OF SUCH PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TWELFTH CONGRESS, AS
DURING THE TIME THEY WERE DEPENDING, WERE ORDERED TO BE KEPT SECRET,
AND RESPECTING WHICH THE INJUNCTION OF SECRECY WAS AFTERWARDS REMOVED
BY ORDER OF THE HOUSE.
WEDNESDAY, April 1, 1812.
A _confidential_ Message was received from the President of the United
States, by Mr. COLES, his Secretary; which he delivered in at the
Speaker's table: Whereupon, the House was cleared of all persons except
the Members, Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Doorkeeper, and the doors
were closed.
The Message was then read at the Clerk's table, and is as follows:
_To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States_:
Considering it as expedient, under existing circumstances and
prospects, that a general embargo be laid on all vessels now in
port, or hereafter arriving, for the period of sixty days, I
recommend the immediate passage of a law to that effect.