To pass H. R. 576 (11 stat. 559, app.2/14/1859), a bill to compensate captain douglas ottinger for use of his invention of life or surf-cars and to enable him t

On Feb 11, 1859, the Senate voted 28–15 (HR 576). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 14–13, Republicans 12–2, Others 2–0. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 15 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: 28
No: 15
Did not vote: 30
Date: Feb 11, 1859

By party

Democrats14 yes · 13 no · 20 didn’t vote
Republicans12 yes · 2 no · 7 didn’t vote
Others2 yes · 0 no · 3 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Benjamin Fitzpatrick D-AL voted no
Clement Claiborne Clay Jr. D-AL voted no
Robert Ward Johnson D-AR voted no
Robert Augustus Toombs D-GA voted no
John Slidell D-LA voted no
James Alfred Pearce D-MD voted no
William Pitt Fessenden R-ME voted no
Henry Mower Rice D-MN voted no
Jefferson Davis D-MS voted no
David Settle Reid D-NC voted no
Thomas Lanier Clingman D-NC voted no
Preston King R-NY voted no
James Chesnut Jr. D-SC voted no
Andrew Johnson D-TN voted no
Matthias Ward D-TX voted no

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 pass H. R. 576 (11 stat. 559…: Senate Vote, Feb 11, 1859,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/35-S-562/to-pass-h-r-576-11-stat-559-app (accessed 2026-10-17).