Van Buren was not happy about this.
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The United States government decided to appeal this decision before the Supreme Court. Lewis Tappan visited John Quincy Adams at his home, the Hermitage, in Massachusetts, to persuade him to argue the case. Adams had a history of sympathizing with slaves. He was the oldest son of the 2nd President of the United States, John Adams. He was the only son of a president, at that time, to become a president himself. He became the 6th President of the United States in 1824. In 1830, more than a year-and-a half after he left the White House, he was elected to Congress. The time he spent in Congress was the most important and productive phase of his career. He preached against the pro-slavery motives of John Calhoun. He was, at heart, and abolitionist, but it was never officially acknowledged. In 1839, he presented a resolution to the House of Representatives concerning slavery. It stated that every child born in the United States after July 4, 1842 should be considered free. Although, with the exception of Florida, Adams thought that no new state should be admitted to the Union with slavery. In the District of Columbia, slavery and slave trade wouldn't be allowed to exist after July 4, 1845, according to Adam's resolution. However, there was a "gag" rule at that time which prohibited all discussions of slavery. This blocked any discussion of his proposed amendment. Adams kept fighting the "gag" rules, and for the right to petition Congress for mitigation and abolition of slavery. He stated these rules were a direct violation of the 1st Amendment and would not drop his campaign for change. He had received many petitions from all over northern states, and in 1837, Adams presented them to Congress. He was threatened with censure, but defended himself very well. At each session, the majority against him decreased. Finally, in 1841, his motion to repeal the 21st "gag" rule of the House of Representatives was passed by a vote of 108-80.
