MONDAY, November 17, 1800.
In pursuance of the law of the last session, the second session of the
sixth Congress commenced this day, at the city of Washington, and the
Senate assembled, in their Chamber, at the Capitol.
Present:
JOHN LANGDON and SAMUEL LIVERMORE, from New Hampshire.
DWIGHT FOSTER, from Massachusetts.
JAMES HILLHOUSE and URIAH TRACY, from Connecticut.
THEODORE FOSTER, from Rhode Island.
NATHANIEL CHIPMAN, from Vermont.
JAMES SCHUREMAN, from New Jersey.
WILLIAM HILL WELLS, from Delaware.
JOHN E. HOWARD, from Maryland.
STEPHENS THOMPSON MASON, from Virginia.
JOHN BROWN, from Kentucky.
JOSEPH ANDERSON and WILLIAM COCKE, from Tennessee.
ABRAHAM BALDWIN, from Georgia.
The number of members present not being sufficient to constitute a
quorum, the Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.
TUESDAY, November 18.
The number of members present not being sufficient to constitute a
quorum, the Senate adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, November 19.
There being no quorum, the Senate adjourned.
THURSDAY, November 20.
There being no quorum present, the Senate adjourned.
FRIDAY, November 21.
TIMOTHY BLOODWORTH, from the State of North Carolina; HUMPHREY MARSHALL,
from the State of Kentucky; and GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, from the State of New
York, severally attended.
The credentials of DWIGHT FOSTER, appointed a Senator by the State of
Massachusetts, in place of Samuel Dexter, resigned, were read, and he
took his seat in the Senate.
The VICE PRESIDENT being absent, the Senate proceeded to the election of
a President, _pro tempore_, as the constitution provides, and JOHN E.
HOWARD was chosen.
The PRESIDENT administered the oath prescribed by law to Mr. FOSTER.
_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 E.
HOWARD, 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
E. HOWARD 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 they have appointed a committee on
their part, together with such committee as the Senate may appoint, 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 them.
_Resolved_, That the Senate concur in the resolution last recited, and
that Messrs. WELLS and TRACY be the committee on the part of the Senate.
Mr. WELLS reported, from the joint committee last mentioned, that they
had waited on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; and that he acquainted
the committee that he would meet the two Houses of Congress, at 12
o'clock to-morrow, in the Senate Chamber.
SATURDAY, November 22.
_Ordered_, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives, that
the Senate are ready to meet them in their Chamber, for the purpose of
receiving the communications from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
The House of Representatives having accordingly taken the seats assigned
them, the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES came into the Senate Chamber,
and addressed both Houses of Congress as follows:
_Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives_:
Immediately after the adjournment of Congress at their last
session in Philadelphia, I gave directions, in compliance
with the laws, for the removal of the public offices,
records, and property. These directions have been executed,
and the public officers have since resided and conducted
the ordinary business of the Government in this place.
I congratulate the people of the United States on the
assembling of Congress at the permanent seat of their
Government; and I congratulate you, gentlemen, on the
prospect of a residence not to be changed. Although there
is cause to apprehend that accommodations are not now so
complete as might be wished, yet there is great reason to
believe that this inconvenience will cease with the present
session.
It would be unbecoming the Representatives of this nation
to assemble, for the first time, in this solemn temple,
without looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe,
and imploring his blessing.
May this Territory be the residence of virtue and
happiness! In this city may that piety and virtue, that
wisdom and magnanimity, that constancy and self-government
which adorned the great character whose name it bears, be
for ever held in veneration! Here, and throughout our
country, may simple manners, pure morals, and true religion
flourish for ever!
It is with you, gentlemen, to consider whether the local
powers over the District of Columbia, vested by the
constitution in the Congress of the United States, shall be
immediately exercised. If, in your opinion, this important
trust ought now to be executed, you cannot fail, while
performing it, to take into view the future probable
situation of the Territory for the happiness of which you
are about to provide. You will consider it as the Capital
of a great nation, advancing, with unexampled rapidity, in
arts, in commerce, in wealth, and in population; and
possessing, within itself, those energies and resources
which, if not thrown away, or lamentably misdirected, will
secure to it a long course of prosperity and
self-government.
In compliance with a law of the last session of Congress,
the officers and soldiers of the temporary army have been
discharged. It affords real pleasure to recollect the
honorable testimony they gave of the patriotic motives
which brought them into the service of their country, by
the readiness and regularity with which they returned to
the station of private citizens.
It is, in every point of view, of such primary importance
to carry the laws into prompt and faithful execution, and
to render that part of the administration of justice which
the constitution and laws devolve on the federal courts, as
convenient to the people as may consist with their present
circumstances, that I cannot omit once more to recommend to
your serious consideration the judiciary system of the
United States. No subject is more interesting than this to
the public happiness, and to none can those improvements
which may have been suggested by experience be more
beneficially applied.
A Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the King of Prussia has
been concluded and ratified. The ratifications have been
exchanged, and I have directed the treaty to be promulgated
by proclamation.
The difficulties which suspended the execution of the sixth
article of our Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation,
with Great Britain, have not yet been removed. The
negotiation on this subject is still pending. As it must be
for the interest and honor of both nations to adjust this
difference with good faith, I indulge confidently the
expectation that the sincere endeavors of the Government of
the United States to bring it to an amicable termination
will not be disappointed.
The Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary from
the United States to France were received by the First
Consul with the respect due to their character; and three
persons with equal powers were appointed to treat with
them.[56] Although, at the date of the last official
intelligence, the negotiation had not terminated, yet it is
to be hoped that our efforts to effect an accommodation
will at length meet with a success proportioned to the
sincerity with which they have been so often repeated.
While our best endeavors for the preservation of harmony
with all nations will continue to be used, the experience
of the world, our own experience, admonish us of the
insecurity of trusting too confidently to their success. We
cannot, without committing a dangerous imprudence, abandon
those measures of self-protection which are adapted to our
situation, and to which, notwithstanding our pacific
policy, the violence and injustice of others may again
compel us to resort. While our vast extent of sea-coast,
the commercial and agricultural habits of our people, the
great capital they will continue to trust on the ocean,
suggest the system of defence which will be most beneficial
to ourselves, our distance from Europe, and our resources
for maritime strength, will enable us to employ it with
effect. Seasonable and systematic arrangements, so far as
our resources will justify, for a navy, adapted to
defensive war, and which may, in case of necessity, be
quickly brought into use, seem to be as much recommended by
a wise and true economy as by a just regard for our future
tranquillity, for the safety of our shores, and for the
protection of our property committed to the ocean.
The present Navy of the United States, called suddenly into
existence by a great national exigency, has raised us in
our own esteem; and, by the protection afforded to our
commerce, has effected, to the extent of our expectations,
the objects for which it was created.
In connection with a navy ought to be contemplated the
fortification of some of our principal seaports and
harbors. A variety of considerations, which will readily
suggest themselves, urge an attention to this measure of
precaution. To give security to our principal ports,
considerable sums have already been expended, but the works
remain incomplete. It is for Congress to determine whether
additional appropriations shall be made, in order to render
competent to the intended purposes the fortifications which
have been commenced.
The manufacture of arms within the United States still
invites the attention of the national Legislature. At a
considerable expense to the public this manufacture has
been brought to such a state of maturity as, with continued
encouragement, will supersede the necessity of future
importations from foreign countries.
_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:
I shall direct the estimates of the appropriations
necessary for the ensuing year, together with an account of
the public revenue and expenditure, to a late period, to be
laid before you. I observe, with much satisfaction, the
product of the revenue during the present year has been
more considerable than during any former equal period. This
result affords conclusive evidence of the great resources
of this country, and of the wisdom and efficiency of the
measures which have been adopted by Congress for the
protection of commerce and preservation of public credit.
_Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives_:
As one of the grand community of nations, our attention is
irresistibly drawn to the important scenes which surround
us. If they have exhibited an uncommon portion of calamity,
it is the province of humanity to deplore, and of wisdom to
avoid, the causes which may have produced it. If, turning
our eyes homeward, we find reason to rejoice at the
prospect which presents itself; if we perceive the interior
of our country prosperous, free, and happy; if all enjoy in
safety, under the protection of laws emanating only from
the general will, the fruits of their own labor, we ought
to fortify and cling to those institutions which have been
the source of such real felicity; and resist, with
unabating perseverance, the progress of those dangerous
innovations which may diminish their influence.
To your patriotism, gentlemen, has been confided the
honorable duty of guarding the public interests; and, while
the past is to your country a sure pledge that it will be
faithfully discharged, permit me to assure you that your
labors to promote the general happiness will receive from
me the most zealous co-operation.