MAY, 1800.] Proceedings. [H. OF R. The bill provided that it should be one hundred | ledge, jun., Samuel Sewall, James Sheafe, John feet square at the base, and of a proportionate Smith, Samuel Smith, Richard Dobbs Spaight, height. Mr. EGGLESTON wished to hear the estimated price. Mr. HARPER said he had an estimate from Mr. Latrobe, of Philadelphia, who was the architect employed on the Pennsylvania Bank, the estimate of which had rather been over the actual expense; the estimate was that a pyramid of one hundred feet at the bottom, with nineteen steps, having a chamber thirty feet square, made of granite, to be taken from the Potomac, with a marble sarcophagus in the centre, and four marble pillars on the outside, besides other proportionate ornaments, would amount to $62,500. He hoped no objection would be made to the price, since it could not occur on any future occasion, as another WASHINGTON would never die. Mr. NICHOLAS thought every sense of respect would be as well signified by a building of less dimensions, and it would be considerable less expense; he moved to strike out one hundred and insert sixty. After some debate, this was negatived. The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for its third reading. Meeting of Congress. A bill was received from the Senate appointing the time and directing the place of the next meeting of Congress, which provided that the two Houses should meet at the city of Washington on the third Monday in November next. The House went into committee thereupon, which was reported. On the question for its third reading, it was carried-yeas 32, nays 32. The SPEAKER voted in the affirmative, and it was ordered to a third reading to-morrow. SATURDAY, May 10. Memory of Washington. The bill for erecting a mausoleum for GEORGE WASHINGTON, in the city of Washington, was read a third time; and upon the question, shall the bill pass? Mr. KITCHELL called the yeas and nays upon it, and proceeded to give his reasons why he would vote against the bill. He was followed by Mr. HARPER in favor of it, and Mr. RANDOLPH against it; when the question was taken, and the bill passed-yeas 54, nays 19, as follows: YEAS.-Willis Alston, Bailey Bartlett, James A. Bayard, Jonathan Brace, John Brown, Gabriel Christie, William C. C. Claiborne, William Craik, Samuel W. Dana, Franklin Davenport, Thomas T. Davis, John Dawson, George Dent, Joseph Dickson, Thomas Evans, Abiel Foster, Albert Gallatin, Henry Glenn, Chauncey Goodrich, Elizur Goodrich, Edwin Gray, Roger Griswold, John A. Hanna, Robert Goodloe Harper, David Holmes, Benjamin Huger, James H. Imlay, James Jones, John Wilkes Kittera, Henry Lee, Silas Lee, Edward Livingston, Lewis R. Morris, Peter Muhlenberg, Abraham Nott, Robert Page, Jonas Platt, Leven Powell, John Read, John Rut George Thatcher, John C. Thomas, Richard Thomas, Abram Trigg, Philip Van Cortlandt, Peleg Wadsworth, Robert Waln, Lemuel Williams, and Henry Woods. NAYS.-Theodorus Bailey, Robert Brown, Matthew Aaron Kitchell, Michael Leib, James Linn, NathanClay, John Condit, John Davenport, George Jackson, iel Macon, Anthony New, John Nicholas, John Randolph, William Shepard, John Smilie, Thomas Sumter, John Thompson, John Trigg, and Joseph B. | Varnum. Next Meeting of Congress. The bill from the Senate appointing the time and directing the place of the next meeting of Congress, was read a third time; when Mr. BAYARD moved that it be recommitted to a Committee of the whole House, for the purpose of altering the time of commencing the session. After some debate, the motion was negatived. The question was then put, shall the bill pass? and resolved in the affirmative-yeas 41, nays 35. The next meeting of Congress will of course take place on the third Monday in November next. Imprisonment for Debt. H. OF R.] Adjournment. [MAY, 1800 two Houses, with an amendment; to which | House that they adhered to the amendment; they desire the concurrence of this House. whereupon, The House proceeded to consider the amendment proposed by the Senate to the resolution for postponing the time of adjournment: Whereupon, Resolved, that this House doth agree to the said amendment. WEDNESDAY, May 14. Canadian Refugees. A message from the Senate informed the House that the Senate have passed a bill regulating the grants of land to the Canada and Nova Scotia refugees, with amendments. The amendments were taken into consideration, and opposed by Mr. GALLATIN, who said the object of the Senate was to give the refugees land worth ten cents an acre, instead of good land worth one dollar per acre, as proposed by this House; rather than do this, he would give them nothing. Mr. LIVINGSTON was of the same opinion, and hoped the House would not concur. These people had waited eighteen years, and he thought it extremely hard they should now be put off in this manner. The amendments were unanimously rejected. A message from the Senate informed the Mr. GALLATIN moved that the further consideration of the bill be postponed till the third Monday in November next, which was carried. After receiving several messages from the PRESIDENT, notifying the signing of various bills, there appearing no further business before the House, on motion of Mr. C. GOODRIOп a resolution for the appointment of a joint committee to wait on the PRESIDENT, and inform him of the proposed recess, was adopted, and was concurred in by the Senate. Mr. C. GOODRICH, from the Joint Committee, reported that they had performed that service, and that the PRESIDENT informed them he had no other communication to make, except his good wishes for their health and happiness, and that he wished them a pleasant journey to their respective homes. A message having been sent to the Senate to inform them this House was ready to adjourn, after a few minutes a motion was made for that purpose, and carried; when The SPEAKER, after taking an affectionate farewell of the members, and expressing his wish for their safe return and happiness, during the recess, adjourned the House till the third Monday in November next, to meet in the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia. NOVEMBER, 1800.] Proceedings. SIXTH CONGRESS.-SECOND SESSION. [SENATE. BEGUN AT THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 17, 1800.* PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE. MONDAY, November 17, 1800. In pursuance of the law of the last session, the second session of the sixth Congress commenced this day, at the city of Washington, and the Senate assembled, in their Chamber, at the Capitol. PRESENT: The credentials of DWIGHT FOSTER, appointed a Senator by the State of Massachusetts, in place of Samuel Dexter, resigned, were read, and he took his seat in the Senate. The VICE PRESIDENT being absent, the Senate proceeded to the election of a President, pro tempore, as the constitution provides, and JOHN E. HOWARD was chosen. The PRESIDENT administered the oath pre JOHN LANGDON and SAMUEL LIVERMORE, from scribed by law to Mr. FOSTER. DWIGHT FOSTER, from Massachusetts. Connecticut. THEODORE FOSTER, from Rhode Island. Tennessee. ABRAHAM BALDWIN, from Georgia. The number of members present not being sufficient to constitute a quorum, the Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. TUESDAY, November 18. The number of members present not being sufficient to constitute a quorum, the Senate adjourned. WEDNESDAY, November 19. There being no quorum, the Senate adjourned. THURSDAY, November 20. Ordered, that the Secretary wait on 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 JOHN E. HOWARD, 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 JOHN E. HOWARD President of the Senate, pro tempore. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that a quorum of the House is assembled, and they have appointed a committee on their part, together with such committee as the Senate may appoint, 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 them. Resolved, That the Senate concur in the resolution last recited, and that Messrs. WELLS and TRACY be the committee on the part of the Senate. Mr. WELLS reported, from the joint committee last mentioned, that they had waited on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; and that There being no quorum present, the Senate he acquainted the committee that he would adjourned. meet the two Houses of Congress, at 12 o'clock to-morrow, in the Senate Chamber. SATURDAY, November 22. Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives, that the Senate are ready *The First Meeting of Congress at Washington City. SENATE. Proceedings. [NOVEMBER, 1800. to meet them in their Chamber, for the purpose | been suggested by experience be more beneficially of receiving the communications from the applied. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. The House of Representatives having accordingly taken the seats assigned them, the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES came into the Senate Chamber, and addressed both Houses of Congress as follows: Gentlemen of the Senate, and 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. 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 proclama tion. 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 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 injustice of others may again compel us to resort. While our vast extent of sea-coast, 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 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 self-government which adorned the great character whose name it bears, be for ever held in veneration! Here, and throughout our country, may simple manners, pure morals, and true religion flourish for ever! 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 Citizen Talleyrand, retained under the Consulate as Minwhich, if not thrown away, or lamentably misdi-ister of Exterior Relations, was the organ of our Ministers' rected, will secure to it a long course of prosperity and self-government. In compliance with a law of the last session of Congress, the officers and soldiers of the temporary army have been discharged. It affords real pleasure to recollect 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. communications with the First Consul, and his language and deportment on their arrival present a fine contrast to what they were in the time of the Directory, and of the X, Y, Z. subaltern intriguers. Thus, arriving in Paris on the 24 of March, they notify the Citizen Minister of that fact on the 3d, and the same day receive this answer: "The information which you have just communicated of your arrival at Paris, has given me real satisfaction. If you will take the trouble to call upon me at half-past twelve to-morrow, I will be exceedingly glad to have the honor of receiving you." They It is, in every point of view, of such primary im- called as requested, and were treated with all courtesy; and, portance to carry the laws into prompt and faithful having expressed a desire to be presented to the First Con execution, and to render that part of the adminis- sul, they received the next day the evidence that he had tration of justice which the constitution and laws de-attended to their request and accomplished it, and giving volve 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 the hour they were to be "so obliging" as to attend in the Hall of the Ambassadors, in the Palace of the Tuileries. And in notifying them that a commission was appointed to trest with them, he expressed himself with amiable politeness, "to remove a misunderstanding which comports as little with the interests as with the sentiments of the two Gov ernments." 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 connection with a navy ought to be contemplated the fortification of some of our principal seaports and harbors. A variety of considerations, which will readily suggest themselves, urge an attention to this measure 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 purposes the fortifications which have been commenced. The manufacture of arms within the United States still invites the attention of the national Legislature. At a considerable expense to the public this manufacture has been brought to such a state of maturity as, with continued encouragement, will supersede the necessity of future importations from foreign countries. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: [SENATE. 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 draft 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. MONDAY, November 24 JONATHAN DAYTON, from the State of New Jersey, attended. Mr. TRACY, from the committee appointed to draft 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, made a report, which was read, and ordered to lie for consideration. TUESDAY, November 25. WILSON CARY NICHOLAS, from the State of Virginia, attended. The Senate took into consideration the report of the committee of the draft 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: 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 pub-ings upon the Government and people of this Union. lic credit. Gentlemen of the Senate, and 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 patriotism, 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. UNITED STATES, Nov. 22, 1800. JOHN ADAMS. 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 bless 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 a belief that the moment in which we were destined to 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 carthly 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. mit 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 And per |