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The Road to Civil War

The Senate

To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.

Committee Document Library View

The list of documents under consideration by committee: The Senate at the end of its timeline.

Resolution to Create the Committee to Wait Upon the President

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Dec 1860, 12:00

Resolution to Create the Committee to Wait Upon the President

People: William Bigler

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Dec 1860, 12:00

NOTIFICATION TO THE PRESIDENT. On motion of Mr. BIGLER, it was Resolved, That a committee, consisting of three mem-bers, be appointed, to join such committee as may be ap-pointed by the House of Representatives, to wait on the President of the...

Message from the House

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Dec 1860, 12:00

Message from the House

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Dec 1860, 12:00

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The Message was received.]

Resolution to Create a Committee of Thirteen

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 06 Dec 1860, 12:00

Resolution to Create a Committee of Thirteen

People: Lazarus W. Powell

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Dec 1860, 12:00

The resolution was adopted.

Resolution on the Election of the Chaplain

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 11 Dec 1860, 12:00

Resolution on the Election of the Chaplain

People: Thomas Bragg

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 11 Dec 1860, 12:00

The resolution was considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to.

Resolution to Suspend the 26th Rule

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 28 Feb 1861, 12:00

Resolution to Suspend the 26th Rule

People: William Bigler

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 02 Mar 1861, 12:00

Mr. DOOLITTLE. I have paired off on his question with the Senator from Rhode Island. [Mr. ANTHONY.] Mr. POLK. I consider myself paired on this question with the Senator from Massachusetts, [Mr. SUMNER.] I therefore shall not vote. The question...

Appointment of Standing Committees

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 04 Dec 1861, 12:00

Appointment of Standing Committees

People: Jacob Collamer

Credentials of Garrett Davis

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 23 Dec 1861, 12:00

Credentials of Garrett Davis

People: Henry S. Lane

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 23 Dec 1861, 12:00

CREDENTIALS PRESENTED. Mr. LANE, of Indiana, presented the credentials of Hon. Garrett Davis, chosen by the Legislature of Kentucky, a Senator from that State for the term ending March 3, 1867, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the expulsion from the...

Resolution Expelling Jesse D. Bright from His Seat in the Senate

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 13 Jan 1862, 12:00

Resolution Expelling Jesse D. Bright from His Seat in the Senate

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 05 Feb 1862, 12:00

… The question being taken by yeas and nays, resulted—yeas 32, nays 14; as follows: YEAS—Messrs. Anthony, Browning, Chandler, Clark, Collamer, Davis, Dixon, Doolittle, Fessenden, Foot, Foster, Grimes, Hale, Harlan, Henderson, Howard, Howe, Johnson,...

Credentials of Jacob M. Howard

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 17 Jan 1862, 12:00

Credentials of Jacob M. Howard

People: Zachariah Chandler

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 17 Jan 1862, 12:00

The credentials were read; and the oath prescribed by law having been administered to Mr. Howard, he took his seat in the Senate.

Credentials of Robert Wilson

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 24 Jan 1862, 12:00

Credentials of Robert Wilson

People: Garrett Davis

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 24 Jan 1862, 12:00

The VICE PRESIDENT. The Senator will present himself to have the oath administered to him.

Credentials of John B. Henderson

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 29 Jan 1862, 12:00

Credentials of John B. Henderson

People: Robert Wilson

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 29 Jan 1862, 12:00

The credentials were read, the oath prescribed by law was administered to Mr. Henderson, and he took his seat in the Senate

Resolution on Benjamin Stark

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 07 Feb 1862, 12:00

Resolution on Benjamin Stark

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 27 Feb 1862, 12:00

… The VICE PRESIDENT. The question is upon the adoption of the resolution reported by the Judiciary Committee, as it has been amended on the motion of the Senator from Wisconsin [Mr. Doolittle.] The question being taken by yeas and nays,...

Credentials of Joseph A. Wright

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Mar 1862, 12:00

Credentials of Joseph A. Wright

People: Henry S. Lane

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Mar 1862, 12:00

... The credentials having been read, the oath prescribed by law was administered to Mr. Wright, and he took his seat in the Senate.

Message From the Vice President: Absence From the Senate

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 31 Mar 1862, 12:00

Message From the Vice President: Absence From the Senate

People: Hannibal Hamlin

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 31 Mar 1862, 12:00

The Senate will now choose a President pro tempore. [Editors' note: It can be assumed from its reading that the message was accepted.]

Message to the Senate on the Concurrence of the House in S. 108

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 14 Apr 1862, 12:00

Message to the Senate on the Concurrence of the House in S. 108

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 14 Apr 1862, 12:00

[Editors' note: It can be assumed from its reading that the message was accepted.]

Message to the Senate on the Enrollment of S. 108

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 14 Apr 1862, 12:00

Message to the Senate on the Enrollment of S. 108

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 14 Apr 1862, 12:00

ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED A message from the House of Representatives by Mr. Morris, Chief Clerk, announced that the Speaker of the House had signed the following enrolled bills; which thereupon received the signature of the President pro tempore; A bill...

Message on the Presentation of S. 108 to the President of the United States

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 15 Apr 1862, 12:00

Message on the Presentation of S. 108 to the President of the United States

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 15 Apr 1862, 12:00

[Editors' note: It can be assumed from its reading that the message was accepted.]

Message on the Approval of S. 108

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 16 Apr 1862, 12:00

Message on the Approval of S. 108

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 16 Apr 1862, 12:00

The message was ordered to be printed, and to lie on the table.

Message to the Senate on the Concurrence of the House in the Senate Amendment to H. R. 374

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Jun 1862, 12:00

Message to the Senate on the Concurrence of the House in the Senate Amendment to H. R. 374

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Jun 1862, 12:00

[Editors' note: It can be assumed from its reading that the message was accepted.]

Message to the Senate on the Enrollment of H. R. 374

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Jun 1862, 12:00

Message to the Senate on the Enrollment of H. R. 374

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Jun 1862, 12:00

ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED. The message further announced that the Speaker of the House of Representatives had signed the following enrolled bills; which thereupon received the signature of the Vice President: A bill (H. R. No. 374) to secure freedom to...

Message From the Vice President: Absence From the Senate

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 19 Jun 1862, 12:00

Message From the Vice President: Absence From the Senate

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 19 Jun 1862, 12:00

It now becomes the duty of the Senate to appoint a President pro tempore to serve during the absence of the Vice President. [EDITOR'S NOTE: It can be assumed from its reading that the message was accepted.]

Resolution Naming Solomon Foot the President of the Senate pro tempore

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 19 Jun 1862, 12:00

Resolution Naming Solomon Foot the President of the Senate pro tempore

People: James R. Doolittle

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 19 Jun 1862, 12:00

The resolution was agreed to, nem. con.; and Mr. Foot took the chair as President pro tempore.

Message on the Presentation of H. R. 374 to the President of the United States

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 19 Jun 1862, 12:00

Message on the Presentation of H. R. 374 to the President of the United States

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 19 Jun 1862, 12:00

[Editors' note: It can be assumed from its reading that the message was accepted.]

Message on the Approval of H. R. 374

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 23 Jun 1862, 12:00

Message on the Approval of H. R. 374

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 23 Jun 1862, 12:00

[Editors' note: It can be assumed from its reading that the message was accepted.]

Message to the Senate on the Concurrence of the House in S. 351

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 10 Jul 1862, 12:00

Message to the Senate on the Concurrence of the House in S. 351

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 10 Jul 1862, 12:00

[Editors' note: It can be assumed from its reading that the message was accepted.]

Message to the Senate on the Enrollment of S. 351

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 11 Jul 1862, 12:00

Message to the Senate on the Enrollment of S. 351

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 11 Jul 1862, 12:00

The President pro tempore signed the eleven enrolled bills and the six enrolled joint resolutions this day reported to have been examined, and they were delivered to the committee to be presented to the President of the United States.

Message on the Presentation of S. 351 to the President of the United States

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 12 Jul 1862, 12:00

Message on the Presentation of S. 351 to the President of the United States

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 12 Jul 1862, 12:00

[Editors' note: It can be assumed from its reading that the message was accepted.]

Message on the Approval of S. 351

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 14 Jul 1862, 12:00

Message on the Approval of S. 351

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 14 Jul 1862, 12:00

[Editors' note: It can be assumed from its reading that the message was accepted.]

Resolution on the Development of an Armed Police to Enforce Slavery

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 05 Dec 1860, 12:00

Resolution on the Development of an Armed Police to Enforce Slavery

People: James S. Green

Credentials of Edward D. Baker

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 05 Dec 1860, 12:00

Credentials of Edward D. Baker

People: Milton S. Latham

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 05 Dec 1860, 12:00

The credentials were read; and the oath prescribed by law was administered to Mr. Baker, and he took his seat in the Senate.

Resolutions on a Convention to Address Slavery and the Secession Crisis

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Dec 1860, 12:00

Resolutions on a Convention to Address Slavery and the Secession Crisis

People: Joseph Lane

Report of the Senate Special Committee of Thirteen

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 31 Dec 1860, 12:00

Report of the Senate Special Committee of Thirteen

Message from the President: Threats to the Union

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 09 Jan 1861, 00:00

Message from the President: Threats to the Union

S. No. 537

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 14 Jan 1861, 00:00

S. No. 537

People: William Bigler

Credentials of Lot M. Morrill

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 17 Jan 1861, 12:00

Credentials of Lot M. Morrill

People: William P. Fessenden

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 17 Jan 1861, 12:00

Thee credentials were read; and the oath pre-scribed by law having been administered to Mr. Morrill, he took his seat in the Senate.

S. No. 54

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 24 Jan 1861, 12:00

S. No. 54

Message from the Senators of Louisiana

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 04 Feb 1861, 00:00

Message from the Senators of Louisiana

People: Henry Wilson

Resolution on the Admission of Commissioners to the Floor of the Senate

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 04 Feb 1861, 00:00

Resolution on the Admission of Commissioners to the Floor of the Senate

People: William Bigler

Message from the President: Peace and Resolutions from Kentucky

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 05 Feb 1861, 00:00

Message from the President: Peace and Resolutions from Kentucky

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 05 Feb 1861, 00:00

The message and accompanying resolutions were ordered to lie on the table.

H. Res. 64

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 28 Feb 1861, 12:00

H. Res. 64

S. No. 71

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 28 Feb 1861, 12:00

S. No. 71

People: Lyman Trumbull William H. Seward

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 28 Feb 1861, 12:00

The joint resolution (S. No. 71) concerning a national convention to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States, was read the first time by its title.

H. R. 1009

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 02 Mar 1861, 12:00

H. R. 1009

H. Res. 80

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Mar 1861, 07:00

H. Res. 80

S. 108

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 16 Dec 1861, 12:00

S. 108

People: Henry Wilson

Committee Report on the Expulsion of Jesse D. Bright

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 13 Jan 1862, 12:00

Committee Report on the Expulsion of Jesse D. Bright

S. 108

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 13 Feb 1862, 12:00

S. 108

S. 216

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 28 Feb 1862, 12:00

S. 216

People: Daniel Clark

S. 252

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 28 Mar 1862, 12:00

S. 252

People: Joseph A. Wright

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 28 Mar 1862, 12:00

BILL INTRODUCED. Mr. WRIGHT asked, and by unanimous consent obtained, leave to introduce a bill (S. No. 252) abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia; which was read twice by its title, ordered to lie on the table, and be printed.

The President's Annual Message

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 04 Dec 1860, 12:00

The President's Annual Message

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Dec 1860, 12:00

The resolution was adopted. [EDITOR'S NOTE: As a consequence of the adoption of the resolution, the President's message is referred. We decided to refer the entire message although it instructs a specific section by topic. We did this in order to...

Resolution to Instruct the Committee of Thirteen on the Slavery Question

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 13 Dec 1860, 12:00

Resolution to Instruct the Committee of Thirteen on the Slavery Question

People: Andrew Johnson

Appointment of the Committee of Thirteen

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 20 Dec 1860, 12:00

Appointment of the Committee of Thirteen

People: John C. Breckinridge

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 20 Dec 1860, 12:00

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The appointment was recieved.]

S. No. 54

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Jan 1861, 12:00

S. No. 54

People: John J. Crittenden

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 07 Jan 1861, 12:00

[EDITOR'S NOTE: S. No. 54 is subsequently taken up in the Committee of the Whole. It is referred here to enable the model.]

S. No. 54

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 11 Jan 1861, 12:00

S. No. 54

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 14 Jan 1861, 00:00

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the joint resolution (S. 54) proposing certain amendments to the Constitution of the United States; and,

S. No. 54

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 16 Jan 1861, 12:00

S. No. 54

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 16 Jan 1861, 12:00

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, resumed the consid-eration of the joint resolution (S. No. 54) pro- posing certain amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

S. No. 54

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Jan 1861, 12:00

S. No. 54

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Jan 1861, 12:00

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the joint resolution (S. 54) proposing certain amendments to the Constitution of the United States; and,

S. No. 54

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 21 Jan 1861, 12:00

S. No. 54

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 21 Jan 1861, 12:00

SLAVERY QUESTION. Mr. BIGLER. I desire to inquire what is the next special order? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The next business before the Senate is the joint resolution (S. No. 54) proposing certain amendments to the Constitution of the United States,...

S. No. 54

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 22 Jan 1861, 12:00

S. No. 54

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 22 Jan 1861, 12:00

The Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, resumed the consideration of the joint resolution (S. No. 54) proposing certain amendments to the Constitution of the United States; the pending question being on the amendment offered by Mr. Bigler to the...

S. No. 54

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 21 Feb 1861, 12:00

S. No. 54

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 21 Feb 1861, 12:00

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, resumed the consideration of the joint resolution (S. No. 54) proposing certain amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

S. No. 54

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 23 Feb 1861, 12:00

S. No. 54

Message from the President of the Peace Convention

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 27 Feb 1861, 12:00

Message from the President of the Peace Convention

Appointment of the Committee of Five

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 27 Feb 1861, 12:00

Appointment of the Committee of Five

People: John C. Breckinridge

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 27 Feb 1861, 12:00

The motion was agreed to; and Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Bigler, Mr. Thomson, Mr. Seward, and Mr. Trumbull, were appointed the committee.

S. No. 70

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 28 Feb 1861, 12:00

S. No. 70

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 01 Mar 1861, 12:00

The joint resolution (S. No. 70) proposing certain amendments to the Constitution of the United States, was read the second time, and considered as in Committee of the Whole. Mr. PUGH. Let the resolution be read, not the proposition itself, but the...

H. Res. 80

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 28 Feb 1861, 12:00

H. Res. 80

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 02 Mar 1861, 12:00

The VICE PRESIDENT. Objection being made, the joint resolution (H. R. No. 80) to amend the Constitution of the United States is before the Senate as in Committee of the Whole, and will be read. The Secretary read it, as follows: Resolved, That the...

Message from the Senate on the Passage of H. Res. 80

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Mar 1861, 07:00

Message from the Senate on the Passage of H. Res. 80

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Mar 1861, 07:00

[Editors' note: We have inferred the creation and referral of this document from its being reported in the House. The date of its creation and referral are unknown, but we have chosen to model it following the passage of the relevant document.]

Resolution Instructing the Committee on the District of Columbia to Consider the Expediency of Abolishing Slavery in D. C.

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 04 Dec 1861, 12:00

Resolution Instructing the Committee on the District of Columbia to Consider the Expediency of Abolishing Slavery in D. C.

People: Henry Wilson

Resolution Expelling Jesse D. Bright from His Seat in the Senate

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 16 Dec 1861, 12:00

Resolution Expelling Jesse D. Bright from His Seat in the Senate

People: Morton S. Wilkinson

Credentials of Benjamin Stark

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 06 Jan 1862, 12:00

Credentials of Benjamin Stark

People: James W. Nesmith

S. 210

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 24 Feb 1862, 12:00

S. 210

People: Henry Wilson

Message from the President of the United States: Recommending the Adoption of a Resolution to Cooperate with States That Adopt Gradual Abolition of Slavery

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 07 Mar 1862, 12:00

Message from the President of the United States: Recommending the Adoption of a Resolution to Cooperate with States That Adopt Gradual Abolition of Slavery

S. 108

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Apr 1862, 12:00

S. 108

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 03 Apr 1862, 12:00

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on the passage of the bill, upon which the yeas and nays nave been ordered. The Secretary proceeded to call the roll. Mr. KENNEDY, (when Mr. Pearce’s name was called.) I desire to say that my colleague is now at...

S. 108

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 14 Apr 1862, 12:00

S. 108

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 14 Apr 1862, 12:00

The President pro tempore signed the following enrolled bills, and they were delivered to the committee to be presented to the President of the United States: S. 108. An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District...

H. R. 374

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 12 May 1862, 12:00

H. R. 374

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 12 May 1862, 12:00

The bill (H. R. 374) to secure freedom to all persons within the Territories of the United States, was read the first and second times, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Territories.

H. R. 374

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 15 May 1862, 12:00

H. R. 374

H. R. 374

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 09 Jun 1862, 12:00

H. R. 374

S. 351

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 12 Jun 1862, 12:00

S. 351

People: Henry Wilson

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 12 Jun 1862, 12:00

BILLS INTRODUCED. … Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, asked, and by unanimous consent obtained, leave to introduce a bill (S. No. 351) supplementary to the act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia,...

H. R. 374

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Jun 1862, 12:00

H. R. 374

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 18 Jun 1862, 12:00

The Vice-President signed the enrolled bill (S. 241) yesterday reported to have been examined, and the two enrolled bills (H. R. 374 and H. R. 449) this day reported to have been examined, and they were delivered to the committee to be presented to the...

S. 351

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 24 Jun 1862, 12:00

S. 351

S. 351

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 07 Jul 1862, 12:00

S. 351

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 07 Jul 1862, 12:00

The yeas and nays were ordered; and being taken, resulted—yeas 29, nays 6; as follows: YEAS—Messrs. Anthony, Browning, Chandler, Clark, Collamer, Cowan, Doolittle, Fessenden, Foot, Foster, Grimes, Hale, Harlan, Harris, Henderson, Howe, King, Lane of...

S. 351

Creator event:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 11 Jul 1862, 12:00

S. 351

Last decision:

The Road to Civil War, Date: 11 Jul 1862, 12:00

The President pro tempore signed the eleven enrolled bills and the six enrolled joint resolutions this day reported to have been examined, and they were delivered to the committee to be presented to the President of the United States.