UNITED STATES, _December 3, 1799_.
_Ordered_, That Messrs. ROSS, READ, and TRACY, 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.
_Ordered_, That the Speech of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, this
day communicated to both Houses of Congress, be printed for the use of
the Senate.
_Resolved_, That two Chaplains of different denominations, be appointed
to Congress for the present session, one by each House, who shall
interchange weekly.
The Senate proceeded to the appointment of a Chaplain to Congress on
their part, and the Right Reverend Bishop WHITE was unanimously elected.
THURSDAY, December 5.
JONATHAN DAYTON, appointed a Senator by the State of New Jersey, and RAY
GREENE, appointed a Senator by the State of Rhode Island, severally
produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats in the
Senate.
MONDAY, December 9.
ELIJAH PAINE, from the State of Vermont, attended.
The Senate proceeded to consider 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, was adopted, as follows:
_To the President of the United States:_
Accept, sir, the respectful acknowledgments of the Senate
of the United States, for your Speech delivered to both
Houses of Congress at the opening of the present session.
While we devoutly join you in offering our thanks to
Almighty God, for the return of health to our cities, and
for the general prosperity of the country, we cannot
refrain from lamenting that the arts and calumnies of
factious, designing men, have excited open rebellion a
second time in Pennsylvania; and thereby compelled the
employment of military force to aid the civil authority in
the execution of the laws. We rejoice that your vigilance,
energy, and well-timed exertions, have crushed so daring an
opposition, and prevented the spreading of such treasonable
combinations. The promptitude and zeal displayed by the
troops called to suppress this insurrection, deserve our
highest commendation and praise, and afford a pleasing
proof of the spirit and alacrity with which our
fellow-citizens are ready to maintain the authority of our
excellent Government.
Knowing, as we do, that the United States are sincerely
anxious for a fair and liberal execution of the Treaty of
Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, entered into with Great
Britain, we learn, with regret, that the progress of
adjustment has been interrupted, by a difference of opinion
among the commissioners. We hope, however, that the
justice, the moderation, and the obvious interests of both
parties, will lead to satisfactory explanations, and that
the business will then go forward to an amicable close of
all differences and demands between the two countries. We
are fully persuaded that the Legislature of the United
States will cheerfully enable you to realize your
assurances of performing, on our part, all engagements
under our treaties, with punctuality, and the most
scrupulous good faith.
When we reflect upon the uncertainty of the result of the
late mission to France, and upon the uncommon nature,
extent, and aspect, of the war now raging in Europe--which
affects materially our relations with the powers at war,
and which has changed the condition of their colonies in
our neighborhood--we are of opinion, with you, that it
would be neither wise nor safe to relax our measures of
defence, or to lessen any of our preparations to repel
aggression.
Our inquiries and attention shall be carefully directed to
the various other important subjects which you have
recommended to our consideration; and from our experience
of your past administration, we anticipate, with the
highest confidence, your strenuous co-operation in all
measures which have a tendency to promote and extend our
national interests and happiness.