[jo6pac]

It appears the relief for the widow PASSED, even though in the story it says:

"The bill was put upon its passage, and, instead of passing unanimously, as was generally supposed, and as, not doubt, it would but for that speech, it received but few votes, and of course was lost.

Unless that's a different widow. Are there Major General's in the Navy?

I think we've got the wrong widow in Mrs. Brown. He also voted against Stephen Decatur's widow. Feb 11,1831 debate)

The author seems to be combining the two incidents.

[Huck]

Cool. I was just looking into the Decatur debate, and I ran across this entry in the record, which, while unrelated, I imagine you fellers would appreciate:

Saturday, Feb. 12th
Soon after the House met, the eclipse of the sun created considerable gloom within the hall, (although far from being dark enough to require candles), an adjournment was moved by Mr. Dwight, and was carried--yeas 86, nays 77.

--Register of Debates, House of Representatives, 21th Congress, 2nd Session

[Huck]

More on Susan decatur here:

http://www.decaturhouse.org/pressroom/timeline.htm

[Huck]

Stephen Decatur here:

http://www.zweb.com/parpro/Decatur.html

[Huck]

He voted against relief for James Monroe on the 1st of Feb, too.