of Representatives' "gag rule," which automatically tabled any discussion of slavery on the floor.

Why it matters

After his presidency, Adams served in the House and became known for his persistent fight for the right to petition, even on the controversial subject of slavery. This draft, with its crossed-out and rewritten lines, shows him arguing that the gag rule violated the Constitution, the rules of the House, and the rights of his constituents.

Look closer

  • Why do you think Adams crossed out and rewrote parts of this resolution?
  • What does his language suggest about how strongly he felt about this issue?
  • What does this document tell you about the limits placed on debating slavery in Congress?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of John Quincy Adams on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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