Mr. Nicholas asked whether it would not then be in order to postpone the consideration of the subject?
The Speaker answered, it would.
Mr. Nicholas renewed the motion for a postponement till to-morrow.
Mr. Harper, believing that it would be proper to refer this resolution to a committee, as before, especially as some of the facts did not pass within the view of the House, he should vote against the postponement—not because he wished to avoid a vote on the question; for, if it should be the opinion of the House that it ought not to go to a committee, he was perfectly ready to give a vote upon the question; but he thought it better that the business should have this course. With respect to any discussion being necessary upon this subject, he perhaps might think it necessary to make some observations upon it, when the question came before the House for decision; for, though some gentlemen might be endued with the happy faculty of doing every thing in an instant, he could not boast of possessing that faculty. But, even if he were not desirous of discussion for his own information, he wished it for the information of the public; and, notwithstanding all that the House had heard about a waste of public money and public time, he believed they should best serve the public by suffering the business to take the usual course.
The motion for a postponement was put and negatived.
Mr. Sitgreaves then moved that the resolution be referred to the Committee of Privileges.
Mr. Harper moved that the committee have leave to sit during the session of the House.
Mr. Thatcher thought, as it was probable a number of members might be wanted to give evidence, the House had better adjourn, as on a former occasion, as it would not be proper to go on with business when so many members were absent.
Mr. T. Claiborne hoped leave would not be granted for the committee to sit immediately. He wished them coolly to deliberate upon the business, which they could scarcely be expected to do, when their passions were so strongly affected as they must be at present.
The question for leave to sit during the session was put and carried—46 to 36.