To postpone the present order of business providing a temporary government for the territory of dakota, and to create the office of surveyor general therein, s.

On Feb 16, 1861, the Senate voted 11–30 (S 562). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 4–16, Democrats 5–14, Others 2–0. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 9 members voted against their own party.

During the 36th Congress (1859–1860), James Buchanan was president, and Republicans held the House majority and Democrats the Senate majority.

Yes: 11
No: 30
Did not vote: 29
Date: Feb 16, 1861

By party

Democrats5 yes · 14 no · 22 didn’t vote
Republicans4 yes · 16 no · 7 didn’t vote
Others2 yes · 0 no

Who broke with their party

William King Sebastian D-AR voted yes
William McKendree Gwin D-CA voted yes
Stephen Arnold Douglas D-IL voted yes
Charles Sumner R-MA voted yes
Kinsley Scott Bingham R-MI voted yes
Preston King R-NY voted yes
James Fowler Simmons R-RI voted yes
Alfred Osborn Pope Nicholson D-TN voted yes
John Hemphill D-TX 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 postpone the present order of business…: Senate Vote, Feb 16, 1861,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-S-476/to-postpone-the-present-order-of-business-providing-a (accessed 2026-10-17).