PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES In THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, November 13, 1797.
This being the day appointed by law for the meeting of Congress, the
House of Representatives assembled in their Chamber, and the following
members answered to their names, to wit:
_From New Hampshire._--ABIEL FOSTER.
_From Massachusetts._--STEPHEN BULLOCK, SAMUEL LYMAN, JOHN READ, WILLIAM
SHEPARD, GEORGE THATCHER, JOSEPH B. VARNUM, and PELEG WADSWORTH.
_From Connecticut._--JOHN ALLEN, JOSHUA COIT, ROGER GRISWOLD, and
NATHANIEL SMITH.
_From New York._--LUCAS ELMENDORPH, HENRY GLENN, JONATHAN N. HAVENS,
HEZEKIAH L. HOSMER, JOHN E. VAN ALLEN, and JOHN WILLIAMS.
_From New Jersey._--JONATHAN DAYTON, (Speaker,) and THOMAS SINNICKSON.
_From Pennsylvania._--JOHN CHAPMAN, ALBERT GALLATIN, THOMAS HARTLEY, and
JOHN SWANWICK.
_From Maryland._--GEORGE BAER, junior, WILLIAM CRAIK, GEORGE DENT, and
RICHARD SPRIGG, junior.
_From Virginia._--JOHN DAWSON, D. HOLMES, JAMES MACHIR, DANIEL MORGAN,
and ANTHONY NEW.
_North Carolina._--MATTHEW LOCKE, NATHANIEL MACON, and RICHARD STANFORD.
_South Carolina._--ROBERT GOODLOE HARPER, and JOHN RUTLEDGE, junior.
Several new members, to wit: ISAAC PARKER, from Massachusetts; THOMAS
TILLINGHAST, returned to serve as a member of this House, for the State
of Rhode Island, in the room of Elisha R. Potter, who has resigned his
seat; and WILLIAM EDMOND, returned to serve in this House, as a member
for Connecticut, in the room of James Davenport, deceased, appeared,
produced their credentials, and took their seats in the House.
But a quorum of the whole number not being present, the House adjourned
until to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock.
TUESDAY, November 14.
Several other members, to wit: from Massachusetts, HARRISON G. OTIS;
from Rhode Island, CHRISTOPHER G. CHAMPLIN; from Connecticut, SAMUEL W.
DANA and CHAUNCEY GOODRICH; from Vermont, MATTHEW LYON; from
Pennsylvania, BLAIR MCCLENACHAN and RICHARD THOMAS; from Delaware, JAMES
A. BAYARD; from Virginia, RICHARD BRENT; from North Carolina, ROBERT
WILLIAMS; from South Carolina, WILLIAM SMITH; and from Georgia, ABRAHAM
BALDWIN, appeared, and took their seats in the House.
But a quorum of the whole number not being present, the House adjourned
until to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock.
WEDNESDAY, November 15.
Several other members, to wit: from New Jersey, JAMES H. IMLAY; from
Pennsylvania, WILLIAM FINDLAY; and from Maryland, WILLIAM HINDMAN,
appeared, and took their seats in the House.
And a quorum, consisting of a majority of the whole number, being
present, the oath to support the Constitution of the United States was
administered, by Mr. SPEAKER, to the following new members, to wit:
ISAAC PARKER, THOMAS TILLINGHAST, and WILLIAM EDMOND, who took their
seats in the House on Monday last.
A message was then sent to the Senate, to inform them that a quorum of
the House is assembled, and were ready to proceed to business.
THURSDAY, November 16.
Several other members, to wit: from Vermont, LEWIS R. MORRIS; from New
York, JAMES COCHRAN, and EDWARD LIVINGSTON; from Virginia, MATTHEW CLAY,
THOMAS EVANS, WALTER JONES, ABRAM TRIGG, and JOHN TRIGG; and from North
Carolina, WILLIAM BARRY GROVE, appeared, and took their seats in the
House.
And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock.
FRIDAY, November 17.
Two other members, to wit: from New Jersey, MARK THOMSON; and from
Pennsylvania, JOHN A. HANNA, appeared, and took their seats in the
House.
MONDAY, November 20.
Several other members, to wit: from New Hampshire, JONATHAN FREEMAN and
WILLIAM GORDON; from New Jersey, JAMES SCHUREMAN; from Maryland, WILLIAM
MATTHEWS; and from Virginia, ABRAHAM VENABLE, appeared, and took their
seats in the House.
TUESDAY, November 21.
Several other members, to wit: from Massachusetts, DWIGHT FOSTER; from
New York, PHILIP VAN CORTLANDT; and from Virginia, CARTER B. HARRISON,
appeared, and took their seats in the House.
WEDNESDAY, November 22.
Two other members, to wit: from Pennsylvania, DAVID BARD, and SAMUEL
SITGREAVES, appeared and took their seats.
THURSDAY, November 23.
Two new members, to wit: WILLIAM C. C. CLAIBORNE, from the State of
Tennessee; and THOMAS PINCKNEY, returned to serve as a member of this
House for the State of South Carolina, in the room of William Smith,
appointed Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Court of
Lisbon, appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats in
the House; the oath to support the Constitution of the United States
being first administered to them by Mr. SPEAKER, according to law.
Two other members, to wit: from Virginia, THOMAS CLAIBORNE and JOHN
CLOPTON, appeared, and took their seats in the House.
_President's Speech._
The hour of twelve being near at hand, the SPEAKER announced it, and a
message was sent to the Senate to inform them that they were met, and
ready to receive the communications of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES, agreeably to his appointment.
The members of the Senate attended accordingly, and about a quarter
after twelve the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (after visiting the
Senate Chamber) entered the House, accompanied by his Secretary and the
Heads of Departments, and being seated, rose and delivered the following
Address. (See Senate proceedings, _ante_.)
Having concluded his Speech, and delivered copies of it to the PRESIDENT
_pro tem._ of the Senate, and to the SPEAKER of the House of
Representatives, the PRESIDENT retired, the SPEAKER resumed the chair,
and the House being come to order, he, as usual, read the Speech from
the chair. This being done, on motion, it was referred to a Committee of
the whole House, and made the order for to-morrow. It was ordered also
to be printed.
MONDAY, November 27.
A new member, to wit: BAILEY BARTLETT, returned to serve in this House
as a member for Massachusetts, in the place of Theophilus Bradbury, who
has resigned his seat, appeared, produced his credentials, and took his
seat in the House; the oath to support the Constitution of the United
States being first administered to him by Mr. SPEAKER, according to law.
Several other members, to wit: from Massachusetts, SAMUEL SEWALL; from
New York, DAVID BROOKS; from Maryland, JOHN DENNIS; from Virginia, JOHN
NICHOLAS and JOSIAH PARKER; and from North Carolina, THOMAS BLOUNT,
appeared and took their seats in the House.
_Address to the President._
Mr. OTIS, from the committee appointed to draft an Address in answer to
the Speech of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, reported the
following, which was twice read, and referred to a Committee of the
Whole for to-morrow:
SIR: While our sympathy is excited by the recent sufferings
of the citizens of Philadelphia, we participate in the
satisfaction which you are pleased to express, that the
duration of the late calamity was so limited, as to render
unnecessary the expense and inconvenience that would have
been incident to the convention of Congress in another
place: and we shall readily attend to every useful
amendment of the law which contemplates the event of
contagious sickness at the seat of Government.
In lamenting the increase of the injuries offered to the
persons and property of our citizens at sea, we gratefully
acknowledge the continuance of interior tranquillity, and
the attendant blessings of which you remind us, as
alleviations of these fatal effects of injustice and
violence.
Whatever may be the result of the mission to the French
Republic, your early and uniform attachment to the interest
of our country; your important services in the struggle for
its independence, and your unceasing exertions for its
welfare, afford no room to doubt of the sincerity of your
efforts to conduct the negotiation to a successful
conclusion, on such terms as may be compatible with the
safety, honor, and interest of the United States. We have
also a firm reliance upon the energy and unanimity of the
people of these States, in the assertion of their rights,
and on their determination to exert, upon all proper
occasions, their ample resources in providing for the
national defence.
The importance of commerce, and its beneficial influence
upon agriculture, arts, and manufactures, have been
verified in the growth and prosperity of our country. It is
essentially connected with the other great interests of
the community. They must flourish and decline together; and
while the extension of our navigation and trade naturally
excites the jealousy, and tempts the avarice of other
nations, we are firmly persuaded, that the numerous and
deserving class of citizens engaged in these pursuits, and
dependent on them for their subsistence, has a strong and
indisputable claim to our support and protection.
The delay of the Spanish officers to fulfil the treaty
existing with His Catholic Majesty is a source of deep
regret. We learn, however, with satisfaction, that you
still indulge hopes of removing the objections which have
been made to its execution, and that you have continued in
readiness to receive the posts. Disposed to perform, with
fidelity, our national engagements, we shall insist upon
the same justice from others which we exercise towards
them.
Our abhorrence cannot be too strongly expressed of the
intrigues of foreign agents to alienate the affections of
the Indian nations, and to rouse them to acts of hostility
against the United States. No means in our power should be
omitted of providing for the suppression of such cruel
practices, and for the adequate punishment of their
atrocious authors.
Upon the other interesting subjects noticed in your
Address, we shall bestow the requisite attention. To
preserve inviolate the public faith, by providing for the
due execution of our treaties; to indemnify those who may
have just claims to retribution upon the United States for
expenses incurred in defending the property and relieving
the necessities of our unfortunate fellow-citizens; to
guard against evasions of the laws intended to secure
advantages to the navigation of our own vessels; and
especially, to prevent, by all possible means, an
unnecessary accumulation of the public debt, are duties
which we shall endeavor to keep in view, and discharge with
assiduity.
We regard, with great anxiety, the singular and portentous
situation of the principal powers of Europe. It was to be
devoutly wished that the United States, remote from this
seat of war and discord; unambitious of conquest;
respecting the rights of other nations; and desirous,
merely, to avail themselves of their natural resources,
might be permitted to behold the scenes which desolate that
quarter of the globe with only those sympathetic emotions
which are natural to the lovers of peace and friends of the
human race. But we are led by events to associate with
these feelings a sense of the dangers which menace our
security and peace. We rely upon your assurances of a
zealous and hearty concurrence in such measures as may be
necessary to avert these dangers; and nothing on our part
shall be wanting to repel them, which the honor, safety,
and prosperity of our country may require.
TUESDAY, November 28.
SAMUEL SMITH, from Maryland, appeared and took his seat.
_Address to the President._
Mr. COIT moved for the order of the day on the reported Answer to the
PRESIDENT'S Speech.
The motion being agreed to, the House accordingly resolved itself into a
Committee of the Whole upon that subject, and the Address having been
read through by the Chairman, it was again read by paragraphs. The first
four were read, without any objection being offered to them. The fifth
being gone through,
Mr. PINCKNEY said, he had to propose a small alteration to this clause:
he wished to make the latter part of it a little less harsh. Instead of
saying, "we shall insist upon the same justice from others," &c., he
thought it would have the same effect, and the terms would be less
objectionable, if the passage ran thus: "Nothing shall be wanting on our
part to obtain the same justice from others," &c. The expression used,
he said, might be perfectly justifiable, but, if we could obtain what we
wished without the possibility of giving offence, he thought that mode
ought to be preferred. It was on this account that he wished the
phraseology to be changed.
Mr. RUTLEDGE said, as a member of the committee who reported the
Address, he did not feel tenacious as to the wording of it. At first, he
thought with his colleague, who proposed the amendment, that the word
_insist_ was rather harsh; but, upon a little reflection, his objections
to the phrase were removed. Indeed, he thought the proposed amendment
would make the passage stronger than it was in the original. They might
insist, he said, in argument; looking upon the treaty as a good one,
they might insist upon its execution; but if it were not to be effected
without going to war, they might afterwards relinquish it. The amendment
he thought more forcible. It said "nothing shall be wanting to obtain,"
&c.; which would be to say, we look upon the treaty as a good one, and
nothing shall be wanting on our part to obtain its fulfilment. The words
might even be considered to say, that we are determined to have the
treaty carried into effect, though war should be the price of the
determination.
Mr. DAYTON (the Speaker) approved of the amendment of the gentleman from
South Carolina, but not from the reasons which that gentleman had urged
in support of it, but for those which his colleague had produced against
it; not because it was more smooth, but because it contained more of
decision and firmness. He thought, in this respect, this country had
been trifled with, and any opinion expressed by them upon this subject
ought to be done with a firmness of tone.
The question on Mr. PINCKNEY'S amendment was put and carried, there
being sixty-two members in the affirmative.
The remainder of the Address was then gone through, without further
observation.
Mr. OTIS, from the committee appointed to wait upon the PRESIDENT, to
know when and where it would be convenient for him to receive the
Address in answer to his Speech, reported that they had attended to that
service, and that it would be convenient for him to receive it at his
house to-morrow at twelve o'clock.
WEDNESDAY, November 29.
_Address to the President._
Mr. LYON said, when the motion was proposed yesterday on the subject of
waiting upon the PRESIDENT, he should have opposed it, only that he did
not wish to deprive some gentlemen of the gratification of attending the
ceremony; and now he hoped those gentlemen would consent to gratify him
by agreeing to a similar resolution to that of last session, excusing
him from an attendance upon the occasion.
Mr. MACON observed, that whether the resolution was agreed to or not,
the gentleman might doubtless remain behind if he chose, as he had no
idea that the House could compel members to go about parading the
streets of Philadelphia. The gentleman might have conscientious
scruples, and if the ceremony were meant to be respectful to the
PRESIDENT, members should attend it freely, or not at all. He should
wish, therefore, that gentlemen disinclined to do the service, would not
join it.
Mr. OTIS hoped the motion would not prevail. He presumed no gentleman
there was particularly anxious for the society of the gentleman from
Vermont on this occasion. No doubt he would grace the procession, but it
would be sufficiently long without him, and if he chose to remain
behind, he need be under no apprehensions of being called to account for
his conduct. It was not becoming the dignity of the House to pass the
resolution in question. It appeared to him that the gentleman was in
full health and spirits, and every way fit for business; and as the
House had resolved the thing should be done, he had no idea of admitting
the protest of an individual upon their journals against the measure.
Mr. GALLATIN said he should be in favor of the previous question, but
not for the reasons assigned by the mover of it, but for those offered
by the gentleman from North Carolina, (Mr. MACON,) viz: because he did
not believe there existed any power in that House to compel any member
to wait upon the PRESIDENT with the Address; therefore it would be
improper to grant an indulgence to a member from doing what there was no
obligation upon him to do. He did not recollect the words of the
resolution which had been agreed to. [The SPEAKER repeated them. They
were, "that the SPEAKER, attended by the House of Representatives, shall
wait upon the PRESIDENT, &c."] This, Mr. G. said, must be understood in
a qualified sense, as the House of Representatives had no existence out
of those walls. When the SPEAKER presented the Address, the House was
not present; they could not debate nor do any act as a House. The
Address was, therefore, strictly speaking, presented by the SPEAKER,
followed by the members of the House of Representatives--as he did not
conceive the House had any power without the walls of the house. They
could, indeed, appoint committees to do business out of doors, but could
not call out the members as a body. Upon this ground he was, therefore,
in favor of the previous question.
Mr. LYON said, understanding the matter in the light in which it had
been placed by the gentleman from Pennsylvania, he would withdraw his
motion.
The SPEAKER announced the arrival of the hour which the PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES had appointed to receive the Address of the House in
answer to his Speech; and the SPEAKER, attended by the members,
accordingly waited upon the PRESIDENT, at his house, and presented to
him the Address: to which the PRESIDENT made the following reply:
_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:
I receive this Address from the House of Representatives of
the United States with peculiar interest.
Your approbation of the meeting of Congress in this city,
and of those other measures of the Executive authority of
Government communicated in my Address to both Houses, at
the opening of the session, afford me great satisfaction,
as the strongest desire of my heart is to give satisfaction
to the people and their representatives by a faithful
discharge of my duty.
The confidence you express in the sincerity of my
endeavors, and the unanimity of the people, does me much
honor, and gives me great joy.
I rejoice in that harmony which appears in the sentiments
of all the branches of the Government, on the importance of
our commerce and our obligations to defend it, as well as
in all other subjects recommended to your consideration,
and sincerely congratulate you and our fellow-citizens at
large on this appearance, so auspicious to the honor,
interest, and happiness of the nation.