"The right of petition, I have said, was not conferred on the People by the Constitution, but was a pre-existing right, reserved by the People out of the grants of power made to Congress"

This quote by Caleb Cushing is describing the right of petition, which is the right of residents to make requests to their federal government. Cushing is stating that this right was not granted to the people by the Constitution, however was rather a pre-existing right that individuals had before the Constitution was composed. This right was booked by the individuals when they gave certain powers to Congress. This indicates that the people can petition their federal government even prior to the Constitution was composed, and that this right was not eliminated when they granted certain powers to Congress. This quote is very important due to the fact that it reveals that the right of petition is an important part of the American system of federal government, which it is a right that individuals have constantly had.