Mr. J. Williams said he should approve of the motion for postponement, if it were made for to-morrow, instead of Monday; and he hoped the business would not only be taken up to-morrow, but be concluded before they rose. He had sat with great patience during the late debate, but he should be opposed to going into any further lengthy proceedings on so disagreeable a subject, which would prevent them from doing the business of the nation, for which they were sent.
Mr. Nicholas had no objection to make the question the order for to-morrow, if the House met.
Mr. Thatcher observed, that he had before said that he had seen nothing on the part of Mr. Lyon, in the affray of yesterday, which ought to subject him to expulsion; but the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Parker) said, that if he (Mr. T.) had had his eyes about him, he might have seen something for which he ought to be expelled. If, indeed, he had eyes behind he might have seen what he alluded to; but this not being the case, he did not see it. As far as the business respects Mr. Lyon, some inquiry might be necessary, as all he saw was, that Mr. Lyon suffered much, without any offence on his part. He thought, therefore, the business should be gone into, as on a former occasion, and that they ought to examine the subject with candor, and then they should doubtless decide upon it with propriety.
Mr. Sitgreaves was against the postponement, in order that a different course might be taken. He knew nothing in this case which distinguished it from a late case, and therefore could not see why the same course ought not to be pursued as was then pursued. He should therefore vote against a postponement, in order that the resolution might be referred to the Committee of Privileges.
Mr. Harper inquired whether such a motion would not supersede a motion for postponement.
The Speaker said, it would.
Mr. Harper then made the motion.
Mr. Gallatin asked whether he understood the Speaker rightly, that a motion for a reference to a committee superseded a motion for postponement?
The Speaker said, it did.