UNITED STATES, _Nov. 22, 1800_.
The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES having retired, the two Houses
separated.
_Ordered_, That Messrs. TRACY, MORRIS, and BALDWIN, 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.
It was further ordered that the Speech be printed for the use of the
Senate.
MONDAY, November 24.
JONATHAN DAYTON, from the State of New Jersey, attended.
Mr. TRACY, from the committee appointed to draft 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, made a report, which was read,
and ordered to lie for consideration.
TUESDAY, November 25.
WILSON CARY NICHOLAS, from the State of Virginia, attended.
The Senate took into consideration 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: Impressed with the important truth that the hearts of
rulers and people are in the hand of the Almighty, the
Senate of the United States most cordially join in your
invocations for appropriate blessings upon the Government
and people of this Union.
We meet you, sir, and the other branch of the national
Legislature in the city which is honored by the name of our
late hero and sage, the illustrious WASHINGTON, with
sensations and emotions which exceed our power of
description.
While we congratulate ourselves on the convention of the
Legislature at the permanent seat of Government, and
ardently hope that permanence and stability may be
communicated as well to the Government itself as to its
seat, our minds are irresistibly led to deplore the death
of him who bore so honorable and efficient a part in the
establishment of both. Great indeed would have been our
gratification if his sum of earthly happiness had been
completed by seeing the Government thus peaceably convened
at this place; but we derive consolation from a belief that
the moment in which we were destined to experience the loss
we deplore, was fixed by that Being whose counsels cannot
err; and from a hope that, since in this seat of
Government, which bears his name, his earthly remains will
be deposited, the members of Congress, and all who inhabit
the city, with these memorials before them, will retain his
virtues in lively recollection, and make his patriotism,
morals, and piety, models for imitation. And permit us to
add, sir, that it is not among the least of our
consolations that you, who have been his companion and
friend from the dawning of our national existence, and
trained in the same school of exertion to effect our
independence, are still preserved by a gracious Providence
in health and activity to exercise the functions of Chief
Magistrate.
The question whether the legal powers over the District of
Columbia, vested by the constitution in the Congress of the
United States, shall be immediately exercised, is of great
importance, and in deliberating upon it, we shall naturally
be led to weigh the attending circumstances and every
probable consequence of the measures which may be proposed.
The several subjects for Legislative consideration,
contained in your Speech to both Houses of Congress, shall
receive from the Senate all the attention which they can
give, when contemplating those objects, both in respect to
their national importance, and the additional weight that
is given them by your recommendation.
We deprecate, with you, sir, all spirit of innovation, from
whatever quarter it may arise, which may impair the sacred
bond that connects the different parts of this empire; and
we trust, that, under the protection of Divine Providence,
the wisdom and virtue of the citizens of the United States
will deliver our national compact unimpaired to a grateful
posterity.
From past experience, it is impossible for the Senate of
the United States to doubt of your zealous co-operation
with the Legislature in every effort to promote the general
happiness and tranquillity of the Union.
Accept, sir, our warmest wishes for your health and
happiness.
JOHN E. HOWARD,
_President of the Senate, pro tempore_.
_Resolved_, That a committee be appointed to wait on the PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES, and desire him to acquaint the Senate at what time
and place it will be convenient for him that the Address of the Senate,
in answer to his Speech to both Houses of Congress at the opening of the
session, shall be presented; and that Messrs. TRACY, MORRIS, and
BALDWIN, be this committee.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the
House have resolved, that two Chaplains be appointed to Congress, for
the present session, one by each House, to interchange weekly; in which
they desire the concurrence of the Senate.