30/38 Thereupon Mr.Stockton rose and asked to vote. No objection being interposed his vote was received. The result was then announced 22 _yeas_ to 21 _nays_, thereby confirming Mr.Stockton in his seat. Mr.Stockton, disclaiming any intention to reflect upon Mr.Morrill, intimated that he was under the obligation of a pair with Mr.William Wright (the absent colleague of Mr.Stockton) and therefore should not have voted. He was not only a gentleman of scrupulous integrity, but in this particular case he had taken counsel with his colleague, Mr.Fessenden, and with Mr.Sumner, safe mentors, and was advised by both that he had a clear right to vote. |