Mr. Bayard said he had seen an indisposition in the House to discuss the subject; and the reason why the gentleman from Virginia had not seen it was, that he was not in his place on the day he had before moved that the resolution should be taken up. Had he been in his place, he would have seen that a motion to take it into consideration had been rejected without a single reason being assigned. But under the assurance of the gentleman, that there was no aversion to consider the subject, he would waive his call for the yeas and nays.
Mr. Randolph said he spoke only for himself.
Mr. Bayard replied that he then persisted in the call.
The yeas and nays were then taken on taking up the resolution; and were—yeas 65, nays 26.
The resolution was referred to the Committee of the Whole without opposition.
When Mr. Bayard moved that it be made the order for Monday next.
Mr. R. Williams moved the 3d of March.
Mr. Gregg thought it was best to take the resolution up fairly and decide it at once.
Mr. R. Williams said he was willing to meet it fairly, but he thought one day sufficient for the investigation.
Mr. Huger had no hesitation in saying this was a question of great moment, and one well worthy of the deliberate attention of the House. To be sure, if there was a great press of important business, he would acquiesce in its postponement. But this was not the case. There was no business before the House of pressing importance. He was in favor of a fair and full investigation of the subject. The motion to make it the order of the day for the last day of the session, when the press of other business would absolutely preclude any attention to it, was tantamount to a refusal of all investigation whatever. Unless the motion was withdrawn, he would, therefore, call for the yeas and nays.