The Chairman considered the committee as incompetent to clearing the galleries. He thought it must be the act of the House.
Mr. Dawson inquired if the same rules that applied to the House, did not also apply to Committees of the Whole?
Mr. Randolph called for the reading of the President's Message respecting New Orleans.
Mr. Griswold said there was other business, not requiring secrecy, referred to the committee.
Mr. Randolph repeated his call for the reading of the President's Message.
The Chairman asked what Message?
Mr. Randolph replied, the confidential Message.
Mr. Griswold said that could not be read with open doors.
The Chairman said the doors could not be closed without an order of the House.
Mr. S. Smith observed that it had been customary to clear the galleries before the House went into committee. To save time, he would move that the committee should rise, in order to obtain an order of the House to that effect.