_Ordered_, That the Secretary of Foreign Affairs attend the Senate
to-morrow, and bring with him such papers as are requisite to give full
information relative to the consular convention between France and the
United States.
WEDNESDAY, July 22.
The Senate were to-day mostly engaged in executive business. The
Secretary of Foreign Affairs attended, agreeably to order, and made the
necessary explanations; and the following resolution was entered
into.[5]
SATURDAY, July 25.
RUFUS KING, from New York, appeared, and took his seat.
MONDAY, July 27.
PHILIP SCHUYLER, from New York, appeared, and took his seat.
TUESDAY, July 28.
On motion, the Senators from the State of New York proceeded to draw
lots for their classes, in conformity to the resolve of the 14th of May;
and two lots, No. 3, and a blank, being, by the Secretary, rolled up and
put into the box, Mr. SCHUYLER drew blank; and Mr. KING having drawn No.
3, his seat shall accordingly be vacated in the Senate at the expiration
of the sixth year.
The Secretary proceeded to put two other lots into the box, marked Nos.
1 and 2; and Mr. SCHUYLER having drawn lot No. 1, his seat shall
accordingly be vacated in the Senate at the expiration of the second
year.
MONDAY, August 3.
The Senate entered on executive business. The President communicated to
them a list of about one hundred appointments as collectors, naval
officers, and surveyors. The Senate advised and consented to about
one-half the list; the rest lay till to-morrow.
TUESDAY, August 4.
A message from the House of Representatives brought up a bill for making
compensation to the President and Vice President of the United States,
and desired the concurrence of the Senate therein;
Together with the appointment of Messrs. WADSWORTH, CARROLL, and
HARTLEY, a committee, to join with a committee of the Senate to be
appointed for the purpose, "to consider of and report when it will be
convenient and proper that an adjournment of the present session of
Congress should take place; and to consider and report such business,
now before Congress, necessary to be finished before the adjournment,
and such as may be conveniently postponed to the next session; and,
also, to consider and report such matters, not now before Congress, but
which it will be necessary should be considered and determined by
Congress before an adjournment."
The Senate again entered on executive business, and advised and
confirmed all the remainder of the list of appointments presented
yesterday, one excepted.
FRIDAY, August 7.
The Senate, in the absence of the Vice President, proceeded to elect a
President _pro tempore_; and the votes being collected and counted, the
Honorable JOHN LANGDON was unanimously appointed.
A message from the President of the United States, by General Knox:
_Gentlemen of the Senate:_
The business which has hitherto been under the
consideration of Congress has been of so much importance,
that I was unwilling to draw their attention from it to any
other subject. But the disputes which exist between some of
the United States and several powerful tribes of Indians,
within the limits of the Union, and the hostilities which
have, in several instances, been committed on the
frontiers, seem to require the immediate interposition of
the General Government.
I have, therefore, directed the several statements and
papers which have been submitted to me on this subject, by
General Knox, to be laid before you for your information.
While the measures of Government ought to be calculated to
protect its citizens from all injury and violence, a due
regard should be extended to those Indian tribes whose
happiness, in the course of events, so materially depends
on the national justice and humanity of the United States.
If it should be the judgment of Congress that it would be
most expedient to terminate all differences in the southern
district, and to lay the foundation for future confidence,
by an amicable treaty with the Indian tribes in that
quarter, I think proper to suggest the consideration of the
expediency of instituting a temporary commission for that
purpose, to consist of three persons, whose authority
should expire with the occasion. How far such a measure,
unassisted by posts, would be competent to the
establishment and preservation of peace and tranquillity on
the frontiers, is also a matter which merits your serious
consideration.