He consistently opposed a congressional gag rule on antislavery petitions in Congress. In 1836, Representative Charles Pinckney from South Carolina introduced a measure that would bar discussion of antislavery petitions. The House approved the measure and continually reaffirmed the measure year after year. John Quincy Adams adamantly opposed the measure and fought to have it rescinded. Finally, in 1844, the House voted down the measure by a 108 to 80 vote. In his diary, Adams wrote: “Blessed, forever blessed be the name of God!”