To consider the slavery petition.

On Dec 12, 1837, the House voted 145–60. Result: passed. By party: Democrats 80–27, Others 65–33. 27 members voted against their own party.

During the 25th Congress (1837–1838), Martin Van Buren was president.

Yes: 145
No: 60
Did not vote: 52
Date: Dec 12, 1837

By party

Democrats80 yes · 27 no · 27 didn’t vote
Others65 yes · 33 no · 24 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Reuben Chapman D-AL voted no
Joshua Lanier Martin D-AL voted no
Archibald Yell D-AR voted no
William L. May D-IL voted no
Benjamin Chew Howard D-MD voted no
Isaac Mckim D-MD voted no
Francis Thomas D-MD voted no
John Miller D-MO voted no
John Francis Hamtramck Claiborne D-MS voted no
Samuel Jameson Gholson D-MS voted no
Micajah Thomas Hawkins D-NC voted no
William Montgomery D-NC voted no
Zadock Pratt D-NY voted no
Edward Burd Hubley D-PA voted no
David Petrikin D-PA voted no
Hugh Swinton Legaré D-SC voted no
Abraham Mcclellan D-TN voted no
Hopkins Lacy Turney D-TN voted no
John Winston Jones D-VA voted no
George Coke Dromgoole D-VA voted no
James Wood Bouldin D-VA voted no
Walter Coles D-VA voted no
Archibald Stuart D-VA voted no
James Garland D-VA voted no
Isaac Samuels Pennybacker D-VA voted no
George Washington Hopkins D-VA voted no
Andrew Beirne D-VA voted no

How each representative voted: Yes

How each representative voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To consider the slavery petition.: House Vote, Dec 12, 1837,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/25-H-56/to-consider-the-slavery-petition (accessed 2026-10-16).