UNITED STATES, _October 27, 1791_.
Mr. BURR reported, from the committee appointed to prepare an Address to
the President of the United States, in answer to his Speech to both.
Houses of Congress at the opening of the session.
_Ordered_, That to-morrow be assigned to take the report into
consideration.
FRIDAY, October 28.
Agreeably to the order of the day, the Senate proceeded to take into
consideration the Address reported by the committee, in answer to the
Speech of the President of the United States, on the 24th instant, to
both Houses of Congress; which report was agreed to, as follows:
_To the President of the United States:_
SIR: The Senate of the United States have received with the
highest satisfaction the assurances of public prosperity
contained in your Speech to both Houses. The multiplied
blessings of Providence have not escaped our notice, or
failed to excite our gratitude.
The benefits which flow from the restoration of public and
private confidence are conspicuous and important; and the
pleasure with which we contemplate them is heightened by
your assurance of those further communications which shall
confirm their existence and indicate their source.
While we rejoice in the success of those military
operations which have been directed against the hostile
Indians, we lament with you the necessity that has produced
them; and we participate the hope that the present prospect
of a general peace, on terms of moderation and justice, may
be wrought into complete and permanent effect; and that the
measures of Government may equally embrace the security of
our frontiers and the general interests of humanity. Our
solicitude to obtain which, will insure our zealous
attention to an object so warmly espoused by the principles
of benevolence, and so highly interesting to the honor and
welfare of the nation.
The several subjects which you have particularly
recommended, and those which remain of former sessions,
will engage our early consideration. We are encouraged to
prosecute them with alacrity and steadiness, by the belief
that they will interest no passion but that for the general
welfare; by the assurance of concert, and by a view of
those arduous and important arrangements which have been
already accomplished.
We observe, sir, the constancy and activity of your zeal
for the public good. The example will animate our efforts
to promote the happiness of our country.
_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 of the United States, and desire to be informed at what
time and place he will receive the same.
MONDAY, October 31.
JAMES MONROE, from the State of Virginia, attended, and took his seat.
MOSES ROBINSON, from the State of Vermont, produced his credentials, and
took his seat in the Senate.
Mr. BURR, from the committee appointed on the 28th to wait on the
President of the United States, reported, that it would be agreeable to
the President of the United States 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 on 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 28th instant, to which the PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES was pleased to make the following reply:
GENTLEMEN: This manifestation of your zeal for the honor
and the happiness of our country derives its full value
from the share which your deliberations have already had in
promoting both.
I thank you for the favorable sentiments with which you
view the part I have borne in the arduous trust committed
to the Government of the United States; and desire you to
be assured that all my zeal will continue to second those
further efforts for the public good which are ensured by
the spirit in which you are entering on the present
session.