Andrew McCormick moved Lincoln’s amendment on March 1, 1839, during a debate in the House of Representatives on Senate Bill 211. On February 11, 1839, William Thomas introduced SB 211 in the Senate. On February 23, the Senate passed the bill without amendment. On February 28, the House amended the bill by striking out “12 percent” and inserting in lieu thereof “8 percent” in lines ten and eleven of the second section. The House referred the bill to a select committee. The select committee reported back the bill on March 1 with an amendment striking out the bill and inserting in lieu thereof a settlement of the accounts of the State House commissioners. The House tabled this amendment by a vote of 35 yeas to 25 nays, with Lincoln voting yea. The House amended the bill by adopting Lincoln’s amendment. The House further amended the bill by adding a third section. The House reconsidered its previous vote striking out “12 percent” and inserting in lieu thereof “8 percent,” rejecting the amendment. The House then passed the bill as amended. On March 2, the Senate approved the House amendments. That same day, the Council of Revision approved the bill, and the act became law.