MARCH, 1797.] Proceedings. [SENATE. sider what further measures the honor and interest of the Government and its constituents demand; if a resolution to do justice, as far as may depend upon me, at all times and to all nations, and maintain peace, friendship, and benevolence, with all the world; if an unshaken confidence in the honor, spirit, and resources of the American people, on which I have so often hazarded my all, and never been deceived; if elevated ideas of the towards it, founded on a knowledge of the moral principles and intellectual improvements of the people, deeply engraven on my mind in early life, and not obscured, but exalted by experience and age; and, with humble reverence, I feel it to be my duty to add, if a veneration for the religion of a people who profess and call themselves Christians, and a fixed resolution to consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for the public service, can enable me, in any degree, to comply with your wishes, it shall be my strenuous endeavor, that this sagacious injunction of the two Houses shall not be without effect. "With this great example before me, with the sense and spirit, the faith and honor, the duty and interest, of the same American people, pledged to support the Constitution of the United States, I entertain no doubt of its continuance in all its energy, and my mind is prepared, without hesitation, to lay myself under the most solemn obligations to support it to the utmost of my power. as an apology, if I venture to say, that, if a preference, upon principle, of a free Republican Government, formed upon long and serious reflection, after a diligent and impartial inquiry after truth; if an attachment to the Constitution of the United States, and a conscientious determination to support it, unt it shall be altered by the judgments and wishes of the people, expressed in the mode prescribed in it; if a respectful attention to the Constitutions of the individual States, and a con-high destinies of this country, and of my own duties stant caution and delicacy towards the State Governments; if an equal and impartial regard to the rights, interest, honor, and happiness, of all the States in the Union, without preference or regard to a Northern or Southern, an Eastern or Western position, their various political opinions, on unessential points, or their personal attachments; if a love of virtuous men of all parties and denominations; if a love of science and letters, and a wish to patronize every rational effort to encourage schools, colleges, universities, academies, and every institution for propagating knowledge, virtue, and religion, among all classes of the people, not only for their benign influence on the happiness of life in all its stages and classes, and of society in all its forms, but as the only means of preserving our Constitution from its natural enemies, the spirit of sophistry, the spirit of party, the spirit of intrigue, the profligacy of corruption, and the pestilence of foreign influence, which is the angel of destruction to elective Governments; if a love of equal laws, of justice, and humanity, in the interior administration; if an inclination to improve agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, for necessity, convenience, and defence; if a spirit of equity and humanity towards the aboriginal nations of America, and a disposition to meliorate their condition, by inclining them to be more friendly to us, and our citizens to be more friendly to them; if an inflexible determination to maintain peace and inviolable faith with all nations, and that system of neutrality and impartiality among the belligerant Powers of Europe, which has been adopted by this Government, and so solemnly sanctioned by both Houses of Congress, and applauded by the Legislatures of the States and the public opinion, until it shall be otherwise ordained by Congress; if a personal esteem for the French nation, formed in a residence of seven years, chiefly among them, and a sincere desire to preserve the friendship which has been so much for the honor and interest of both nations; if, while the conscious honor and integrity of the people of America, and the internal sentiment of their own power and energies must be preserved, an earnest endeavor to investigate every just cause, and remove every colorable pretence of complaint; if an intention to pursue, by amicable negotiation, a reparation for the injuries that have been committed on the commerce of our fellow-citizens, by whatever nation, and, if success cannot be obtained, to lay the facts before the Legislature, that they may con "And may that Being, who is supreme over all, the Patron of order, the Fountain of justice, and the Protector, in all ages of the world, of virtuous liberty, continue his blessing upon this nation and its Government, and give it all possible success and duration, consistent with the ends of His Providence." The oath of office was then administered to him by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, the Associate Justices attending. After which, the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES retired, and the Senate repaired to their own Chamber. On motion, WICK be a committee to wait on the PRESIDENT them. Mr. LANGDON reported, from the committee, that they had waited on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, who replied, that he had no communication to make to the Senate, except his good wishes for their health and prosperity, and a happy meeting with their families and friends. The Senate then adjourned without day. PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, AT THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FOURTH CONGRESS, BEGUN AND HELD AT THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, DECEMBER 5, 1796. MONDAY, December 5, 1796. This being the day appointed by the Constitution for the annual meeting of Congress, in the House of Representatives the following named members appeared and took their seats, viz: From New Hampshire.-ABIEL FOSTER, NICHOLAS GILMAN, JOHN S. SHERBURNE, and JEREMIAH SMITH. From Massachusetts.-FISHER AMES, THEOPHILUS BRADBURY, HENRY DEARBORN, DWIGHT FOSTER, NATHANIEL FREEMAN, Jr., SAMUEL LYMAN, WILLIAM LYMAN, JOHN REED, GEORGE THATCHER, JOSEPH B. VARNUM, and PELEG WADS From New York.-THEODORUS BAILEY, WILLIAM COOPER, EZEKIEL GILBERT, HENRY GLEN, JONATHAN N. HAVENS, JOHN E. VAN ALLEN, PHILIP VAN CORTLANDT, and JOHN WILLIAMS. From New Jersey.-JONATHAN DAYTON, AARON KITCHELL, and ISAAC SMITH. From Pennsylvania.-ALBERT GALLATIN, SAMUEL MACLAY, FREDERICK AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG, JOHN RICHARDS, SAMUEL SITGREAVES, and JOHN SWANWICK. From Delaware.-JOHN PATTON. From Maryland.-GEORGE DENT, WILLIAM HINDMAN, and RICHARD SPRIGG, Jun. From Virginia.-JOHN CLOPTON, ISAAC COLES, GEORGE JACKSON, JAMES MADISON, ANTHONY NEW, and ROBERT RUTHERFORD. - From Kentucky.-CHRISTOPHER GREENUP. From North Carolina.-THOMAS BLOUNT and MATTHEW LOCKE. From South Carolina.-WILLIAM SMITH. From Georgia.-ABRAHAM BALDWIN. The following new members appeared, produced, their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats, viz: From Tennessee.-ANDREW JACKSON. From Maryland.-WILLIAM CRAIK, in place of JEREMIAH CRABB, resigned. From Connecticut.-JAMES DAVENPORT, in place of JAMES HILLHOUSE, appointed a Senator of the United States. The SPEAKER laid before the House a Letter from the Governor of Pennsylvania, with the return of the election of GEORGE EGE, to serve as a member of the House in place of DANIEL HEISTER, resigned. A quorum, consisting of a majority of the whole number being present, it was ordered that the Clerk wait on the Senate, to inform them that this House was ready to proceed to business; but it appeared that the Senate had not been able to form a quorum by one member, and had adjourned. Mr. WILLIAM SMITH presented a petition from Thomas Lloyd, proposing to take, in short-hand, and publish the Debates of Congress at $1,000 per session salary. The expense of printing, &c. he estimated at $540, for which he would furnish the House with five hundred copies of that work; engaging to use every possible precaution, and pay prompt attention. Mr. S. referred to the unfavorable reception of a proposal of this nature at the last session, and supposed this would not be more successful; however, he moved that it be referred to a committee. The motion was agreed to, and Mr. W. SMITH, Mr. GALLATIN, and Mr. SWIFT, were appointed to examine the petition, and report thereon to the House. TUESDAY, December 6. Several other members, to wit: from Vermont, ISRAEL SMITH; from New Jersey, MARK THOMPSON; from Pennsylvania, RICHARD THOMAS; from Virginia, CARTER B. HARRISON, JOHN HEATH, and ABRAHAM VENABLE; and from North Carolina, JESSE FRANKLIN, WILLIAM BARRY GROVE, JAMES HOLLAND, and NATHANIEL MACON, appeared and took their seats in the House. The SPEAKER observed, that, as there were several returns of new elections of members to serve in this session, it was proper that, pursuant to a rule of the House, a Committee of Elections be appointed. A committee was accordingly appointed, of Mr. VENABLE, Mr. SWIFT, Mr. DENT, Mr. DEARBORN, Mr. BLOUNT, Mr. MUHLENBERG, and Mr. A. FOSTER. On motion, it was, therefore, resolved, that a committee of three members be appointed to wait [DECEMBER, 1796. WEDNESDAY, December 7. Another member, to wit: SAMUEL SEWALL, from Massachusetts, in place of BENJAMIN GOODHUE, appointed a Senator of the United States, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat. A message was sent to the Senate, informing them that this House was ready, agreeably to appointment, to receive communications from the PRESIDENT; whereon the Senate attended and took their seats. At 12 o'clock the PRESIDENT attended, and, after taking his seat, rose and de- of the House of Representatives: on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, in conjunction with a committee from the Senate, to inform him that a quorum of both Houses was assembled, and ready to receive any communica- In recurring to the internal situation of our country, tions that he may please to make. Mr. AMES, since I had last the pleasure to address you, I find amMr. MADISON, and Mr. SITGREAVES, were accord-ple reason for a renewed expression of that gratitude ingly appointed. to the Ruler of the Universe, which a continued series of prosperity has so often and so justly called forth. A message was received from the Senate informing the House that they had formed a quorum: whereupon the Clerk went to the Senate with the resolution of this House. The Secretary soon after returned, informing the House that the Senate had concurred in the resolution, and formed a committee for that purpose. PROMULGATION OF THE LAWS. The acts of the last session, which required special arrangements, have been, as far as circumstances would admit, carried into operation. Measures calculated to insure a continuance of the friendship of the Indians, and to preserve peace along the extent of our interior frontier, have been digested and adopted. In the framing of these, care has been taken to guard on the one hand our advanced settlements from the predatory incursions of those unruly individuals who cannot be restrained by their tribes; and on the other hand, to protect the rights secured to the Indians by Treaty; to draw them nearer to the civilized state; and inspire them with correct conceptions of the power, as well as justice of the Govern ment. Mr. W. SMITH said, that agreeably to an act passed the last session, the laws of the United States were publishing; but he observed that it would be of much more utility if the laws of the present session could be included; thus the whole of the present Congress would be inserted, together with the completion of the administration at Colraine, in the State of Georgia, which had for a The meeting of the deputies from the Creek nation of the present PRESIDENT. He observed, that such a motion passed at the last session in the principal object the purchase of a parcel of their land by that State, broke up without its being accomplished; Senate, but was negatived by this House, on ac- the nation having, previous to their departure, instructcount of its affecting the contract made for print- ed them against making any sale; the occasion, howing; but he believed, from the knowledge he had ever, has been improved, to confirm by a new Treaty gathered on the subject, no great difficulty could with the Creeks, their pre-existing engagements with be in the way of its accomplishment. He there- the United States; and to obtain their consent to the fore moved that a committee be appointed to pre-establishment of trading houses and military posts pare and bring in a bill to amend an act for the more general promulgation of the laws of the United States. A committee was appointed of Mr. GRISWOLD, Mr. WILLIAMS, and Mr. COLES. FURNISHING NEWSPAPERS. within their boundary; by means of which their friendship and the general peace may be more effectually se cured. priation was passed, for carrying in effect to the Treaty The period during the late session, at which the approof Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, between the United States and his Britannic Majesty, necessarily procrastinated the reception of the posts stipulated to On motion of Mr. BRADBURY, it was be delivered, beyond the date assigned for that event. Resolved, That the Clerk of this House cause As soon, however as the Governor General of Canada the members to be furnished, during the present could be addressed with propriety on the subject, arsession, with three newspapers printed in this rangements were cordially and promptly concluded for city, such as the members, respectively, shall their evacuation; and the United States took possession choose, to be delivered at their lodgings, provi- of the principal of them, comprehending Oswego, Nided, they do not exceed the price at which sub-agara, Detroit, Michilimakinac and Fort Miami, where scribers in Philadelphia are served. such repairs and additions have been ordered to be made as appeared indispensable. Mr. AMES, from the committee appointed for that purpose, reported that the committee had waited on the PRESIDENT, who was pleased to signify to them that he would make a communication to both Houses of Congress to-morrow, at 12 o'clock, in the Representatives' Chamber. The Commissioners appointed on the part of the United States and of Great Britain, to determine which is the river St. Croix, mentioned in the Treaty of Peace of 1783, agreed in the choice of Egbert Benson, Esq., of New York for the third Commissioner. The whole met at St. Andrew's, in Passamaquoddy bay, in the be ginning of October, and directed surveys to be made of the rivers in dispute; but deeming it impracticable to have these surveys completed before the next year, they adjourned to meet at Boston in August, 1797, for the final decision of the question. Other Commissioners appointed on the part of the United States, agreeably to the seventh article of the Treaty with Great Britain, relative to captures and condemnation of vessels and other property, met the Commissioners of His Britannic Majesty in London, in August last, when John Trumbull, Esquire, was chosen by lot for the fifth Commissioner. In October following the Board were to proceed to business. As yet there has been no communication of Commissioners on the part of Great Britain, to unite with those who have been appointed on the part of the United States, for carrying into effect the sixth article of the Treaty. The Treaty with Spain required that the Commissioners for running the boundary line, between the territory of the United States and His Catholic Majesty's Provinces of East and West Florida, should meet at the Natchez, before the expiration of six months after the exchange of the ratifications, which was effected at Aranjuez on the twenty-fifth day of April; and the troops of His Catholic Majesty occupying any posts within the limits of the United States, were within the same period to be withdrawn. The Commissioner of the United States, therefore, commenced his journey for the Natchez in September, and troops were ordered to occupy the posts from which the Spanish garrison should be withdrawn. Information has been recently received of the appointment of a Commissioner on the part of His Catholic Majesty for running the boundary line, but none of any appointment for the adjustment of the claims of our citizens whose vessels were captured by the armed vessels of Spain. In pursuance of the act of Congress, passed in the last session, for the protection and relief of American seamen, agents were appointed, one to reside in Great Britain and the other in the West Indies. The effects of the agency in the West Indies are not yet fully ascertained; but those which have been communicated afford grounds to believe the measure will be beneficial. The agent destined to reside in Great Britain declining to accept the appointment, the business has consequently devolved on the Minister of the United States in London, and will command his attention until a new agent shall be appointed. After many delays and disappointments, arising out of the European war, the final arrangements for fulfilling the engagements made to the Dey and Regency of Algiers, will, in all present appearance, be crowned with success, but under great, though inevitable disadvantages in the pecuniary transactions, occasioned by that war, which will render a further provision necessary. The actual liberation of all our citizens who were prisoners in Algiers, while it gratifies every feeling heart, is itself an earnest of a satisfactory termination of the whole negotiation. Measures are in operation for effecting Treaties with the Regencies of Tunis and Tripoli. To an active external commerce, the protection of a Naval force is indispensable: this is manifest with regard to wars in which a State is itself a party. But besides this, it is in our own experience, that the most sincere neutrality is not a sufficient guard against the depredations of nations at war. To secure respect to neutral flag, requires a Naval force, organized and [H. OF R. ready to vindicate it from insult or aggression. This may even prevent the necessity of going to war, by discouraging belligerant Powers from committing such violations of the rights of the neutral party as may, first or last, leave no other option. From the best information I have been able to obtain, it would seem as if our trade to the Mediterranean, without a protecting force, will always be insecure, and our citizens exposed. to the calamities from which numbers of them have but just been relieved. These considerations invite the United States to look to the means, and to set about the gradual creation of a Navy. The increasing progress of their navigation promises them, at 120 distant period, the requisite supply of seamen; and their means in other respects favor the undertaking. It is an encouragement likewise that their particular situation will give weight and influence to a moderate Naval force in their hands. Will it not, then, be advisable to begin, without delay, to provide and lay up the materials for the building and equip ping of ships of war, and to proceed in the work by degrees, in proportion as our resources shall render it practicable without inconvenience; so that a future war of Europe may not find our commerce in the sa.me unprotected state in which it was found by the present! directed their attention to the encouragement of manuCongress have repeatedly, and not without success, factures. The object is of too much consequence not to insure a continuance of their efforts in every way which shall appear eligible. As a general rule, manufactures on public account are inexpedient. But where the state of things in a country leaves but little hope that certain branches of manufacture will for a great length of time obtain, when these are of a nature essential to the furnishing and equipping of the public force in time of war; are not establishments for procuring them on public account, to the extent of the or dinary demand for the public service, recommended by strong considerations of national policy, as an exception to the general rule? Ought our country to remain in such cases dependant on foreign supply, precarious, because liable to be interrupted? If the necessary articles should in this mode cost more in time of peace, will not the security and independence thence arising form an ample compensation? Establishments of this sort, commensurate only with the calls of the public service in time of peace, will, in time of war, easily be extended in proportion to the exigencies of the Government, and may even, perhaps, be made to yield a surplus for the supply of our citizens at large, so as to mitigate the privations from the interruption of their trade. If adopted, the plan ought to exclude all those branches which are already, or likely soon to be es tablished in the country, in order that there may be no danger of interference with pursuits of individual industry. It will not be doubted that with reference either to individual or national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as nations advance in population, and other circumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more apparent, and renders the cultivation of the soil more and more an object of public patronage, Institutions for promoting it grow up, supported by the public purse; and to what object can it be dedicated with greater propriety? Among the means which have been employed to this end, none have been attended with greater success than the establishment of Boards, composed of proper characters, charged with collecting and diffusing information, and enabled by premiums, |