UNITED STATES, _November_ 23, 1797.
_Ordered_, That Messrs. STOCKTON, LAURANCE, and LIVERMORE, be a
committee to report the draft of an Address to the PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES, in answer to his Speech, this day, to both Houses of
Congress; and that the Speech be printed for the use of the Senate.
FRIDAY, November 24.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that
the House have agreed to so much of the resolution of the Senate, of the
22d instant, relative to the appointment of Chaplains, as is contained
in the words following, to wit:
"_Resolved_, That two Chaplains be appointed to Congress for the present
session, one by each House, who shall interchange weekly."
"The House have proceeded, by ballot, to the appointment of a Chaplain
on their part; and, upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes
of the whole House was found in favor of the Rev. ASHBEL GREEN."
SATURDAY, November 25.
Mr. STOCKTON, from the committee, reported the draft of 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; which was read.
On motion, that a number of copies be printed, under an injunction that
no more should be struck off than may be necessary for the use of the
Senate, it passed in the negative.
_Ordered_, That the Secretary furnish such Senators as request it, with
copies of this report.
MONDAY, November 27.
HENRY TAZEWELL, from the State of Virginia, attended.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee, of
the draft of an Address in answer to the Speech of the PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES, to both Houses of Congress, at the opening of the
session; which, being read in paragraphs, and amended, was adopted, as
follows:
_To the President of the United States_:
SIR: The communications you thought proper to make in your
Speech to both Houses of Congress on the opening of their
present session, afford additional proofs of the attention,
integrity, and firmness, which have always marked your
official character.
We cannot but approve of the measures you had taken to
ascertain the state and decline of the contagious sickness
which has so lately afflicted the city of Philadelphia, and
the pleasing circumstance that Congress is now assembled at
that place, without hazard to the health of its members,
evinces the propriety of your having postponed a
determination to convene the National Legislature at
another place. We shall take into consideration the law of
1794, on this subject, and will readily concur in any
amendment which may be deemed expedient.
It would have given us much pleasure to have received your
congratulations on the re-establishment of peace in Europe,
and the restoration of security to the persons and property
of our citizens from injustice and violence at sea. But,
though these events, so desirable to our country and the
world, have not taken place, yet we have abundant cause of
gratitude to the Great Disposer of human events for
interior tranquillity and personal security, for propitious
seasons, prosperous agriculture, productive fisheries, and
general improvement; and, above all, for a rational spirit
of civil and religious liberty, and a calm, but steady
determination to support our sovereignty against all open
and secret attacks.
We learn, with satisfaction, that our Envoys Extraordinary
to the French Republic had safely arrived in Europe, and
were proceeding to the scene of negotiation; and, whatever
may be the result of the mission, we are perfectly
satisfied that nothing on your part has been omitted, which
could, in any way, conduce to a successful conclusion of
the negotiation, upon terms compatible with the safety,
honor, and interest, of the United States; and we are fully
convinced that, in the mean time, a manifestation of that
unanimity and energy of which the people of the United
States have given such memorable proofs, and a proper
exertion of those resources of national defence, which we
possess, will essentially contribute to the preservation of
peace and the attainment of justice.
We think, sir, with you, that the commerce of the United
States is essential to the growth, comfort, and prosperity
of our country; and that the faith of society is pledged
for the preservation of the rights of commercial and
seafaring, no less than of other citizens. And even if our
negotiation with France should terminate favorably, and the
war in Europe cease, yet the state of society, which
unhappily prevails in so great a portion of the world, and
the experience of past times, under better circumstances,
unite in warning us that a commerce so extensive, and which
holds out so many temptations to lawless plunderers, can
never be safe without protection; and we hold ourselves
obliged, by every tie of duty which binds us to our
constituents, to promote and concur in such measures of
marine defence, as may convince our merchants and seamen
that their rights are not sacrificed, nor their injuries
forgotten.
We regret, that, notwithstanding the clear and explicit
terms of the treaty between the United States and His
Catholic Majesty, the Spanish garrisons are not yet
withdrawn from our territory, nor the running of the
boundary line commenced. The United States have been
faithful in the performance of their obligations to Spain,
and had reason to expect a compliance equally prompt on the
part of that power. We still, however, indulge the hope
that the convincing answers, which have been given to the
objections stated by the Spanish officers, to the immediate
execution of the treaty, will have their proper effect; and
that this treaty, so mutually beneficial to the contracting
parties, will be finally observed with good faith. We
therefore entirely approve of your determination to
continue in readiness to receive the posts, and to run the
line of partition between our territory and that of the
King of Spain.
Attempts to alienate the affections of the Indians; to form
them into a confederacy, and to excite them to actual
hostility against the United States, whether made by
foreign agents, or by others, are so injurious to our
citizens at large, and so inhuman with respect to our
citizens inhabiting the adjacent territory, as to deserve
the most exemplary punishment; and we will cheerfully
afford our aid in framing a law, which may prescribe a
punishment adequate to the commission of crimes so heinous.
The several objects you have pointed out to the attention
of the Legislature, whether they regard our internal or
external relations, shall receive from us that
consideration which they merit; and we will readily concur
in all such measures as may be necessary, either to enable
us to fulfil our engagements at home, or to cause ourselves
to be respected abroad. And, at this portentous period,
when the powers of Europe, with whom we are connected by
treaty or commerce, are in so critical a situation, and
when the conduct of some of those powers towards the United
States is so hostile and menacing, the several branches of
the Government are, in our opinion, called upon, with
peculiar importunity, to unite, and, by union, not only to
devise and carry those measures on which the safety and
prosperity of our country depend, but also to undeceive
those nations who, regarding us as a weak and divided
people, have pursued systems of aggression inconsistent
with a state of peace between independent nations. And, sir
we beg leave to assure you, that we derive a singular
consolation from the reflection that, at such a time, the
Executive part of our Government has been committed to your
hands, for, in your integrity, talents, and firmness, we
place the most entire confidence.