Mr. Macon proposed to-morrow.
Mr. Quincy said (it then being half-past seven o'clock in the evening) he had not been able to take any part in the debate; that the measure which had been thus hurried, was extremely interesting to his immediate constituents, and he was very anxious to express his sentiments upon it—but he was so fatigued with the tedious sitting, that he was unable to do it this evening, and hoped the House would indulge him until to-morrow. He would not condescend to debate such a question in the present state of the House, and he asked for the ayes and noes on Mr. Macon's motion, which were agreed to be taken.
Mr. D. R. Williams said he was desirous to grant the request of the gentleman from Massachusetts. It was in his opinion a very reasonable one. The deportment of the other side of the House had, during the whole of the session, been very gentlemanly towards the majority; and, sir, said he, will you now refuse to give them an opportunity to express their sentiments upon a measure which, in their view, is important? He said that policy on the part of the majority ought to dictate the indulgence asked for. The majority now stand on high ground—what will be said, and what will be the consequence of a refusal? We shall lose the ground on which we now stand.
Mr. Macon was of the same opinion; he thought the minority had acted with more propriety than he ever knew in a minority.
Mr. Wright objected, although he was willing to acknowledge the minority had conducted with propriety.
Mr. Nelson said it appeared to him that according to the importance of subjects, so is our precipitancy. Is the minority thus to be dragooned into this measure? For one, he wished to reflect upon it. The first intimation he had of this measure, was the Message. If it is intended as a precautionary measure, as the precursor to war, as some gentlemen have treated it, it is a question of doubt in his mind. He thought it better to arm our merchantmen; to grant letters of marque and reprisal; and repeal our non-importation law. We have already suffered enough under our restrictive system. If we pass the bill to-night, it cannot be a law until the other branch act upon it. When we are going to war, it will be well known that we have the spontaneous support of more than one-half the community.
Mr. Alston said he would have voted on the motion, if the gentleman had not asked for the ayes and noes; but as he appears desirous to marshal one side of the House against the other, he was not disposed to gratify him in his request.
Mr. Widgery declared war to be inevitable, and it ought not to be delayed; on this account he was against postponing the bill until to-morrow. If we do it at all, it ought to be speedily. It is not to be believed that argument will change a single vote. The responsibility is on the majority.
The question on reading to-morrow was negatived—57 to 54.
It was then read a third time; and on the question, Shall the bill pass? it was carried—ayes 70, noes 41.