_Ordered_, That the letter and copies of the Eulogy be sent to the House
of Representatives.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that
they have, on their part, appointed the Rev. Dr. BLAIR one of the
Chaplains of the present Congress.
Mr. ELLSWORTH, from the committee appointed to prepare and report the
draft of an Address to the President of the United States, reported
accordingly; and, the report being amended, was adopted, as followeth:
_To the President of the United States of America._
We receive, sir, with particular satisfaction, the
communications contained in your speech, which confirm to
us the progressive state of the public credit, and afford,
at the same time, a new proof of the solidity of the
foundation on which it rests; and we cheerfully join in the
acknowledgment which is due to the probity and patriotism
of the mercantile and marine part of our fellow-citizens,
whose enlightened attachment to the principles of good
government is not less conspicuous in this than it has been
in other important respects.
In confidence that every constitutional preliminary has
been observed, we assure you of our disposition to concur,
in giving the requisite sanction to the admission of
Kentucky as a distinct member of the Union; in doing which,
we shall anticipate the happy effects to be expected from
the sentiments of attachment towards the Union, and its
present Government, which have been expressed by the
patriotic inhabitants of that district.
While we regret that the continuance and increase of the
hostilities and depredations which have distressed our
north-western frontiers, should have rendered offensive
measures necessary, we feel an entire confidence in the
sufficiency of the motives which have produced them, and in
the wisdom of the dispositions which have been concerted,
in pursuance of the powers vested in you; and, whatever may
have been the event, we shall cheerfully concur in the
provisions which the expedition, that has been undertaken,
may require on the part of the Legislature, and in any
other which the future peace and safety of our frontier
settlements may call for.
The critical posture of the European Powers will engage a
due portion of our attention, and we shall be ready to
adopt any measures which a prudent circumspection may
suggest, for the preservation of the blessings of peace.
The navigation and the fisheries of the United States are
objects too interesting not to inspire a disposition to
promote them, by all the means which shall appear to us
consistent with their natural progress and permanent
prosperity.
Impressed with the importance of a free intercourse with
the Mediterranean, we shall not think any deliberations
misemployed which may conduce to the adoption of proper
measures for removing the impediments that obstruct it.
The improvement of the Judiciary system, and the other
important objects to which you have pointed our attention,
will not fail to engage the consideration they respectively
merit.
In the course of our deliberations upon every subject we
shall rely upon that co-operation which an undiminished
zeal, and incessant anxiety for the public welfare, on your
part, so thoroughly ensure; and, as it is our anxious
desire, so it shall be our constant endeavor, to render the
established Government more and more instrumental in
promoting the good of our fellow-citizens, and more and
more the object of their attachment and confidence.
_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.
MONDAY, December 13.
WILLIAM S. JOHNSON, from Connecticut, and PHILIP SCHUYLER, from New
York, attended.
Mr. ELLSWORTH, from the committee appointed on the 10th, to wait on the
President of the United States, reported:
That it would be agreeable to the President to receive the Address of
the Senate, in answer to his Speech to both Houses of Congress, on
Monday next, at 12 o'clock.
Whereupon,
The Senate waited upon the President of the United States at his own
house, and the Vice President, in their name, communicated to him the
Address agreed to on the 10th instant; to which the President of the
United States was pleased to make the following reply:
GENTLEMEN: These assurances of favorable attention to the
subjects I have recommended, and of entire confidence in my
views, make the impression on me which I ought to feel. I
thank you for them both, and shall continue to rely much
for the success of all our measures for the public good, on
the aid they will receive from the wisdom and integrity of
your councils.