JOHN LANGDON and SAMUEL LIVERMORE, from New Hampshire.
THEODORE FOSTER and RAY GREENE, from Rhode Island.
WILLIAM BINGHAM, from Pennsylvania.
HUMPHREY MARSHALL, from Kentucky.
JACOB READ, from South Carolina.
JAMES GUNN, from Georgia.
DANIEL SMITH, appointed a Senator by the Executive of the State of
Tennessee, in the recess of that Legislature, in place of Andrew
Jackson, resigned, took his seat in the Senate.
The members present not being sufficient to form a quorum, the Senate
adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.
TUESDAY, December 4.
HENRY LATIMER, from the State of Delaware, attended.
The members present not being sufficient to form a quorum, adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, December 5.
BENJAMIN GOODHUE, from the State of Massachusetts; ELIJAH PAINE, and
NATHANIEL CHIPMAN, from the State of Vermont; JOHN LAURANCE, from the
State of New York; and TIMOTHY BLOODWORTH, from the State of North
Carolina, severally attended.
No quorum being present, the Senate adjourned.
THURSDAY, December 6.
RICHARD STOCKTON, from the State of New Jersey, and JOSEPH ANDERSON,
from the State of Tennessee, severally attended.
The VICE PRESIDENT being absent, the Senate proceeded to the election
of a President _pro tempore_, as the constitution provides, and JOHN
LAURANCE was chosen.
The credentials of DANIEL SMITH, appointed Senator by the Executive of
the State of Tennessee, in place of Andrew Jackson, resigned, were read,
and the oath was, by the PRESIDENT, administered to him, as the law
provides.
_Ordered_, That the Secretary wait on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES, and acquaint him that a quorum of the Senate is assembled, and
that, in the absence of the VICE PRESIDENT, they have elected JOHN
LAURANCE, President of the Senate _pro tempore_.
_Ordered_, That the Secretary acquaint the House of Representatives,
that a quorum of the Senate is assembled, and ready to proceed to
business, and that, in the absence of the VICE PRESIDENT, they have
elected JOHN LAURANCE, President of the Senate _pro tempore_.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that a
quorum of the House is assembled, and that they have appointed a joint
committee on their part, together with such committee as the Senate may
appoint on theirs, to wait on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and
notify him that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled, and ready to
receive any communications that he may be pleased to make to them.
The Senate took into consideration the message from the House of
Representatives, and
_Resolved_, That they do concur therein, and that Messrs. READ and PAINE
be of the joint committee on the part of the Senate.
The return of service on the summons to William Blount, made by the
Sergeant-at-arms, pursuant, to the resolution of the Senate of the first
of March last, was read.
Mr. READ reported, from the joint committee appointed for that purpose,
that they had waited on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and had
notified him that a quorum of the two Houses of Congress were assembled,
and the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES acquainted the committee that he
would meet the two Houses on Saturday next at 12 o'clock, in the
Chamber of the House of Representatives.
SATURDAY, December 8.
JAMES ROSS, from the State of Pennsylvania, attended.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that
they are now ready to meet the Senate, in the Chamber of that House, to
receive such communications as the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES shall
be pleased to make to them. Whereupon,
The Senate repaired to the Chamber of the House of Representatives, for
the purpose above expressed.
The Senate then returned to their own Chamber, and a copy of the Speech
of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, this day addressed to both Houses
of Congress, was read. [For which see proceedings in the House of
Representatives.]
_Ordered_, That Messrs. STOCKTON, READ, and ROSS, 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.
MONDAY, December 10.
URIAH TRACY, from the State of Connecticut, attended.
TUESDAY, December 11.
JAMES WATSON, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of New
York, in place of John S. Hobart, resigned, produced his credentials,
which were read, and the oath was, by the PRESIDENT, administered to
him, as the law provides.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on
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 Senate of the United States join you in thanks to
Almighty God for the removal of the late afflicting
dispensations of his Providence, and for the patriotic
spirit and general prosperity of our country. Sympathy for
the sufferings of our fellow-citizens from disease, and the
important interests of the Union, demand of the National
Legislature a ready co-operation with the State
Governments, in the use of such means as seem best
calculated to prevent the return of this fatal calamity.
Although we have sincerely wished that an adjustment of our
differences with the republic of France might be effected
on safe and honorable terms, yet the information you have
given us of the ultimate failure of the negotiations has
not surprised us. In the general conduct of that Republic,
we have seen a design of universal influence, incompatible
with the self-government, and destructive of the
independence of other States. In its conduct towards these
United States, we have seen a plan of hostility pursued
with unremitted constancy--equally disregarding the
obligations of treaties, and the rights of individuals. We
have seen two embassies formed for the purpose of mutual
explanations, and clothed with the most extensive and
liberal powers, dismissed without recognition and even
without a hearing. The government of France has not only
refused to repeal, but has recently enjoined the observance
of its former edict, respecting merchandise of British
fabric or produce, the property of neutrals, by which the
interruption of our lawful commerce, and the spoliation of
the property of our citizens, have again received a public
sanction. These facts indicate no change of system or
disposition--they speak a more intelligible language than
professions of solicitude to avoid a rupture, however
ardently made. But if, after the repeated proofs we have
given of a sincere desire for peace, these professions
should be accompanied by insinuations, implicating the
integrity with which it has been pursued--if, neglecting
and passing by the constitutional and authorized agents of
the Government, they are made through the medium of
individuals without public character or authority; and,
above all, if they carry with them a claim to prescribe the
political qualifications of the Minister of the United
States to be employed in the negotiation, they are not
entitled to attention or consideration, but ought to be
regarded as designed to separate the people from their
Government, and to bring about by intrigue that which open
force could not effect.
We are of opinion with you, sir, that there has nothing yet
been discovered in the conduct of France which can justify
a relaxation of the means of defence adopted during the
last session of Congress, the happy result of which is so
strongly and generally marked. If the force by sea and land
which the existing laws authorize should be judged
inadequate to the public defence, we will perform the
indispensable duty of bringing forward such other acts as
will effectually call forth the resources and force of our
country.
A steady adherence to this wise and manly policy--a proper
direction of the noble spirit of patriotism which has
arisen in our country, and which ought to be cherished and
invigorated by every branch of the Government, will secure
our liberty and independence against all open and secret
attacks.
We enter on the business of the present session with an
anxious solicitude for the public good, and shall bestow
that consideration on the several objects pointed out in
your communication, which they respectively merit.
Your long and important services--your talents and
firmness, so often displayed in the most trying times and
most critical situations--afford a sure pledge of a zealous
co-operation in every measure necessary to secure us
justice and respect.
JOHN LAURANCE,
_President of the Senate pro tempore_.
_Ordered_, That the committee who prepared the Address, wait on the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and desire him to acquaint the Senate at
what time and place it will be most convenient for him that it should be
presented.
Mr. STOCKTON reported, from the committee, that they had waited on the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and that he would receive the Address of
the Senate to-morrow, at 12 o'clock, at his own house. Whereupon,
_Resolved_, That the Senate will, to-morrow at 12 o'clock, wait on the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES accordingly.
WEDNESDAY, December 12.
Agreeably to the resolution of yesterday, the Senate waited on the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and the PRESIDENT of the Senate, in
their name, presented the Address then agreed on.
To which the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES made the following reply:
_To the Senate of the United States:_
GENTLEMEN: I thank you for this Address, so conformable to
the spirit of our constitution, and the established
character of the Senate of the United States, for wisdom,
honor, and virtue.
I have seen no real evidence of any change of system or
disposition in the French Republic towards the United
States. Although the officious interference of individuals,
without public character or authority, is not entitled to
any credit, yet it deserves to be considered, whether that
temerity and impertinence of individuals affecting to
interfere in public affairs, between France and the United
States, whether by their secret correspondence or
otherwise, and intended to impose upon the people, and
separate them from their Government, ought not to be
inquired into and corrected.
I thank you, gentlemen, for your assurances that you will
bestow that consideration on the several objects pointed
out in my communication, which they respectively merit.
If I have participated in that understanding, sincerity,
and constancy, which have been displayed by my
fellow-citizens and countrymen, in the most trying times,
and critical situations, and fulfilled my duties to them, I
am happy. The testimony of the Senate of the United States,
in my favor, is a high and honorable reward, which
receives, as it merits, my grateful acknowledgments. My
zealous co-operation in measures necessary to secure us
justice and consideration may be always depended on.