The national Republican., 1860-12-11
uOIISE
The House met at the usual hour, and was
u L A.


called to order by the Speaker.
Prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Rev. 7.
Fl. Stockton, in which alusion was made to the
present state of the country, and also to the
Union Prayer Meeting Convention which as
sembes in Washington tonight
After the reading Of the Journal Of yester.
day
A report from the Postmaster General was
received transmitting the information which the
House had called for by its resolution passed on
the 23d of June last, by which the Postmaster
General was desired to furnish the House, du
ring the present session, a statement of the dis
lance of the mail routes from the post offices Of
the members of both branches of Congress to
the city of Washington. The report was re-
ferred to the Committee on Mileage, and ordered
to be printed.
The subject pending being the motion Of
Mr.. Hawkins asking to be excused from serv-
ing on the committee
Mr.. Cobb, of Alabama, very briefly addressed
the House. The eye of the whole country was
directed on the committee. He hoped some
good might result from the deliberations Of the
committee. But the time was short. In his
own State, the election for delegates to the
Convention would be held on the oath day Of the
present month, and the Convention would meet
in January. He hoped a vote would be taken
Immediately. The people were anxious in re.
lation to this matter. What meant those crowded
galleries He hoped they would organize the
committee, and see il something could not be
done. He referred to the Boston election, and
regarded it as p good sign. He hoped his
State would remain in the Union. He called
for the previous question.
Mr. Davis asked Mr.. Cobb to withdraw
his call for the previous question, as he desired
to give his reasons why he should consent to
serve on the committee.
Mr.. Cobb withdrew the call for the question,
with the understanding that Mr.. Davis would
renew it.
Mr. Davis then stated that he intended to
serve on the committee. Though his constit.
uents might not approve his course, yet his own
conscience approved it, and that was sufficient
for him. He renewed the call for the previous
question.
The call for the previous question was sus-
tanned.
The question on the motion to be excused
was then taken, and resulted as follows-yeas
95, nays l0l.
So the gentleman was not excused from
serving on the committee.
Mr.. Hawkins then remarked that silence on
his part might be misconstrued. He had but
one word to say-he would not serve on the
committee.
Mr.. Boyce, of South Carolina, then asked to
be excused from serving on the committee.
Mr.. Burnett hoped the gentleman would be
excused. No member should be compelled 10
serve against his will it would entirely de-
feat the object of the committee.
Mr.. Smith, Of Virginia, had voted against ex-
cusing the gentleman from Florida, Mr.. Haw-
kins He looked with uneasiness upon the
present state Of the country, and hoped some.
thing would be done by the committee to ar
range and settle the existing difficulties. He
was anxious to see the movement go forth in
the true spirit in which it was offered. He might
vote to excuse others from States where others
might be found to FIJI the vacancies, but he
could not in the case before the House.
Mr.. Burnett, Of Kentucky, wanted to know
il there was an instance on record where mem.
bers had been compelled to serve against their
will.
Mr.. Smith knew of many such. But in this
case, gentlemen had asked to be excused, at
the same time not intending to serve if their
request was refused.
Mr.. Burnett was opposed to using force.
Mr.. Smith was not in favor of using force
But the crisis was an imminent one, and re.
qured positive action. He then called for the
previous question on the motion to excuse Mr.
Boyce.
The call for the question was sustained and
tie vote, and he was not excused.
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Vermont, asked to be excused
from serving on the committee.
Pending the consideration of which, our re-
port closed.