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PROCEEDINGS

OF

THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,

AT THE FIRST SESSION OF THE SIXTH CONGRESS, BEGUN AT THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, DECEMBER 2, 1799.

MONDAY, December 2, 1799.

The first session of the sixth Congress, conformably to the Constitution, commenced this day, and the Senate assembled, in their Chamber, at the city of Philadelphia.

PRESENT:

JOHN LANGDON, from New Hampshire; BENJAMIN GOODHUE, from Massachusetts; THEODORE FOSTER, from Rhode Island; JAMES HILLHOUSE and URIAH TRACY, from Connecticut ;

JOHN LAURANCE and JAMES WATSON, from New York;

WILLIAM BINGHAM, from Pennsylvania;
HUMPHREY MARSHALL, from Kentucky;
JACOB READ, from South Carolina;
JAMES GUNN, from Georgia.

JOSEPH ANDERSON, appointed a Senator by the State of Tennessee, for the remainder of the term for which their late Senator, Andrew Jackson, was appointed; ABRAHAM BALDWIN, appointed a Senator by the State of Georgia; JOHN BROWN, appointed a Senator by the State of Kentucky; SAMUEL DEXTER, appointed a Senator by the State of Massachusetts; SAMUEL LIVERMORE, appointed a Senator by the State of New Hampshire; and WILLIAM HILL WELLS, appointed a Senator by the State of Delaware; severally produced their credentials, and took their seats in the Senate.

The VICE PRESIDENT being absent, the Senate proceeded to the election of a President pro tempore, as the Constitution provides, and SAMUEL LIVERMORE was chosen.

Ordered, That Mr. READ administer the oath required by law to the President of the Senate pro tempore.

The PRESIDENT administered the oath, as the law prescribes, to Messrs. ANDERSON, BALDWIN, BROWN, DEXTER, and WELLS.

Ordered, That the Secretary wait upon 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 SAMUEL LIVERMORE 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 SAMUEL LIVERMORE President of the Senate pro tempore.

Resolved, That each Senator be supplied, during the present session, with three such newspapers, printed in any of the States, as he may choose, provided, that the same be furnished at the rate usual for the annual charge of such papers.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that a quorum of the House is assembled, and have elected THEODORE SEDGWICK their Speaker.

Ordered, That Messrs. READ and BINGHAM be a committee on the part of the Senate, together with such committee as the House of Representatives may appoint on their part, 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 to them.

The PRESIDENT communicated a letter signed John Trumbull, presenting to the Senate of the United States impressions of two prints of the American Revolution, which he had lately caused to be published; and the letter was read. Ordered, That it lie on the table.

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

TUESDAY, December 3.

WILLIAM COCKE, appointed a Senator by the State of Tennessee, and JAMES SCHUREMAN, appointed a Senator by the State of New Jersey, in the room of John Rutherfurd, resigned, severally produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats in the Senate.

HENRY LATIMER, from the State of Delaware, and JAMES Ross, from the State of Pennsylvania, severally attended.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that a quorum of the House is assembled, and have appointed a joint committee on their part, together with such committee as the Senate may appoint on theirs, 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 to them.

Mr. READ reported from the joint committee

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appointed for the purpose, that they had waited on the President of the United States, and had notified him that a quorum of the two Houses of Congress were assembled; and that the President of the United States acquainted the committee, that he would meet the two Houses, this day, at 12 o'clock, in the Chamber of the House of Representatives.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House are now ready to meet the Senate, in the Chamber of that House, to receive such communications as the President of the United States shall be pleased to make to them.

Whereupon the Senate repaired to the Chamber of the House of Representatives, for the purpose above expressed.

DECEMBER, 1799.

The Message and papers therein referred to were read.

Ordered, That they lie for consideration, and that the Message and papers be printed for the use of the Senate.

Mr. ANDERSON presented the petition of Samuel Glass and others, praying compensation for a number of horses, stated to have been stolen from them by certain Indians on the frontiers; which was read, and referred to Messrs. ANDERSON, HILLHOUSE, and GOODHUE, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

FRIDAY, December 6.

Mr. DEXTER notified the Senate, that he should, on Monday next, ask leave to bring in a bill to reThe Senate then returned to their own Cham-vive the act, entitled, "An act for the relief of perber, and a copy of the Speech of the President sons imprisoned for debt." of the United States, this day addressed to both Houses of Congress, was read. (For which, see House Proceedings, post.)

Ordered, That Messrs. Ross, READ, and TRAcy, be a committee to report the draught of an Address to the President of the United States, in answer to his Speech this day to both Houses.

Ordered, That the Speech of the President of the United States, this day communicated to both Houses of Congress, be printed for the use of the Senate.

Resolved, That two Chaplains of different denominations, be appointed to Congress for the present session, one by each House, who shall interchange weekly.

The Senate proceeded to the appointment of a Chaplain to Congress on their part, and the Right Reverend Bishop WHITE was unanimously elected.

WEDNESDAY, December 4.

Mr. Ross, from the committee appointed to draught an Address, in answer to the Speech of the President of the United States, to the two Houses of Congress at the opening of the session, made a report; which was read. Ordered, That it lie for consideration.

MONDAY, December 9.

ELIJAH PAINE, from the State of Vermont, attended.

The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a letter from Samuel Meredith, Treasurer, together with his Specie, War, and Navy accounts, ending the 31st of December, 1798, March 31st, and June 30th, 1799, and Navy and War accounts to September 30th, 1799; which were read.

Ordered, That they lie on file.

Agreeably to notice given, Mr. DEXTER had leave to bring in a bill to revive the act, entitled, "An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for

The Senate assembled, but transacted no busi- debt," which was read; and, by unanimous con

ness.

THURSDAY, December 5. JONATHAN DAYTON, appointed a Senator by the State of New Jersey, and RAY GREENE, appointed a Senator by the State of Rhode Island, severally produced their credentials, were qualified, and

took their seats in the Senate.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House concur in the resolution for the appointment of Chaplains, and have elected the Rev. Doctor ASHBEL GREEN a Chaplain to Congress on their part.

The following Message was received from the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
Gentlemen of the Senate, and

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives :

I transmit to Congress certain documents which have relation to the communications made on Tuesday, on the subjects of the insurrection in Pennsylvania, the renewal of commerce with St. Domingo, and the mission to the French Republic. JOHN ADAMS.

UNITED STATES, December 5, 1799.

sent, the bill was read the second time.

Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. DEXTER, LAURANCE, and TRACY, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

the committee of the draught of an Address in The Senate proceeded to consider the report of United States to both Houses of Congress, at the answer to the Speech of the President of the opening of the session; which, being read in paragraphs, was adopted, as follows:

To the President of the United States:

Accept, Sir, the respectful acknowledgments of the Senate of the United States for your Speech delivered to both Houses of Congress at the opening of the pres

ent session.

While we devoutly join you in offering our thanks to Almighty God, for the return of health to our cities, and for the general prosperity of the country, we cannot refrain from lamenting that the arts and calumnies of factious, designing men have excited open rebellion a second time in Pennsylvania; and thereby compelled the employment of military force to aid the civil authority in the execution of the laws. We rejoice that your vigilance, energy, and well-timed exertions, have crushed so daring an opposition, and prevented the spreading

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of such treasonable combinations. The promptitude and zeal displayed by the troops called to suppress this insurrection deserve our highest commendation and praise, and afford a pleasing proof of the spirit and alacrity with which our fellow-citizens are ready to maintain the authority of our excellent Government.

Knowing, as we do, that the United States are sincerely anxious for a fair and liberal execution of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, entered into with Great Britain, we learn, with regret, that the progress of adjustment has been interrupted, by a difference of opinion among the commissioners. hope, however, that the justice, the moderation, and the obvious interests of both parties, will lead to satisfactory explanations, and that the business will then go forward

We

to an amicable close of all differences and demands between the two countries. We are fully persuaded that the Legislature of the United States will cheerfully enable you to realize your assurances of performing, on our part, all engagements under our treaties, with punctuality, and the most scrupulous good faith.

When we reflect upon the uncertainty of the result of the late mission to France, and upon the uncommon nature, extent, and aspect, of the war now raging in Europe-which affects materially our relations with the Powers at war, and which has changed the condition of their colonies in our neighborhood-we are of opinion, with you, that it would be neither wise nor safe to relax our measures of defence, or to lessen any of our preparations to repel aggression.

Our inquiries and attention shall be carefully directed to the various other important subjects which you have recommended to our consideration; and from our experience of your past administration, we anticipate, with the highest confidence, your strenuous co-operation in all measures which have a tendency to promote and extend our national interests and happiness.

SAMUEL LIVERMORE,

President of the Senate, pro tempore. Ordered, That the committee who prepared the Address wait on the President of the United States, and desire him to acquaint the Senate at what time and place it will be most convenient for him that it should be presented.

Mr. Ross reported, from the committee, that they had waited on the President of the United States, and that he would receive the Address of the Senate to-morrow at 12 o'clock, at his own house.

Whereupon, Resolved, That the Senate will, tomorrow, at 12 o'clock, wait on the President of the United States accordingly.

SENATE.

success and satisfaction in your deliberations on the means which have a tendency to promote and extend our na tional interests and happiness; and I assure you that, in all your measures directed to those great objects, you may, at all times, rely with the highest confidence on my cordial co-operation.

The praise of the Senate, so judiciously conferred on the promptitude and zeal of the troops, called to suppress the insurrection, as it falls from so high authority, must make a deep impression, both as a terror to the disobedient, and an encouragement of such as do well. JOHN ADAMS.

UNITED STATES, December 10, 1799. The Senate returned to their own Chamber, and proceeded to the consideration of Executive busi

ness.

WEDNESDAY, December 11.

NATHANIEL CHIPMAN, from the State of Vermont, attended.

The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a report from the Commisioners of the Sinking Fund; which was read.

Ordered, That it be printed for the use of the Senate.

from the Secretary for the Department of State, The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a report in pursuance of the "Act to revive and continue in force certain parts of the Act for the relief and protection of American seamen,' and to amend the same," with abstracts of all the returns, made by the collectors of the different ports, of registered seamen, and of impressed seamen; together with a report, exhibiting abstracts of the communications received from the agents employed by virtue of that act; which were read.

Ordered That they be printed for the use of the Senate.

Agreeably to notice given, Mr. Ross obtained leave to bring in a bill for reviving and continuing suits and proceedings in the Circuit Court for the District of Pennsylvania; and the bill was read; and, by unanimous consent, it was read the second time and referred to Messrs. Ross, CHIPMAN, and DEXTER, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

Ordered, That the report of the Secretary for the Department of State, respecting impressed seamen, together with the papers therein referred to, be committed to Messrs. READ, GOODRUE, and BINGHAM, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

Mr. DEXTER from the committee to whom was referred the bill, to revive the act entitled "An

Mr. Ross notified the Senate that he should tomorrow ask leave to bring in a bill to revive certain suits and process in the Circuit Court for the district of Pennsylvania, which have been discon-act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt," tinued.

TUESDAY, December 10.

Agreeably to the resolution of yesterday, the Senate waited on the President of the United States, and the President of the Senate, in their name, presented the Address then agreed to.

To which the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES made the following reply:

Gentlemen of the Senate:

reported amendments, which were read and adopted; and the bill being further amended, Ordered, That it pass to a third reading.

THURSDAY, December 12.

JAMES LLOYD, from the State of Maryland, attended.

The bill to revive the act, entitled "An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt," was read the third time and passed.

I thank you for this Address. I wish you all possible Mr. GREENE presented the petition of Joseph

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nate.

Mr. DEXTER presented the petitions of Michael Jackson and others, on the subject last mentioned, which were referred to the same committee, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

On motion, by Mr. HILLHOUSE, that a committee be appointed to revise the law, entitled "An act to prohibit the carrying on the slave trade from the United States to any foreign place or country," and to make such amendments or alterations as shall be found necessary more effectually to prevent the carrying on such trade, it was agreed that this motion lie until to-morrow for consideration. Ordered, That the letter signed John Trumbull, communicated on the 2d inst., be referred to Messrs. TRACY, LAURANCE, and WATSON, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

DECEMBER, 1799.

Mr. MARSHALL, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of Margaret Lapsley, made report; which was read. Ordered, That it lie for consideration.

TUESDAY, December 17.

Ordered, That Mr. WELLS be of the Joint Committee for Enrolled bills on the part of the Senate. The Senate took into consideration the report of the committee on the petition of Margaret Lapsley, and agreed thereto.

Mr. TRACY, from the committee to whom was referred the letter signed John Trumbull, of 20th September, 1798, reported a resolution, which was adopted, as follows:

Resolved, That the Senate of the United States accept the prints presented by John Trumbull, Esq., and that their President be requested to inform him, that while they respect the delicacy which dictated the manner of offering this elegant present, they consider their country honored by the genius of one of her sons, by whom these prints are happily designed, to perpetuate two memorable scenes in her progress to independence, and Mr. ANDERSON presented the petition of Dan-to preserve in lively recollection the names and virtues iel Smith, praying compensation for a negro, and of heroes who fell in her defence.

also for several horses, stated to have been stolen by the Indians; which was read, and referred to the committee appointed the 5th inst., on the petition of Samuel Glass and others, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

Mr. MARSHALL presented the petition of Margaret Lapsley, praying the renewal of certain certificates therein mentioned, and stated to have been lost; and the petition was read, and referred to Messrs. MARSHALL, TRACY, and DAYTON, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

Ordered, That Messrs. TRACY, LAURANCE, READ. DEXTER, and Ross, be a committee to take into consideration that part of the Speech of the President of the United States which recommends a revision and amendment of the judiciary system, and that they have leave to report by bill, bills, or otherwise.

FRIDAY, December 13.

Mr. Ross from the committee to whom was referred the bill for reviving and continuing suits and proceedings in the Circuit Court for the district of Pennsylvania, reported amendments; which were read and agreed to, and the bill was amended accordingly.

Ordered, That Messrs. DAYTON, MARSHALL, and TRACY, be a committee to prepare and report a bill providing for the renewal of the certificates of the debt of the United States which have been destroyed or lost.

WEDNESDAY, December 18.
The Senate transacted no business to-day.

THURSDAY, December 19.

The following Message was received from the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
Gentlemen of the Senate, and

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
The letter herewith transmitted will inform you that
it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this
life our excellent fellow-citizen GEORGE WASHINGTON,
by the purity of his character, and a long series of ser-
vices to his country, rendered illustrious through the
world. It remains for an affectionate and grateful peo-
ple, in whose hearts he can never die, to pay suitable

honors to his memory.

JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, December 19, 1799.

The Message and letter were read and ordered to lie for consideration.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House having re

Ordered, That this bill pass to the third reading. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion made yesterday respecting the law prohib-ceived intelligence of the death of their highlyiting the slave trade; and,

Ordered, That Messrs. HILLHOUSE, DEXTER, and READ, be a committee to take the same into consideration and report thereon to the Senate.

MONDAY, December 16.

The bill for reviving and continuing suits and proceedings in the Circuit Court for the district of Pennsylvania was read the third time, and passed.

valued fellow-citizen, General GEORGE WASHINGTON, and sharing the universal grief this distressing event must produce, have resolved that a joint committee be appointed, to report measures suitable to the occasion, and expressive of the profound sorrow with which Congress is penetrated on the loss of a citizen, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen; and, having appointed a committee on their part, desire the concurrence of the Senate.

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The Senate proceeded to consider the foregoing resolution of the House of Representatives; whereupon,

Resolved, That they do concur therein, and that Messrs. DAYTON, BINGHAM, DEXTER, GUNN, LAURANCE, TRACY, and READ, be the committee on the part of the Senate.

SENATE.

God! his glory is consummated; WASHINGTON yet lives -on earth in his spotless example-his spirit is in heaven.

Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the heroic General, the patriotic Statesman, and the virtuous Sage; let them teach their children never to forget that the fruit of his labors and his example are their inheritance. SAMUEL LIVERMORE,

President of the Senate, pro tempore.

Ordered, That the committee who prepared the Address wait on the President of the United States, and desire him to acquaint the Senate at what time and place it will be most convenient for him that it should be presented.

Resolved, That the Senate will wait on the President of the United States, to condole with him on the distressing event of the death of General GEORGE WASHINGTON; and that a committee be appointed to prepare, for that occasion, an Address to the President of the United States, expressive of the deep regret of the Senate; and that this committee consist of Messrs. DEXTER, Ross, and Mr. DEXTER reported, from the committee, that READ. they had waited on the President of the United Resolved, That the chairs in the Senate Cham-States and that he had acquainted them that he ber be covered, and the room hung with black, would receive the Address of the Senate immeand that each member, and the officers of the Se- diately, at his own house. nate, go into mourning, by the usual mode of wearing a crape round the left arm, during the session.

MONDAY, December 23.

TIMOTHY BLOODWORTH, from the State of North Carolina, and JOHN E. HOWARD, from the State of Maryland, severally attended.

Mr. DEXTER, from the committee appointed for the purpose on the 18th inst., reported the draught of an Address to the President of the United States, on the death of General GEORGE WASHINGTON; which being read in paragraphs, was adopted, as follows:

To the President of the United States:

The Senate of the United States respectfully take leave, sir, to express to you their deep regret for the loss their country sustains in the death of General GEORGE WASHINGTON.

This event, so distressing to all our fellow-citizens, must be peculiarly heavy to you, who have long been associated with him in deeds of patriotism. Permit us, sir, to mingle our tears with yours; on this occasion it is manly to weep. To lose such a man, at such a crisis, is no common calamity to the world. Our country mourns her Father. The Almighty Disposer of human events has taken from us our greatest benefactor and ornament. It becomes us to submit with reverence to him who "maketh darkness his pavilion."

With patriotic pride, we review the life of our WASHINGTON, and compare him with those of other countries, who have been pre-eminent in fame. Ancient and modern names are diminished before him. Greatness and guilt have too often been allied; but his fame is whiter than it is brilliant. The destroyers of nations stood abashed at the majesty of his virtue. It reproved the intemperance of their ambition, and darkened the splendor of victory. The scene is closed, and we are no longer anxious lest misfortune should sully his glory; he has travelled on to the end of his journey and carried with him an increasing weight of honor: he has deposited it safely, where misfortune cannot tarnish it, where malice cannot blast it. Favored of heaven, he departed without exhibiting the weakness of humanity. Magnanimous in death, the darkness of the grave could not obscure his brightness.

Such was the man whom we deplore. Thanks to

Whereupon, the Senate waited on the President of the United States, and the President of the Senate, in their name, presented the Address this day agreed to.

To which the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES made the following reply:

Gentlemen of the Senate:

I receive with the most respectful and affectionate sentiments, in this impressive address, the obliging expressions of your regard for the loss cur country has sustained in the death of her most esteemed, beloved, and admired citizen.

In the multitude of my thoughts and recollections on this melancholy event, you will permit me only to say, that I have seen him in the days of adversity, in some of the scenes of his deepest distress and most trying perplexities; I have also attended him in his highest elevation, and most prosperous felicity, with uniform admiration of his wisdom, moderation, and constancy.

Among all our original associates in that memorable League of the Continent in 1774, which first expressed the sovereign will of a free nation in America, he was the only one remaining in the General Government. Although, with a constitution more enfeebled than his, at an age when he thought it necessary to prepare for retirement, I feel myself alone, bereaved of my last brother, yet I derive a strong consolation from the unanimous disposition which appears, in all ages and classes, to mingle their sorrow with mine, on this common calamity to the world.

The life of our WASHINGTON cannot suffer by a comparison with those of other countries who have been most celebrated and exalted by fame. The attributes and decorations of royalty could have only served to eclipse the majesty of those virtues which made him, from being a modest citizen, a more resplendent luminary. Misfortune, had he lived, could hereafter have sullied his glory only with those superficial minds, who, believing that characters and actions are marked by success alone, rarely deserve to enjoy it. Malice could never blast his honor, and envy made him a singular exception to her universal rule. For himself he had lived enough to life, and to glory. For his fellow-citizens, if their prayers could have been answered, he would have been immortal. For me his departure is at a most unfortunate moment. Trusting, however, in the wise and righteous dominion of Providence over the passions of men, and the results of their councils and

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