2217. DICKINSON (John), Congress and.—
Congress gave a signal proof of their
indulgence to Mr. Dickinson, and of their great
desire not to go too fast for any respectable
part of our body, in permitting him to draw
their second petition to the King according to
his own ideas, and passing it with scarcely
any amendment. The disgust against this humility
was general; and Mr. Dickinson's delight
at its passage was the only circumstance
which reconciled them to it. The vote being
passed, although further observation on it was
out of order, he could not refrain from rising
and expressing his satisfaction, and concluded
by saying, “there is but one word, Mr. President,
in the paper which I disapprove, and that
is the word Congress”; on which Ben. Harrison
rose and said, “there is but one word in the
paper, Mr. President, of which I approve, and
that is the word Congress.”—
Autobiography. Washington ed. i, 11.
Ford ed., i, 17.
(1821)
