To order the main question, which is the engrossment and third reading of H. R. 7, a bill to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain. (p.14-1

On Dec 4, 1861, the House voted 58–69 (HR 7). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 54–32, Democrats 1–28, Others 3–10. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 33 members voted against their own party.

During the 37th Congress (1861–1862), Abraham Lincoln was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 58
No: 69
Did not vote: 71
Date: Dec 4, 1861

By party

Republicans54 yes · 32 no · 24 didn’t vote
Democrats1 yes · 28 no · 23 didn’t vote
Others3 yes · 10 no · 24 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Elihu Benjamin Washburne R-IL voted no
William Kellogg R-IL voted no
William McKee Dunn R-IN voted no
George Washington Julian R-IN voted no
Thomas Dawes Eliot R-MA voted no
John Bassett Alley R-MA voted no
Daniel Wheelwright Gooch R-MA voted no
Charles Russell Train R-MA voted no
Henry Laurens Dawes R-MA voted no
John Noble Goodwin R-ME voted no
Bradley Francis Granger R-MI voted no
Edward Henry Rollins R-NH voted no
Thomas McKey Edwards R-NH voted no
John Thompson Nixon R-NJ voted no
John Leake Newbold Stratton R-NJ voted no
William Wall R-NY voted no
Abram Baldwin Olin R-NY voted no
Roscoe Conkling R-NY voted no
Theodore Medad Pomeroy R-NY voted no
James Mitchell Ashley R-OH voted no
Samuel Shellabarger R-OH voted no
Carey Allen Trimble R-OH voted no
Valentine Baxter Horton R-OH voted no
Samuel Thomas Worcester R-OH voted no
Albert Gallatin Riddle R-OH voted no
John Hutchins R-OH voted no
William Darrah Kelley R-PA voted no
James Hepburn Campbell R-PA voted no
Hendrick Bradley Wright D-PA voted yes
Robert Mcknight R-PA voted no
Eliakim Persons Walton R-VT voted no
Justin Smith Morrill R-VT voted no
John Fox Potter R-WI 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 order the main question, which is the…: House Vote, Dec 4, 1861,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/37-H-56/to-order-the-main-question-which-is-the-engrossment (accessed 2026-10-17).