To pass S. 273 to pay owners, officers and crew of the private armed brig. General armstrong, destroyed in the port of fayal by a british squadron during the wa

On Feb 4, 1859, the Senate voted 23–11 (S 273). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 15–7, Republicans 7–5, Others 4–0. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 12 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: 23
No: 11
Did not vote: 35
Date: Feb 4, 1859

By party

Democrats15 yes · 7 no · 25 didn’t vote
Republicans7 yes · 5 no · 9 didn’t vote
Others4 yes · 0 no · 1 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

David Colbreth Broderick D-CA voted no
James Harlan R-IA voted no
Judah Philip Benjamin D-LA voted no
Hannibal Hamlin R-ME voted no
William Pitt Fessenden R-ME voted no
Jefferson Davis D-MS voted no
Thomas Lanier Clingman D-NC voted no
Benjamin Franklin Wade R-OH voted no
Andrew Johnson D-TN voted no
Matthias Ward D-TX voted no
Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter D-VA voted no
James Rood Doolittle R-WI 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 S. 273 to pay owners, officers and…: Senate Vote, Feb 4, 1859,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/35-S-534/to-pass-s-273-to-pay-owners-officers-and (accessed 2026-10-17).