Mr. COBB [2] of Georgia, . . . moved that the message be referred to the Committee on the Territories, and that it be printed. . . .

Mr. LINCOLN next obtained the floor amongst many competitors, but he said he apprehended that there was a disposition on the part of the House that the discussion at this time, on this question, should not be longer protracted; he would announce to the House that he desired to make a general speech, and he further announced that if there was now a disposition to take the question now pending, he would give way for that purpose. [``No, no;'' ``go on.'']

Mr. VINTON [3] said he would suggest to the gentleman from Illinois whether it would not be as well to postpone this discussion to some other time. For himself he desired to say a few words about this message, and not on things in general; and he trusted before it was disposed of, that the attention of the House and of the country would be called to the positions of this message.

Mr. LINCOLN would say, that he hoped he should have the indulgence of the House, while he expressed his views at some future time; and now; for the accommodation of gentlemen, he would yield the floor.

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