Mr. Randolph moved that the House proceed to ballot a second time for Speaker.
The Clerk having put the question, it was carried—67 to 43.
Mr. Macon said he certainly felt a sense of gratitude towards those who had voted for him; but he should be obliged to them to vote for some other person. He had rather remain on the floor of the House than be placed in the Chair. He had experienced the difficulties of the situation; besides, by an illness during last winter, his lungs had been so affected that he did not feel himself adequate to the task. As his declining the situation might be unexpected to some gentlemen, to accommodate them he would ask a postponement of the ballot for a time. He considered the office of Speaker of the House as one of the most honorable in the nation. Perhaps none was more so, after that of President and Vice President. Notwithstanding this, were there a probability of his being chosen, he must decline being placed in the Chair.
The House then proceeded to a further ballot; and Mr. N. R. Moore reported the result to be:
For Mr. Varnum, 65; Mr. Macon, 45; Mr. Pitkin, 6; Mr. Howard, 1; Mr. Nelson, 1, and Mr. Goldsborough, 1.
Mr. Varnum having a majority of votes was declared elected, and conducted to the Chair; whence he addressed the House as follows:
"Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
"The continued manifestation of the national confidence in me, expressed by the Representatives of the people on this occasion, fills my heart with grateful sensibility. In obedience to the call of my country, I accept the office assigned me, and will endeavor to discharge the duties of it according to the best of my abilities, and agreeably to the wishes of the House."
The Speaker having been sworn, the oath to support the Constitution of the United States was by him administered to the members, by States.
The House then proceeded to the choice of a Clerk, by ballot. The votes having been counted, there were—