To suspend the rules in order to introduce a bill to grant prospective preemption rights to actual settlers on public lands.

On Apr 6, 1840, the House voted 67–72. Result: failed. By party: Democrats 46–29, Others 21–43. 29 members voted against their own party.

During the 26th Congress (1839–1840), Martin Van Buren was president.

Yes: 67
No: 72
Did not vote: 116
Date: Apr 6, 1840

By party

Democrats46 yes · 29 no · 52 didn’t vote
Others21 yes · 43 no · 64 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

William Orlando Butler D-KY voted no
James Iver Mckay D-NC voted no
Micajah Thomas Hawkins D-NC voted no
William Montgomery D-NC voted no
Charles Fisher D-NC voted no
Gouverneur Kemble D-NY voted no
Nathaniel Jones D-NY voted no
John Fine D-NY voted no
Theron Rudd Strong D-NY voted no
George Sweeny D-OH voted no
David Austin Starkweather D-OH voted no
Henry Swearingen D-OH voted no
Lemuel Paynter D-PA voted no
Peter Newhard D-PA voted no
Albert Gallatin Marchand D-PA voted no
William Beatty D-PA voted no
John Galbraith D-PA voted no
James Rogers D-SC voted no
Thomas De Lage Sumter D-SC voted no
John King Griffin D-SC voted no
Joel Holleman D-VA voted no
John Winston Jones D-VA voted no
Linn Banks D-VA voted no
William Lucas D-VA voted no
Green Berry Samuels D-VA voted no
Andrew Beirne D-VA voted no
Joseph Johnson D-VA voted no
Lewis Steenrod D-VA voted no
John Smith D-VT 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 suspend the rules in order to introduce a…: House Vote, Apr 6, 1840,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/26-H-278/to-suspend-the-rules-in-order-to-introduce-a (accessed 2026-10-17).