Mr. Gallatin wished to know, if the House were to go into a Committee of the Whole on the bill from the Senate, whether a declaration of war might not be moved as an amendment to the bill. To his mind, there seemed to be but little difference between saying the treaties are at an end, and declaring war. If such a motion could be received, it would be desirable to know the will of the House upon it. The shortest way of coming at this question would be the best. He wished the Speaker to say whether he thought such a motion would be in order.
[No answer was given to the inquiry.]
Mr. Allen considered it best to act always with frankness. He wished, by his resolution, that a committee should inquire into, and declare to the House, and to the country, the true state of our situation with respect to France; and if they should report any measures which should supersede the bill from the Senate, it would be the most fair and open way of getting at the business.
The question on taking up the bill from the Senate was put, and negatived—41 to 35.
Mr. Allen then called up his resolution. It had been said that our negotiation with France is yet carrying on, which he denied, and he wished this resolution to go to a numerous committee to report as to that fact, and as to our situation generally with respect to France.
Mr. Harrison hoped the House would go into a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, in order to inquire into what is the state of the country? Those gentlemen who wish war, and are determined to have it, ought to speak out. The world should understand them, and the people ought not to be deceived. He hoped gentlemen would bring forward their declaration of war at once. He had always been, and should now be, opposed to war, but he wanted to put his negative upon it.
Mr. Harper had no objection to go into a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, if the gentleman from Virginia had any motion to make, when the House got into that situation.
Mr. Hartley hoped the resolution before the House would be referred to a select committee, that the House might have a report upon it. He wondered that gentlemen who were against going to war, should wish to press the question of a declaration of it upon the House.
Mr. Dana observed that, from what had been now said upon the resolution, he saw no necessity for voting upon it at all.
Mr. Otis spoke in favor of referring the resolution to a select committee, and saw no reason why the House should go into a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.