rate on such communications as shall be made to you. M. VAN BUREN. WASHINGTON, Jany. 6, 1841. Journal of the Senate, 1841. } Vice President Johnson said, "yesterday, I intimated that I should, some time during the session of this day, feel it my duty to retire from my seat, for the purpose of giving the Senate an opportunity of selecting a presiding officer, for the convenience of organization on the 4th of March." In conformity with the above summons, the Senate assembled in their chamber, in the city of Washington. The Vice President was duly qualified, and presided, when the President of the United States, Ex-President, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Heads of Departments, and Foreign Ministers having entered the senate chamber, whereupon the Senate proceeded with them to the eastern portico, where the President of the United States delivered his address, and took his oath of office prescribed by the Constitution of the United States. When the Senate elects a president pro tempore, notice of the election is sent to the House of Representatives, and also to the President of the United States. RULES FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. 1. The president having taken the chair, and a quorum being present, the journal of the preceding day shall be read, to the end that any mistake may be corrected that shall be made in the entries. 2. No member shall speak to another, or otherwise interrupt the business of the Senate, or read any newspaper, while the journals or public papers are reading, or when any member is speaking in any debate. 3. Every member, when he speaks, shall address the chair, standing in his plące, and when he has finished shall sit down. 4. No member shall speak more than twice, in any one debate, on the same day, without leave of the senate. 5. When two members rise at the same time, the president shall name the person to speak; but in all cases the member who shall first rise and address the chair, shall speak first. 6. When a member shall be called to order, by the president, or a senator, he shall sit down; and every question out of order shall be decided by the president without debate, subject to an appeal to the senate; and the president may call for the sense of the senate on any question of order. 7. If the member be called to order by a senator, for words spoken, the exceptionable words shall immediately be taken down in writing, that the president may be better enabled to judge of the matter. 8. No member shall absent himself from the service of the senate, without leave of the senate first obtained. And in case a less number than a quorum of the Senate shall convene, they are hereby authorised to send the serjeant-at-arms, or any other person or persons by them authorised, for any or all absent members, as the majority of such members present shall agree, at the expense of such absent members respectively, unless such excuse for non-attendance shall be made, as the senate, when a quorum is convened, shall judge sufficient; and in that case, the expense shall be paid out of the contingent fund. And this rule shall apply as well to the first convention of the senate at the legal time of meeting, as to each day of the session, after the hour has arrived to which the senate stood adjourned. 9. No motion shall be debated until the same shall be seconded. 10. When a motion shall be made and seconded, it shall be reduced to writing, if desired by the president, or any member, delivered in at the table, and read, before the same shall be debated. 11. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received but to adjourn, to lie on the table, to postpone indefinitely, to postpone to a day certain, to commit, or to amend; which several motions shall have precedence in the order they stand arranged, and the motion for adjournment shall always be in order, and be decided without debate. 12. If the question in debate contain several points, any member may have the same divided; but on a motion to strike out and insert, it shall not be in order to move for a division of the question; but the rejection of a motion to strike out and insert one proposition shall not prevent a motion to strike out and insert a different proposition; nor prevent a subsequent motion, simply to strike out; nor shall the rejection of a motion simply to strike out prevent a subsequent motion to strike out and insert. 13. In filling up blanks, the largest sum and longest time shall be first put. 14. When the reading of a paper is called for, and the same is objected to by any member, it shall be determined by a vote of the senate, and without debate. 15. The unfinished business in which the senate was engaged at the last preceding adjournment, shall have the preference in the special orders of the day. 16. When the yeas and nays shall be called for by one-fifth of the members present, each member called upon shall, unless for special reason he be excused by the senate, declare openly, and with`out debate, his assent or dissent to the question. In taking the yeas and nays, and upon the call of the house, the names of the members shall be taken alphabetically. 17. When the yeas and nays shall be taken upon any question, in pursuance of the above rule, no member shall be permitted, under any circumstances whatever, to vote after the decision is announced from the chair. 18. On a motion made and seconded to shut the doors of the senate, on the discussion of any business which may, in the opinion of a member, require secrecy, the president shall direct the gallery to be cleared; and, during the discussion of such motion, the doors shall remain shut. 19. No motion shall be deemed in order, to admit any person or persons whatsoever within the doors of the senate chamber, to present any petition, memorial, or address, or to hear any such read. 20. When a question has been once made and carried in the affirmative or negative, it shall be in order for any member of the majority to move for the re-consideration thereof: but no motion for the re-consideration of any vote shall be in order after a bill, resolution, message, report, amendment, or motion, upon which the vote was taken, shall have gone out of the possession of the Senate, announcing their decision; nor shall any motion for re-consideration be in order, unless made on the same day on which the vote was taken, or within the two next days of actual session of the Senate thereafter. 21. When the Senate are equally divided, the secretary shall take the decision of the president. 22. All questions shall be put by the president of the Senate, either in the presence or absence of the President of the United States; and the senators shall signify their assent or dissent, by answering aye or no. 23. The Vice President, or president of the Senate pro tempore, shall have the right to name a member to perform the duties of the chair; but |