The VICE PRESIDENT took an affectionate leave of the Senate, in substance
as follows:
“Mr. BURR began by saying, that he had intended to pass the day
with them, but the increase of a slight indisposition (sore
throat) had determined him then to take leave of them. He
touched lightly on some of the rules and orders of the House,
and recommended, in one or two points, alterations, of which he
briefly explained the reasons and principles.
“He said he was sensible he must at times have wounded the
feelings of individual members. He had ever avoided entering
into explanations at the time, because a moment of irritation
was not a moment for explanation; because his position (being
in the chair) rendered it impossible to enter into explanations
without obvious danger of consequences which might hazard the
dignity of the Senate, or prove disagreeable and injurious in
more than one point of view; that he had, therefore, preferred
to leave to their reflections his justification; that, on his
part, he had no injuries to complain of; if any had been done
or attempted, he was ignorant of the authors; and if he had
ever heard, he had forgotten, for, he thanked God, he had no
memory for injuries.
“He doubted not but that they had found occasion to observe,
that to be prompt was not therefore to be precipitate; and that
to act without delay was not always to act without reflection;
that error was often to be preferred to indecision; that his
errors, whatever they might have been, were those of rule and
principle, and not of caprice; that it could not be deemed
arrogance in him to say that, in his official conduct, he had
known no party, no cause, no friend; that if, in the opinion
of any, the discipline which had been established approached
to rigor, they would at least admit that it was uniform and
indiscriminate.
“He further remarked, that the ignorant and unthinking affected
to treat as unnecessary and fastidious a rigid attention
to rules and decorum; but he thought nothing trivial which
touched, however remotely, the dignity of that body; and he
appealed to their experience for the justice of this sentiment,
and urged them in language the most impressive, and in a manner
the most commanding, to avoid the smallest relaxation of the
habits which he had endeavored, to inculcate and establish.
“But he challenged their attention to considerations more
momentous than any which regarded merely their personal honor
and character--the preservation of law, of liberty, and the
constitution. This House, said he, is a sanctuary; a citadel
of law, of order, and of liberty; and it is here--it is here,
in this exalted refuge; here, if any where, will resistance be
made to the storms of political frenzy and the silent arts of
corruption; and if the constitution be destined ever to perish
by the sacrilegious hands of the demagogue or the usurper,
which God avert, its expiring agonies will be witnessed on this
floor.
“He then adverted to those affecting sentiments which attended
a final separation--a dissolution, perhaps for ever, of those
associations which he hoped had been mutually satisfactory. He
consoled himself, however, and them, with the reflection, that,
though they separated, they would be engaged in the common
cause of disseminating principles of freedom and social order.
He should always regard the proceedings of that body with
interest and with solicitude. He should feel for their honor
and the national honor so intimately connected with it, and
took his leave with expressions of personal respect, and with
prayers, and wishes,” &c.[16]
Whereupon, the Senate proceeded to the choice of a President _pro
tempore_, as the constitution provides; and the Honorable JOSEPH ANDERSON
was elected.
_Ordered_, That the Secretary wait on the President of the United States,
and acquaint him that, the VICE PRESIDENT being absent, the Senate have
elected the Honorable JOSEPH ANDERSON President of the Senate _pro
tempore_.
_Ordered_, That the Secretary notify the same to the House of
Representatives.
_Resolved unanimously_, That the thanks of the Senate be presented to
AARON BURR, in testimony of the impartiality, dignity, and ability, with
which he has presided over their deliberations, and of their entire
approbation of his conduct in discharge of the arduous and important
duties assigned him as President of the Senate.
_Ordered_, That Messrs. SMITH of Maryland, and WHITE, be a committee to
communicate to him this resolution.
SUNDAY, March 3.
_Reply of Vice President Burr to the Vote of Thanks._
Mr. SMITH of Maryland, from the committee appointed for that purpose,
reported that they had waited on the VICE PRESIDENT, agreeably to the
resolution of yesterday, to which he made the following reply:
_To the Senate of the United States_:
GENTLEMEN: Next to the satisfaction derived from the
consciousness of having discharged my duty, is that which
arises from the favorable opinion of those who have been the
constant witnesses of my official conduct; and the value of
this flattering mark of their esteem is greatly enhanced by the
promptitude and unanimity with which it is offered.
I pray you to accept my respectful acknowledgments, and the
assurance of my inviolable attachment to the interests and
dignity of the Senate.