Canadian Refugees-Adjournment.

PROCEEDINGS

OF

THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,

AT THE SECOND SESSION OF THE SIXTH CONGRESS, BEGUN AT THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 17, 1800.

JOHN LANGDON and SAMUEL LIVERMORE, from dent of the United States, and acquaint him that New Hampshire;

SENATE.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and

Proceedings.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : Immediately after the adjournment of Congress at their last session in Philadelphia, I gave directions, in compliance with the laws, for the removal of the public offices, records, and property. These directions have been executed, and the public officers have since resided and conducted the ordinary business of the Government in this place.

I congratulate the people of the United States on the assembling of Congress at the permanent seat of their Government; and I congratulate you, gentlemen, on the prospect of a residence not to be changed. Although there is cause to apprehend that accommodations are not now so complete as might be wished, yet there is great reason to believe that this inconvenience will cease with the present session.

It would be unbecoming the Representatives of this nation to assemble, for the first time, in this solemn temple, without looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and imploring his blessing.

May this Territory be the residence of virtue and happiness! In this city may that piety and virtue, that wisdom and magnanimity, that constancy and selfgovernment which adorned the great character whose name it bears, be forever held in veneration! Here, and throughout our country, may simple manners, pure morals, and true religion, flourish forever!

It is with you, gentlemen, to consider whether the local powers over the District of Columbia, vested by the Constitution in the Congress of the United States, shall be immediately exercised. If, in your opinion, this important trust ought now to be executed, you cannot fail, while performing it, to take into view the future probable situation of the Territory for the happiness of which you are about to provide. You will consider it as the Capital of a great nation, advancing, with unexampled rapidity, in arts, in commerce, in wealth, and in population; and possessing, within itself, those energies and resources which, if not thrown away, or lamentably misdirected, will secure to it a long course of prosperity and self-government.

NOVEMBER, 1800.

nations to adjust this difference with good faith, I indulge confidently the expectation that the sincere endeavors of the Government of the United States to bring it to an amicable termination will not be disappointed. The Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary from the United States to France were received by the First Consul with the respect due to their character; and three persons, with equal powers, were appointed to treat with them. Although, at the date of the last official intelligence, the negotiation had not terminated, yet it is to be hoped that our efforts to effect an accommodation will at length meet with a success proportioned to the sincerity with which they have been so often repeated.

While our best endeavors for the preservation of harmony with all nations will continue to be used, the experience of the world, our own experience, admonish us of the insecurity of trusting too confidently to their success. We cannot, without committing a dangerous imprudence, abandon those measures of self protection which are adapted to our situation, and to which, notwithstanding our pacific policy, the violence and injus tice of others may again compel us to resort. While our vast extent of seacoast, the commercial and agricultural habits of our people, the great capital they will continue to trust on the ocean, suggest the system of defence which will be most beneficial to ourselves, our distance from Europe, and our resources for maritime strength, will enable us to employ it with effect. Seasonable and systematic arrangements, so far as our resources will justify, for a navy, adapted to defensive war, and which may, in case of necessity, be quickly brought into use, seem to be as much recommended by a wise and true economy as by a just regard for our future tranquillity, for the safety of our shores, and for the protection of our property committed to the ocean.

The present Navy of the United States, called suddenly into existence by a great national exigency, has raised us in our own esteem; and, by the protection afforded to our commerce, has effected, to the extent of our expectations, the objects for which it was created.

In connexion with a navy ought to be contemplated In compliance with a law of the last session of Con- the fortification of some of our principal seaports and gress, the officers and soldiers of the temporary army harbors. A variety of considerations, which will readhave been discharged. It affords real pleasure to recol-ily suggest themselves, urge an attention to this mealect the honorable testimony they gave of the patriotic motives which brought them into the service of their country, by the readiness and regularity with which they returned to the station of private citizens.

It is, in every point of view, of such primary importance to carry the laws into prompt and faithful execution, and to render that part of the administration of justice which the Constitution and laws devolve on the federal courts, as convenient to the people as may consist with their present circumstances, that I cannot omit once more to recommend to your serious consideration the judiciary system of the United States. No subject is more interesting than this to the public happiness, and to none can those improvements which may have been suggested by experience be more beneficially applied.

A Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the King of Prussia has been concluded and ratified. The ratifications have been exchanged, and I have directed the treaty to be promulgated by proclamation.

The difficulties which suspended the execution of the sixth article of our Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, with Great Britain, have not yet been removed. The negotiation on this subject is still pending. As it must be for the interest and honor of both

sure of precaution. To give security to our principal ports, considerable sums have already been expended, but the works remain incomplete. It is for Congress to determine whether additional appropriations shall be made, in order to render competent to the intended pur

poses the fortifications which have been commenced. still invites the attention of the national Legislature. The manufacture of arms within the United States At a considerable expense to the public this manufac

with continued encouragement, will supersede the neces ture has been brought to such a state of maturity as, sity of future importations from foreign countries. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives :

I shall direct the estimates of the appropriations necessary for the ensuing year, together with an account of the public revenue and expenditure, to a late period, to be laid before you. I observe, with much satisfaction, the product of the revenue during the present year has been more considerable than during any former equal period. This result affords conclusive evidence of the great resources of this country, and of the wisdom and efficiency of the measures which have been adopted by Congress for the protection of commerce and preservation of public credit.

NOVEMBER, 1800.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and

Proceedings.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : As one of the grand community of nations, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the important scenes which surround us. If they have exhibited an uncommon portion of calamity, it is the province of humanity to deplore, and of wisdom to avoid, the causes which may have produced it. If, turning our eyes homeward, we find reason to rejoice at the prospect which presents itself; if we perceive the interior of our country prosperous, free, and happy; if all enjoy in safety, under the protection of laws emanating only from the general will, the fruits of their own labor, we ought to fortify and cling to those institutions which have been the source of such real felicity; and resist, with unabating perseverance, the progress of those dangerous innovations which may diminish their influence.

To your patrotism, gentlemen, has been confided the honorable duty of guarding the public interests; and, while the past is to your country a sure pledge that it will be faithfully discharged, permit me to assure you that your labors to promote the general happiness will receive from me the most zealous co-operation.

JOHN ADAMS.

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 draught 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.

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

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.

MONDAY, November 24.

JONATHAN DAYTON, from the State of New Jersey, attended.

SENATE.

The Senate took into consideration the report of the committee of the draught 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 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.

a belief that the moment in which we were destined to

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.

Mr. TRACY, from the committee appointed to draught an Address in answer to the Speech of the President of the United States to both Houses of The several subjects for Legislative consideration, Congress, at the opening of the session, made a contained in your Speech to both Houses of Congress, report, which was read, and ordered to lie for con- shall receive from the Senate all the attention which sideration. they can give, when contemplating those objects, both Resolved, That JAMES MATHERS, Sergeant-at-in respect to their national importance, and the adArms and Doorkeeper to the Senate, be, and he is ditional weight that is given them by your recommenhereby, authorized to employ one additional assist-dation. ant and two horses, for the purpose of performing such services as are usually required of the Doorkeeper to the Senate; and that the sum of twentyeight dollars be allowed him weekly for that purpose, during the session, and for twenty days after

wards.

TUESDAY, November 25.

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 our zealous co-operaWILSON CARY NICHOLAS, from the State of tion with the Legislature in every effort to promote the Virginia, attended.

general happiness and tranquillity of the Union.

SENATE.

Proceedings.

DECEMBER, 1800.

Accept, sir, our warmest wishes for your health and of Divine Providence, the wisdom and virtue of our cit 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 concur

rence of the Senate.

The Senate took into consideration the resolution last mentioned; and,

Resolved, That they do concur therein with the following amendment: after the word "Chaplains," insert "of different denominations."

WEDNESDAY, November 26.

Mr. TRACY reported, from the committee yesterday appointed for the purpose, that they had waited on the President of the United States, and that he would receive the Address of the Senate this day, at 12 o'clock, at his own house.

Whereupon, the Senate waited on the President of the United States accordingly: and the President of the Senate, in their name, presented the Address yesterday agreed to.

To which the PRESIDENT made the following reply:

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Senate:

For this excellent Address, so respectful to the memory of my illustrious predecessor, which I receive from the Senate of the United States, at this time, and in this place, with peculiar satisfaction, I pray you to accept of my unfeigned acknowledgments. With you, I ardently hope, that permanence and stability will be communicated as well to the Government itself, as to its beautiful and commodious seat. With you I deplore the death of that hero and sage who bore so honorable and efficient a part in the establishment of both. Great indeed would have been my gratification, if his sum of earthly happiness had been completed by seeing the Government thus peaceably convened at this place, himself at its head. But, while we submit to the decision

of Heaven, whose councils are inscrutable to us, we cannot but hope, that the members of Congress, the officers of Government, and all who inhabit the city or the country, will retain his virtues in lively recollection, and make his patriotism, morals, and piety, models for imitation.

I thank you, gentlemen, for your assurance that the several subjects for legislative consideration, recommended in my communication to both Houses, shall receive from the Senate a deliberate and candid attention.

With you, gentlemen, I sincerely deprecate all spirit of innovation which may weaken the sacred bond that connects the different parts of this nation and Government; and with you I trust, that, under the protection

izens will deliver our national compact unimpaired to a free, prosperous, happy and grateful posterity. To this end it is my fervent prayer, that, in this city, the fountains of wisdom may be always open, and the streams of eloquence forever flow. Here may the youth of this extensive country forever look up without disappointment, not only to the monuments and memorials of the dead, but to the examples of the living, in the members of Congress and officers of Government, for finished models of all those virtues, graces, talents, and accomplishments, which constitute the dignity of human nature, and lay the only foundation for the prosperity or duration of empires.

JOHN ADAMS.

CITY OF WASHINGTON Nov. 26, 1800.
The Senate returned to their own Chamber; and,

the reply of the President of the United States hav-
ing been read, adjourned.