March 3, 1837.
The following protest was presented to the House, which was read and
ordered to be spread in the journals, to wit:
“Resolutions upon the subject of domestic slavery having passed both
branches of the General Assembly at its present session, the undersigned
hereby protest against the passage of the same.
“They believe that the institution of slavery is founded on both
injustice and bad policy, but that the promulgation of abolition
doctrines tends rather to increase than abate its evils.
“They believe that the Congress of the United States has no power under
the Constitution to interfere with the institution of slavery in the
different States.
“They believe that the Congress of the United States has the power,
under the Constitution, to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia,
but that the power ought not to be exercised, unless at the request of
the people of the District.
“The difference between these opinions and those contained in the said
resolutions is their reason for entering this protest.
“DAN STONE,
“A. LINCOLN,
“Representatives from the County of Sangamon.”