UNITED STATES, January 8, 1790.
The President of the United States having retired, and the two Houses
being separated:
_Ordered_, That Messrs. KING, IZARD, and PATERSON, be a committee to
prepare and report the draft of an address to the President of the
United States, in answer to his speech delivered this day to both Houses
of Congress, in the Senate Chamber.
_Ordered_, That the speech of the President of the United States,
delivered this day, be printed for the use of the Senate.
The Senate adjourned to Monday next.
MONDAY, January 11.
Mr. KING, on behalf of the committee, reported an address to the
President of the United States, in answer to his speech to both Houses
of Congress, which being amended, was adopted as followeth:
_To the President of the United States._
SIR:--We, the Senate of the United States, return you our
thanks for your speech delivered to both Houses of
Congress. The accession of the State of North Carolina to
the Constitution of the United States gives us much
pleasure: and we offer you our congratulations on that
event, which at the same time adds strength to our Union,
and affords a proof that the more the constitution has been
considered, the more the goodness of it has appeared. The
information which we have received, that the measures of
the last session have been as satisfactory to our
constituents as we had reason to expect, from the
difficulty of the work in which we were engaged, will
afford us much consolation and encouragement in resuming
our deliberations, in the present session, for the public
good; and every exertion on our part shall be made to
realize and secure to our country those blessings which a
gracious Providence has placed within our reach. We are
persuaded that one of the most effectual means of
preserving peace is to be prepared for war; and our
attention shall be directed to the objects of common
defence, and to the adoption of such plans as shall appear
the most likely to prevent our dependence on other
countries for essential supplies. In the arrangements to be
made respecting the establishment of such troops as may be
deemed indispensable, we shall, with pleasure, provide for
the comfortable support of the officers and soldiers, with
a due regard to economy. We regret that the pacific
measures adopted by Government, with regard to certain
hostile tribes of Indians, have not been attended with the
beneficial effects towards the inhabitants of our Southern
and Western frontiers which we had reason to hope, and we
shall cheerfully co-operate in providing the most effectual
means for their protection, and, if necessary, for the
punishment of aggressors. The uniformity of the currency,
and of weights and measures; the introduction of new and
useful inventions from abroad, and the exertions of skill
and genius in producing them at home; the facilitating the
communication between the distant parts of our country, by
means of the Post-Office and post-roads; a provision for
the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and a
uniform rule of naturalization, by which foreigners may be
admitted to the rights of citizens, are objects which shall
receive such early attention as their respective importance
requires. Literature and Science are essential to the
preservation of a free constitution: the measures of
Government should, therefore, be calculated to strengthen
the confidence that is due to that important truth.
Agriculture, Commerce, and Manufactures, forming the basis
of the wealth and strength of our confederated Republic,
must be the frequent subject of our deliberation, and shall
be advanced by all proper means in our power. Public Credit
being an object of great importance, we shall cheerfully
co-operate in all proper measures for its support. Proper
attention shall be given to such papers and estimates as
you may be pleased to lay before us. Our cares and efforts
shall be directed to the welfare of our country; and we
have the most perfect dependence upon your co-operating
with us, on all occasions, in such measures as will insure
to our fellow-citizens the blessings which they have a
right to expect from a free, efficient, and equal
Government.
TUESDAY, January 12.
_Ordered_, That the Address to the President of the United States, in
answer to his speech, be presented by the Vice President, attended by
the Senate, and that the committee which reported the address wait on
the President, and desire to be informed at what time and place he will
receive the same.
Mr. KING, in behalf of the committee, reported that it would be
agreeable to the President to receive the address of the Senate, in
answer to his speech, on Thursday next, at 11 o'clock, at his own house.
WEDNESDAY, January 13.
JONATHAN ELMER, from New Jersey, attended.
BENJAMIN HAWKINS, from North Carolina, appeared, produced his
credentials, and took his seat.
The Vice President administered the oath to Mr. HAWKINS.
THURSDAY, January 14.
Agreeably to the order of the 12th instant, the Senate waited on the
President of the United States, at his own house, where the Vice
President, in their name, delivered to the President of the United
States the address agreed to on the 11th instant:
To which the President of the United States was pleased to make the
following reply:
_Gentlemen:_ I thank you for your address, and for the
assurances which it contains of attention to the several
matters suggested by me to your consideration.
Relying on the continuance of your exertions for the public
good, I anticipate for our country the salutary effects of
upright and prudent counsels.