To go into executive session in order to consider executive business.

On Dec 22, 1858, the Senate voted 30–23. Result: passed. By party: Democrats 19–11, Republicans 9–10, Others 2–2. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 20 members voted against their own party.

During the 35th Congress (1857–1858), James Buchanan was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 30
No: 23
Did not vote: 20
Date: Dec 22, 1858

By party

Democrats19 yes · 11 no · 17 didn’t vote
Republicans9 yes · 10 no · 2 didn’t vote
Others2 yes · 2 no · 1 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Benjamin Fitzpatrick D-AL voted no
Robert Augustus Toombs D-GA voted no
George Wallace Jones D-IA voted no
Jesse David Bright D-IN voted no
John Slidell D-LA voted no
Henry Wilson R-MA voted yes
James Alfred Pearce D-MD voted no
Hannibal Hamlin R-ME voted yes
William Pitt Fessenden R-ME voted yes
Charles Edward Stuart D-MI voted no
Jefferson Davis D-MS voted no
David Settle Reid D-NC voted no
Thomas Lanier Clingman D-NC voted no
John Parker Hale R-NH voted yes
Preston King R-NY voted yes
Philip Allen D-RI voted no
Jacob Collamer R-VT voted yes
Solomon Foot R-VT voted yes
Charles Durkee R-WI voted yes
James Rood Doolittle R-WI voted yes

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To go into executive session in order to…: Senate Vote, Dec 22, 1858,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/35-S-453/to-go-into-executive-session-in-order-to-consider (accessed 2026-10-16).