Mr. Parker then moved to have it postponed till the 3d of March.
Mr. Henderson thought it more proper to postpone till the 3d than till the 4th. He was ready, he said, to meet the question, either in a direct or indirect way. He had made a calculation, and found that the advances proposed would amount to from $100,000 to $110,000. Mr. H. believed our finances were not in a state to admit of this addition to our expenses; besides, he trusted every necessary of life would soon be reduced in price, so as to render any advance of salary to our officers unnecessary.
The question was put and negatived, 57 to 32.
On motion of Mr. Hartley, Friday week was proposed and negatived, there being only 35 votes for it.
Mr. Gallatin moved that the subject should be made the order for this day. He said he had voted for postponing it till the 4th of March, with a view of getting rid of it; but since it must be considered, he wished it to be disposed of as soon as possible.
Mr. Sitgreaves proposed that it be made the order of the day for Monday.
The sense of the House was first taken for Monday and negatived, there being only 41 votes for it. It was then put for this day and carried, there being 58 votes for it.
Wednesday, February 8.
Election of President.
The Speaker informed the House that the hour was come at which they had appointed to meet the Senate, for the purpose of counting the votes for, and declaring the election of a President and Vice President of the United States, and that the Clerk would inform the Senate they were ready to receive them.