WASHINGTON, _November 4, 1812_.
The Message and documents were read, and twelve hundred and fifty
copies ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.
THURSDAY, November 12.
PHILIP REED, from the State of Maryland, took his seat in the Senate.
WEDNESDAY, November 18.
ALLAN B. MAGRUDER, appointed a senator by the Legislature of the State
of Louisiana, (and who arrived on the 15th,) produced his credentials,
was qualified, and then took his seat in the Senate.
WILLIAM HUNTER, from the State of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations, and JAMES LLOYD, from the State of Massachusetts,
severally took their seats in the Senate.
FRIDAY, November 20.
STEPHEN R. BRADLEY, from the State of Vermont, took his seat in the
Senate.
MONDAY, November 23.
JOHN POPE, from the State of Kentucky, took his seat in the Senate.
THURSDAY, November 26.
RICHARD BRENT, from the State of Virginia, attended; and there being no
quorum present the Senate adjourned.
FRIDAY, November 27.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion submitted the
24th instant, that they proceed to ascertain the classes in which
the Senators of the State of Louisiana should be inserted, as the
constitution and rule heretofore prescribe; and, having agreed thereto,
On motion by Mr. TAYLOR,
_Ordered_, That the Secretary roll up, and put into the ballot box,
two lots, No. 1 and No. 3; that the Senator for whom lot No. 1 shall
be drawn, shall be inserted in the class of Senators whose terms of
service expire on the third day of March next; and the Senator for whom
lot No. 3 shall be drawn, shall be inserted in the class of Senators
whose terms of service expire four years after the third day of March
next.
Whereupon, the numbers above mentioned were by the Secretary rolled up
and put into the box, and No. 1 was drawn for ALLAN B. MAGRUDER, who is
accordingly in the class of Senators whose terms of service will expire
on the third day of March next; and No. 3 was drawn for THOMAS POSEY,
who is accordingly in the class of Senators whose terms of service will
expire in four years after the third day of March next.
MONDAY, November 30.
GEORGE M. BIBB, from the State of Kentucky, arrived on the 29th, and
attended this day.
MONDAY, December 7.
THOMAS POSEY, appointed a Senator by the Governor of the State
of Louisiana in place of John Destrahan, resigned, produced his
credentials, was qualified, and then took his seat in the Senate.
WEDNESDAY, December 9.
_Encouragement to Privateers._
On motion by Mr. GILES,
_Resolved_, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the
expediency of offering encouragements at this time to all mariners and
seamen to bring within any of the ports of the United States British
public and private armed ships, as well as merchant ships or vessels,
belonging to the subjects of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland; and that the committee have leave to report by bill or
otherwise.
Messrs. GILES, LLOYD, SMITH of Maryland, TAIT, and TAYLOR, were
appointed the committee.
FRIDAY, December 11.
SAMUEL W. DANA, from the State of Connecticut, attended.
_Capture of the Macedonian and the Frolic._
The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES:
_To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States_:
I transmit to Congress copies of a letter to the Secretary of
the Navy, from Captain Decatur, of the frigate United States,
reporting his combat and capture of the British frigate
Macedonian. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on that officer
and his companions on board, for the consummate skill and
conspicuous valor by which this trophy has been added to the
naval arms of the United States.
I transmit, also, a letter from Captain Jones, who commanded
the sloop of war Wasp, reporting his capture of the British
sloop of war Frolic, after a close action, in which other
brilliant titles will be seen to the public admiration and
praise.
A nation, feeling what it owes to itself and to its citizens,
could never abandon to arbitrary violence, on the ocean, a
class of them which give such examples of capacity and courage,
in defending their rights on that element; examples which ought
to impress on the enemy, however brave and powerful, preference
of justice and peace, to hostility against a country, whose
prosperous career may be accelerated, but cannot be prevented
by the assaults made on it.