the Potomac, but it would only be to direct its waters into a new channel; in the same way as the rejection of anti-slavery petitions had resulted in the formation of a third abolition political party, which was now regularly organized and in the field.  Having previously heard much of the virulence of the pro-slavery members, I was particularly impressed with the silence and attention with which they listened to this speech, and with the feeling which seemed evidently to prevail, that the subject could no longer be met with contempt and ridicule.  One of the liberal members told me afterwards, that they felt themselves in a different atmosphere to what they did two years ago, both in the House and in the city, when touching upon this subject.  Before the debate closed, the House divided on the question, whether ex-president Adams, the veteran defender of the constitutional right of petition, and who had brought forward this motion for the repeal of the “gag,” was entitled to the right of reply.  This was decided in his favor, and the House adjourned till the beginning of the following week.

In the afternoon, I proceeded, by a steam packet, with one of my friends, to Alexandria, about six miles distant, on the other side of the Potomac.  A merchant, to whom I had an introduction, kindly accompanied us to a slave-trading establishment there, which is considered the principal one in the District.  The proprietor was absent; but the person in charge, a stout, middle-aged man, with a good-natured countenance, that little indicated his employment, readily consented to show us over the establishment.  On passing behind the house, we looked through a grated iron door, into a square court or yard, with very high walls, in which were about fifty slaves.  Some of the younger ones were dancing to a fiddle, an affecting proof, in their situation, of the degradation caused by slavery.  There were others, who seemed a prey to silent dejection.  Among these was a woman, who had run away from her master twelve years ago, and had married and lived ever since as a free person.  She was at last discovered, taken and sold, along with her child, and would shortly be shipped to New Orleans, unless her husband could raise the means of her redemption, which we understood he was endeavoring to do.  If he failed, they are lost to him for ever.  Another melancholy looking woman was here with her nine children, the whole family having been sold away from their husband and father, to this slave-dealer, for two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.  This unfeeling separation is but the beginning of their sorrows.  They will, in all probability, be re-sold at New Orleans, scattered and divided, until not perhaps two of them are left together.  The most able-bodied negro I saw, cost the slave-dealer six hundred and eighty-five dollars.