Senate roll call 54 · 25th Congress · Jan 3, 1838
To amend the first resolution concerning slavery, freedom of speech and the press, by stating that the states retain sole rights and responsibilities over their
On Jan 3, 1838, the Senate voted 14–31. Result: failed. By party: Democrats 5–26, Others 9–5. 5 members voted against their own party.
During the 25th Congress (1837–1838), Martin Van Buren was president.
- Yes
- 14
- No
- 31
- Did not vote
- 14
- Date
- Jan 3, 1838
By party
- Democrats5 yes · 26 no · 9 didn’t vote
- Others9 yes · 5 no · 5 didn’t vote
Who broke with their party
- John Tipton D-IN voted yes
- John Ruggles D-ME voted yes
- Thomas Morris D-OH voted yes
- James Buchanan D-PA voted yes
- Samuel Mckean D-PA voted yes
How each senator voted: Yes
- Richard Henry Bayard O-DE
- Thomas Clayton O-DE
- John Tipton D-IN
- Oliver Hampton Smith O-IN
- Daniel Webster O-MA
- John Davis O-MA
- John Ruggles D-ME
- Samuel Lewis Southard O-NJ
- Thomas Morris D-OH
- James Buchanan D-PA
- Samuel Mckean D-PA
- Asher Robbins O-RI
- Benjamin Swift O-VT
- Samuel Prentiss O-VT
How each senator voted: No
- Clement Comer Clay D-AL
- William Rufus de Vane King D-AL
- Ambrose Hundley Sevier D-AR
- William Savin Fulton D-AR
- John Milton Niles D-CT
- Perry Smith D-CT
- Alfred Cuthbert D-GA
- Wilson Lumpkin D-GA
- John McCracken Robinson D-IL
- Richard Montgomery Young D-IL
- Henry Clay O-KY
- Robert Carter Nicholas D-LA
- Reuel Williams D-ME
- John Norvell D-MI
- Lucius Lyon D-MI
- Lewis Fields Linn D-MO
- John Black O-MS
- Robert John Walker D-MS
- Bedford Brown D-NC
- Robert Strange D-NC
- Franklin Pierce D-NH
- Henry Hubbard D-NH
- Garret Dorset Wall D-NJ
- Silas Wright Jr. D-NY
- William Allen D-OH
- Nehemiah Rice Knight O-RI
- John Caldwell Calhoun D-SC
- William Campbell Preston O-SC
- Hugh Lawson White O-TN
- William Cabell Rives D-VA
- William Henry Roane D-VA
Did not vote
- John Mckinley D-AL
- John Pendleton King D-GA
- John Jordan Crittenden O-KY
- Alexander Mouton D-LA
- John Selby Spence O-MD
- Joseph Kent O-MD
- William Duhurst Merrick O-MD
- Thomas Hart Benton D-MO
- James Fisher Trotter D-MS
- Thomas Hickman Williams D-MS
- Nathaniel Pitcher Tallmadge D-NY
- Ephraim Hubbard Foster O-TN
- Felix Grundy D-TN
- Richard Elliott Parker D-VA
Other votes
From Voteview roll call records.
Cite or embed this page
Capitol Receipts, “To amend the first resolution concerning…: Senate Vote, Jan 3, 1838,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/25-S-54/to-amend-the-first-resolution-concerning-slavery-freedom-of (accessed 2026-10-17).