Whereas the Constitution of the United States of America
provides that the President may, on extraordinary
occasions, convene both Houses of Congress; and whereas an
extraordinary occasion exists for convening Congress, and
divers weighty matters claim their consideration, I have
therefore thought it necessary to convene, and I do by
these presents convene the Congress of the United States of
America, at the City of Philadelphia, in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, on Monday the fifteenth day of May next,
hereby requiring the Senators and Representatives in the
Congress of the United States of America, and every of
them, that, laying aside all other matters and cares, they
then and there meet and assemble in Congress, in order to
consult and determine on such measures as in their wisdom
shall be deemed meet for the safety and welfare of the said
United States.
[Sidenote: [L. S.]]
In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United
States of America to be affixed to these presents, and
signed the same with my hand. Done at the City of
Philadelphia the twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, and
of the Independence of the United States of America the
twenty-first.