Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : It is my duty to recommend to your serious consideration those objects which, by the constitution, are placed particularly within your sphere-the national debt and taxes. Since the decay of the feudal system, by which the public defence was provided for, chiefly at the expense of individuals, a system of loans has been introduced. And as no nation can raise, within the year, by taxes, sufficient sums for its defence, and military operations in time of war, the sums loaned and debts contracted have necessarily become the subjects of what have been called funding systems. The consequences arising from the continued accumulation of public debts in other countries, ought to admonish us to be careful to prevent their growth in our own. The national defence must be provided for as well as the support of Government; but both should be accomplished, as much as possible, by immediate taxes, and as little as possible by loans. The estimates for the services for the ensuing year will, by my direction, be laid before you. Gentlemen of the Senate, and SATURDAY, November 25. [SENATE. Mr. STOCKTON, from the committee, reported the draft of an Address to the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, in answer to his Speech to both Houses of Congress, at the opening of the session; which was read. On motion, that a number of copies be printed, under an injunction that no more should be struck off than may be necessary for the use of the Senate, it passed in the negative. Ordered, That the Secretary furnish such Senators as request it, with copies of this report. MONDAY, Ne vember 27. HENRY TAZEWELL, from the State of Virginia, attended. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee, of the draft of an Address in answer to the Speed 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: The communications you thought proper to make in your Speech to both Houses of Congress on the opening of their present session, afford additional proofs of the attention, integrity, and firmness, which have always marked your official character. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: We are met together at a most interesting period; the situations of the principal powers of Europe are singular and portentous: connected with some by treaties and with all by commerce, no important event We cannot but approve of the measures you had there can be indifferent to us; such circumstances taken to ascertain the state and decline of the concall with peculiar importunity, not less for a dispo-tagious sickness which has so lately afflicted the city sition to unite in all those measures on which the honor, safety, and prosperity of our country depend, than for all the exertions of wisdom and firmness. In all such measures you may rely on my zealous and hearty concurrence. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, November 23, 1797. Ordered, That Messrs. STOCKTON, LAURANCE, and LIVERMORE, 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 of Congress; and that the Speech be printed for the use of the Senate. FRIDAY, November 24. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House have agreed to so much of the resolution of the Senate, of the 22d instant, relative to the appointment of Chaplains, as is contained in the words following, to wit: "Resolved, That two Chaplains be appointed to Congress for the present session, one by each House, who shall interchange weekly." "The House have proceeded, by ballot, to the appointment of a Chaplain on their part; and, upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes of the whole House was found in favor of the Rev. ASHBEL Green." of Philadelphia, and the pleasing circumstance that Congress is now assembled at that place, without hazard to the health of its members, evinces the propriety of your having postponed a determination to convene the National Legislature at another place. We shall take into consideration the law of 1794, on this subject, and will readily concur in any amendment which may be deemed expedient. It would have given us much pleasure to have received your congratulations on the re-establishment of peace in Europe, and the restoration of security to and violence at sea. But, though these events, so the persons and property of our citizens from injustice desirable to our country and the world, have not taken place, yet we have abundant cause of gratitude to the Great Disposer of human events for interior tranquillity and personal security, for propitious seasons, prosperous agriculture, productive fisheries, and general improvement; and, above all, for a rational spirit of civil and religious liberty, and a calm, but steady determination to support our sovereignty against all open and secret attacks. We learn, with satisfaction, that our Envoys Extraordinary to the French Republic had safely arrived in Europe, and were proceeding to the scene of nego tiation; and, whatever may be the result of the mission, we are perfectly satisfied that nothing on your part has been omitted, which could, in any way, conduce to a successful conclusion of the negotiation, upon terms compatible with the safety, honor, and interest, of the United States; and we are fully covinced that, in the mean time, a manifestation of that unanimity and energy of which the people of the United States have given such memorable proofs, and a proper exertion of those resources of national defence, which we possess, will essentially contribute to the preservation of peace and the attainment of justice. We think, sir, with you, that the commerce of the United States is essential to the growth, comfort, and prosperity of our country; and that the faith of society is pledged for the preservation of the rights of commercial and seafaring, no less than of other citizens. And even if our negotiation with France should terminate favorably, and the war in Europe cease, yet the state of society, which unhappily prevails in so great a portion of the world, and the experience of past times, under better circumstances, unite in warning us that a commerce so extensive, and which holds out so many temptations to lawless plunderers, can never be safe without protection; and we hold ourselves obliged, by every tie of duty which binds us to our constituents, to promote and concur in such measures of marine defence, as may convince our merchants and seamen that their rights are not sacrificed, nor their injuries forgotten. [NOVEMBER, 1797. the Executive part of our Government has been committed to your hands, for, in your integrity, talents, and firmness, we place the most entire confidence. JACOB READ, 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. On motion, Ordered, That Messrs. TRACY, BINGHAM, and GREENE, be a committee, to inquire what business remained unfinished at the close of the last session of Congress, which, in their opinion, is proper for the Senate to take into consideration the present session, and, also, what laws will expire before the next session of Congress, and report thereon to the Senate. TUESDAY, November 28. Mr. STOCKTON 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 this day at 12 o'clock, at his own house. We regret, that, notwithstanding the clear and explicit terms of the treaty between the United States and His Catholic Majesty, the Spanish garrisons are not yet withdrawn from our territory, nor the running of the boundary line commenced. The United States have been faithful in the performance of their obligations to Spain, and had reason to expect a compliance equally prompt on the part of that power. The Senate accordingly waited on the PRESIWe still, however, indulge the hope that the convinc- DENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and the PRESIDENT ing answers, which have been given to the objections pro tempore, in their name, presented the Adstated by the Spanish officers, to the immediate exe-dress agreed to yesterday. cution of the treaty, will have their proper effect; and that this treaty, so mutually beneficial to the contracting parties, will be finally observed with good faith. We therefore entirely approve of your determination to continue in readiness to receive the posts, and to run the line of partition between our territory and that of the King of Spain. Attempts to alienate the affections of the Indians; to form them into a confederacy, and to excite them to actual hostility against the United States, whether made by foreign agents, or by others, are so injurious to our citizens at large, and so inhuman with respect to our citizens inhabiting the adjacent territory, as to deserve the most exemplary punishment; and we will cheerfully afford our aid in framing a law, which may prescribe a punishment adequate to the commission of crimes so heinous. The several objects you have pointed out to the attention of the Legislature, whether they regard our internal or external relations, shall receive from us that consideration which they merit; and we will readily concur in all such measures as may be necessary, either to enable us to fulfil our engagements at home, or to cause ourselves to be respected abroad. And, at this portentous period, when the powers of Europe, with whom we are connected by treaty or commerce, are in so critical a situation, and when the conduct of some of those powers towards the United States is so hostile and menacing, the several branches of the Government are, in our opinion, called upon, with peculiar importunity, to unite, and, by union, not only to devise and carry those measures on which the safety and prosperity of our country depend, but also to undeceive those nations who, regarding us as a weak and divided people, have pursued systems of aggression inconsistent with a state of peace between independent nations. And, sir we beg leave to assure you, that we derive a singular consolation from the reflection that, at such a time, To which the PRESIDENT made the following Reply: Gentlemen of the Senate: I thank you for this Address. When, after the most laborious investigation, and serious reflection, without partial considerations, or personal motives, measures have been adopted or recommended, I can receive no higher testimony of their rectitude, than the approbation of an assembly, nate of the United States. so independent, patriotic, and enlightened, as the Se Nothing has afforded me more entire satisfaction, than the coincidence of your judgment with mine, in the opinion of the essential importance of our commerce, and the absolute necessity of a maritime defence. What is it, that has drawn to Europe the superfluous riches of the three other quarters of the globe, but a marine? What is it that has drained three of its principal commercial powers, but a mathe wealth of Europe itself into the coffers of two or rine? The world has furnished no example of a flourishing moderate knowledge of man and his history will concommerce, without a maritime protection; and a vince any one, that no such prodigy ever can arise. A mercantile marine and a military marine must grow up together; one cannot long exist without the other. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, November 28, 1797. The Senate returned to their own Chamber, and adjourned. WEDNESDAY, November 29. The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the memorial and address of the people called Quakers, FRIDAY, December 22. [SENATE. As we know very well, by experience, such negotiations cannot be carried on without considerable expenses, I recommend to your consideration the propriety of making an appropriation, at this time, for defraying such as may be necessary for holding and concluding a treaty. That you may form your judgments with greater facility, I shall direct the proper officer to lay before you an estimate of such articles and expenses as may be thought indispensable. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, January 17, 1798. MONDAY, January 22. JOSIAH TATTNALL, from the State of Georgia, attended. FRIDAY, February 2. JOHN SLOSS HOBART, appointed a Senator by the State of New York, in the place of Philip Schuyler, resigned, produced his credentials, and, the oath required by law being administered, he took his seat in the Senate. MONDAY, February 5. French Outrage. JOHN E. HOWARD, from the State of Mary- PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; which was The following Message was received from the land, attended. THURSDAY, December 28. JOHN BROWN, from the State of Kentucky, attended. FRIDAY, December 29. read: Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : I have received a letter from his Excellency Charles Pinckney, Esq., Governor of the State of South Carolina, dated the 22d October, 1797, enclosing a number of depositions and witnesses to several captures and outrages committed within and near the limits STEPHENS THOMPSON MASON, from the State of the United States, by a French privateer belongof Virginia, attended. ing to Cape Francois, or Monte Christo, called the Vertitude or Fortitude, and commanded by a person of the name of Jordan or Jourdain, and particularly upon an English merchant ship named the Oracabissa, which he first plundered and then burned, with the rest of her cargo, of great value, within the territory of the United States, in the harbor of Charleston, on the 17th of October last. Copies of which letter and depositions, and also of several other depositions relative to the same subject, received from the Collector of Charleston, are herewith communicated. Whenever the channel of diplomatical communication between the United States and France shall be opened, I shall demand satisfaction for the insult and reparation for the injury. I have transmitted these papers to Congress, not The following Message was received from the so much for the purpose of communicating an account PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Gentlemen of the Senate, and of so daring a violation of the territory of the United States, as to show the propriety and necessity of enabling the Executive authority of Government to Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: The situation of affairs between the United States ed States and such foreigners as have a right to entake measures for protecting the citizens of the Unitand the Cherokee Indians having evinced the expe- joy their peace, and the protection of their laws, diency of a treaty with that nation, for the promo-within their limits, in that as well as some other tion of justice to them, as well as of the interests harbors which are equally exposed. and convenience of our citizens, I have nominated, and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointed Commissioners to hold conferences, and conclude a treaty, as early as the season of the year and the convenience of the parties will admit. JOHN ADAMS. SENATE.] Proceedings. [APRIL, 1798. contended at every hazard, and which constitute the basis of our national sovereignty. Under these circumstances, I cannot forbear to reiterate the recommendations which have been fortitude, decision, and unanimity, such measures as merly made, and to exhort you to adopt, with prompthe ample resources of the country afford, for the protection of our seafaring and commercial citizens; for the defence of any exposed portions of our territory; for replenishing our arsenals, establishing foundries and military manufactures; and to provide such efficient revenue, as will be necessary to defray The following Message was received from the extraordinary expenses, and supply the deficiencies PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Gentlemen of the Senate, and which may be occasioned by depredations on our commerce. The present state of things is so essentially differfrom that in which instructions were given to the collectors to restrain vessels of the United States from sailing in an armed condition, that the principle on which those orders were issued has ceased to exist. I Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : The first despatches from our Envoys Extraordi-ent nary, since their arrival at Paris, were received at the Secretary of State's office at a late hour the last evening. They are all in a character which will require some days to be deciphered, except the last, which is dated the 8th of January, 1798. The contents of this letter are of so much importance to be immediately made known to Congress and to the public, especially to the mercantile part of our fellow-citizens, that I have thought it my duty to communicate them to both Houses without loss of time. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, March 5, 1798. The Message and paper therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. MONDAY, March 19. therefore deem it proper to inform Congress, that I no longer conceive myself justifiable in continuing them, unless in particular cases, where there may be reasonable ground of suspicion that such vessels are intended to be employed contrary to law. In all your proceedings, it will be important to manifest a zeal, a vigor, and concert, in defence of the national rights, proportioned to the danger with which they are threatened. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, March 19, 1798. The Message was read and referred to the committee appointed on the 29th November last, who have under consideration that part of The following Message was received from the the Speech of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: The despatches from the Envoys Extraordinary of the United States to the French Republic, which were mentioned in my Message to both Houses of Congress, of the fifth instant, have been examined and maturely considered. While I feel a satisfaction in informing you that their exertions, for the adjustment of the differences between the two nations, have been sincere and unremitted, it is incumbent on me to declare, that I perceive no ground of expectation that the objects of their mission can be accomplished, on terms compatible with the safety, the honor, or the essential interests of the nation. This result cannot, with justice, be attributed to any want of moderation on the part of this Government, or to any indisposition to forego secondary interests, for the preservation of peace. Knowing it to be my duty, and believing it to be your wish, as well as that of the great body of the people, to avoid, by all reasonable concessions, any participation in the contentions of Europe, the powers vested in our Envoys were commensurate with a liberal and pacific policy, and that high confidence which might justly be reposed in the abilities, patriotism, and integrity, of the characters to whom the negotiation was committed. After a careful review of the whole subject, with the aid of all the information I have received, I can discern nothing which could have insured or contributed to success, that has been omitted on my part, and nothing further which can be attempted, consistently with maxims for which our country has STATES, at the commencement of the session, which relates to the protection of commerce, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. TUESDAY, April 3. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: In compliance with the request of the House of Representatives, expressed in their resolution of the second of this month, I transmit to both Houses those instructions to, and despatches from, the Envoys Extraordinary of the United States to the French Republic, which were mentioned in my Message of the nineteenth of March last, omitting only some names, and a few expressions descriptive of the persons. I request that they may be considered in confidence, until the members of Congress are fully possessed of their contents and shall have had opportunity to deliberate on the consequences of their publication; after which time I submit them to your wisdom. UNITED STATES, April 3, 1798. JOHN ADAMS. The galleries being cleared, the Message and documents were read. Ordered, That they lie for consideration. MONDAY, April 16. The VICE PRESIDENT communicated a letter On the question to agree to the first resolution reported, to wit: "Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress doth consent that Thomas Pinckney, Esq., who, as Envoy Extraordinary of the United States, negotiated the Treaty of Friendship, Limits, and Navigation between the United States and the King of Spain, may receive from the said King such present as it is customary for His Catholic Majesty to make to such persons as negotiate treaties with him:" It passed in the affirmative-yeas 17, nays 5, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Anderson, Bingham, Bloodworth, Clayton, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, Hillhouse, Howard, Latimer, Laurance, Livermore, Martin, Read, Sedgwick, Stockton, and Tracy. NAYS.-Messrs. Brown, Langdon, Marshall, Mason, and Tazewell. And the other resolution reported was agreed to, in the words following: And be it further resolved, That Congress doth consent that the said Thomas Pinckney, Esq., lately Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the King of Great Britain, may receive from the said King such present as it is customary for His Britannic Majesty to make to Ministers Plenipotentiary on taking leave of him. [SENATE. municate to you a letter received by him from Mr. Gerry, the only one of the three who has not received his congé. This letter, together with another, from the Minister of Foreign Relations to him, of the third of April, and his answer of the fourth, will show the situation in which he remains; his intentions and prospects. fresh instructions, (a copy of which accompanies this I presume that, before this time, he has received message,) to consent to no loans, and therefore the negotiation may be considered at an end. I will never send another Minister to France without assurances that he will be received, respected, and honored, as the representative of a great, free, powerful, and independent nation. UNITED STATES, June 21, 1798. JOHN ADAMS. The Message and documents were read. be printed for the use of the Senate. Resolved, That five hundred copies thereof MONDAY, June 25. The bill to declare the treaties between the United States and the Republic of France void and of no effect, was read the third time; and the final passage of the bill was determined in the affirmative-yeas 14, nays 5, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Bingham, Chipman, Foster, Goodhue, Hillhouse, Howard, Laurance, Livermore, Lloyd, North, Paine, Read. Sedgwick, and Tracy. NAYS.-Messrs. Brown, Langdon, Martin, Mason, and Tazewell. Resolved, That this bill pass: that it be engrossed; and that the title thereof be, "An act to declare the treaties between the United States and the Republic of France void and of no effect." WEDNESDAY, June 27. The VICE PRESIDENT being absent, the Senate proceeded to the choice of a President pro tempore, as the constitution provides, and THEODORE SEDGWICK was duly elected. The bill to define more particularly the crime of treason, and to define and punish the crime of sedition, was read the second time. On motion that this bill be committed, it passed in the affirmative-yeas 15, nays 6, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Bingham, Chipman, Foster, Goodhue, Hillhouse, Howard, Latimer, Laurance, Lloyd, North, Paine, Read, Sedgwick, Stockton, and Tracy. NAYS.-Messrs. Anderson, Brown, Langdon, Livermore, Martin, and Mason. Ordered, That this bill be referred to Messrs. LLOYD, TRACY, STOCKTON, CHIPMAN, and READ, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. FRIDAY, June 29. The bill to authorize the PRESIDENT to prevent and regulate the landing of French passengers, and other persons who may arrive within the United States from foreign places, was read the third time. |