The change of the resolution was one of form only; for, when the Senate came to select the members, they adhered to the plan originally suggested by Mr.Foote.

Mr.Clay was made chairman, which had been the design from the first, and then six senators were taken from the free States and six from the slave States,-- the first, if not the only, time this mode of appointment was adopted.

The membership of the committee was highly distinguished.
From the free States the Senate selected Mr.Webster, General Cass, Mr.Dickinson of New York, Mr.Bright of Indiana, Mr.Phelps of Vermont, and Mr.Cooper of Pennsylvania.

From the slave States, Mr.King of Alabama, Mr.Mason of Virginia, Mr.Downs of Louisiana, Mr.Mangum of North Carolina, Mr.Bell of Tennessee, and Mr.Berrien of Georgia.

The twelve were equally divided between the Whigs and the Democrats, so that, with Mr.Clay as chairman, the Whigs had the majority in numbers as they had the overwhelming superiority in weight and ability.