To amend amendment to the post office appropriation bill for 1862, H.R.971, (12 stat 204), consolidating the mail service from ST. Louis to memphis, to californ

On Feb 28, 1861, the Senate voted 21–19 (HR 971). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 7–13, Republicans 14–6. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 13 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: 21
No: 19
Did not vote: 30
Date: Feb 28, 1861

By party

Democrats7 yes · 13 no · 21 didn’t vote
Republicans14 yes · 6 no · 7 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Milton Slocum Latham D-CA voted yes
James Harlan R-IA voted no
Lyman Trumbull R-IL voted no
Stephen Arnold Douglas D-IL voted yes
Graham Newell Fitch D-IN voted yes
Lazarus Whitehead Powell D-KY voted yes
Zachariah Chandler R-MI voted no
Morton Smith Wilkinson R-MN voted no
Thomas Bragg D-NC voted yes
John Parker Hale R-NH voted no
Benjamin Franklin Wade R-OH voted no
William Bigler D-PA voted yes
Andrew Johnson D-TN 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 amend amendment to the post office…: Senate Vote, Feb 28, 1861,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-S-575/to-amend-amendment-to-the-post-office-appropriation-bill (accessed 2026-10-17).