Yeas.—Messrs. Bingham, Chipman, Dayton, Dexter, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, Hillhouse, Latimer, Laurance, Livermore, Lloyd, Paine, Read, Ross, Schureman, Tracy, and Wells.
Nays.—Messrs. Anderson, Baldwin, Bloodworth, Brown, Cocke, Franklin, Langdon, Marshall, Mason, Nicholas, and Pinckney.
So the report of the committee was adopted.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act to extend the privilege of franking letters and packages to Martha Washington."
The bill, sent from the House of Representatives entitled "An act to extend the privilege of franking letters and packages to Martha Washington," was read the second time; and, by unanimous consent, it was read the third time and passed.
The bill for the defence of the merchant vessels of the United States was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. Goodhue, Nicholas, and Tracy, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.
The bill "for the removal and accommodation of the Government of the United States" was read the second time and referred to Messrs. Ross, Lloyd, and Hillhouse, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.
The bill to repeal the "Act laying duties on mills and implements employed in the manufacture of snuff," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. Bingham, Livermore, and Laurance, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.
The bill permitting the exportation of some gunpowder, also a number of muskets and cutlasses, was read the second time and ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. Chipman, from the committee to whom was referred on the 12th March last, to inquire what amendments are necessary in the act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States, reported a bill on the subject; which was read and ordered to the second reading.
The Senate took into consideration the report of the committee on the petition of Thomas Burling and others, inhabitants of the Mississippi Territory; and the report was adopted.
The Senate took into consideration the report of the committee on the bill to amend the act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States; the first clause of which is as follows:
Strike out the whole of the bill after the word "serve," in third line, and insert "in the Courts of the United States, shall be designated by lot, or otherwise, in each State or district respectively, according to the mode of forming juries, to serve in the highest courts of law therein, now practised; so far as the same shall render such designation practicable by the Courts and Marshals of the United States."
On motion to strike out all that follows the word "otherwise," in the fourth line of the report, for the purpose of inserting the following:
"Summoned or procured in each State respectively, according to the mode directed and prescribed by the laws of each State respectively, so far as such laws shall render the same practicable by the Courts or Marshals of the United States; and where the State mode cannot be used in the Courts of the United States, the Marshal attending such Courts shall, every day the Court sits, summon a sufficient number of persons to attend the Court that day, that out of them may be impannelled sufficient juries for the trial of all causes (except cases punishable with death) depending in such Courts; and if any person so summoned shall fail to attend the Court accordingly, he shall be fined eight dollars, to the use of the United States:"
A division of the motion was called for, and the question was taken on striking out, which passed in the negative—yeas 9, nays 16, as follows:
Yeas.—Messrs. Anderson, Bloodworth, Brown, Cocke, Franklin, Langdon, Marshall, Mason, and Nicholas.
Nays.—Messrs. Bingham, Dayton, Dexter, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, Gunn, Hillhouse, Howard, Latimer, Livermore, Read, Ross, Schureman, Tracy, and Wells.
And it was agreed, that the bill pass to the third reading as amended.[47]
The Vice President having, by letter, intimated his desire to be excused from further attendance, as it would probably be the last day of the session, the Senate proceeded to the choice of a President pro tempore, as the constitution provides, and Uriah Tracy was duly elected.
The bill entitled "An act to permit, in certain cases, the bringing of slaves into the Mississippi Territory," was read the third time. On the question to agree to the final passage thereof, it passed in the negative—yeas 5, nays 14, as follows:
Yeas.—Messrs. Anderson, Cocke, Marshall, Pinckney, and Read.
Nays.—Messrs. Baldwin, Bingham, Bloodworth, Brown, Dayton, Foster, Franklin, Greene, Hillhouse, Laurance, Livermore, Mason, Morris, and Ross.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House disagree to the amendment of the Senate to the bill regulating the grants of land for the refugees from the British provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia.
The Senate considered the resolution of the House of Representatives on the amendment of the Senate to the bill last mentioned.
Resolved, That they adhere to their amendment.
Mr. Ross, from the committee on the bill making grants of lands to the inhabitants of Vincennes, and Illinois country, reported the bill without amendment, and it was agreed to postpone the bill to the next session of Congress.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that they have appointed a committee on their part, with such as the Senate may join, to wait on the President of the United States and notify him that, unless he hath any further communications to make to the two Houses of Congress, they are ready to adjourn; and they desire the appointment of a committee on the part of the Senate.
The Senate agreed to the resolution of the House of Representatives appointing a committee, jointly with such as the Senate may appoint, to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him of the proposed adjournment of the two Houses of Congress; and it was ordered that Messrs. Bingham and Wells be the committee on the part of the Senate.
Mr. Bingham reported, from the joint committee last mentioned, that the President of the United States had no further communication to make to Congress at this time than his best wishes for their safe return to their respective places of abode.
On motion that it be
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to instruct the proper law officer to commence and carry on a prosecution against William Duane, editor of the newspaper called the Aurora, for certain false, defamatory, scandalous, and malicious publications, in the said newspaper, on the 19th of February last past, tending to defame the Senate of the United States, and to bring them into contempt and disrepute, and to excite against them the hatred of the good people of the United States:
It passed in the affirmative—yeas 13, nays 4, as follows:
Yeas.—Messrs. Bingham, Dayton, Foster, Greene, Gunn, Latimer, Laurance, Livermore, Morris, Read, Ross, Tracy, and Wells.
Nays.—Messrs. Bloodworth, Brown, Cocke, Franklin.
Ordered, That the Secretary lay an attested copy of the foregoing resolution before the President of the United States.
Resolved, That the thanks of the Senate of the United States be presented to the Commissioners of the city and county of Philadelphia, for the convenient and elegant accommodations furnished by them for the use of the Senate, during the residence of the National Government in the city; and that the President of the Senate be requested to convey this resolution in a letter to the said Commissioners.
The President, agreeably to the joint resolution of the 12th instant, adjourned the Senate, to meet again on the third Monday of November next, as the law provides.
This being the constitutional day for the annual meeting of Congress, the following members of the House of Representatives appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats, viz:
From New Hampshire.—Abiel Foster, Jonathan Freeman, and William Gordon.
From Massachusetts.—Bailey Bartlett, Phanuel Bishop, Dwight Foster, Harrison G. Otis, Silas Lee, Samuel Lyman, John Reed, Samuel Sewall, Theodore Sedgwick, William Shepard, George Thatcher, Joseph B. Varnum, Peleg Wadsworth, and Lemuel Williams.
From Connecticut.—Jonathan Brace, Samuel W. Dana, John Davenport, William Edmond, Chauncey Goodrich, Elizur Goodrich, and Roger Griswold.
From Rhode Island.—John Brown, and Christopher G. Champlin.
From Vermont.—Matthew Lyon, and Lewis R. Morris.
From New York.—Theodorus Bailey, John Bird, William Cooper, Lucas Elmendorph, Henry Glenn, Edward Livingston, Jonas Platt, John Thompson, and Philip Van Cortlandt.
From New Jersey.—John Condit, Franklin Davenport, James H. Imlay, Aaron Kitchell, and James Linn.
From Pennsylvania.—Robert Brown, Andrew Gregg, Albert Gallatin, John A. Hanna, Joseph Heister, John Wilkes Kittera, Michael Leib, Peter Muhlenberg, John Smilie, Richard Thomas, Robert Waln, and Henry Woods.
From Maryland.—George Baer, William Craik, Gabriel Christie, George Dent, Joseph H. Nicholson, Samuel Smith, and John Chew Thomas.
From Virginia.—John Dawson, Thomas Evans, David Holmes, George Jackson, John Marshall, John Nicholas, Anthony New, Leven Powell, John Randolph, Abram Trigg, and John Trigg.
From North Carolina.—Willis Alston, Joseph Dickson, Archibald Henderson, William H. Hill, Nathaniel Macon, Richard Stanford, and David Stone.
From South Carolina.—Robert Goodloe Harper, Abraham Nott, John Rutledge, Jr., and Thomas Sumter.
From Georgia.—James Jones, Benjamin Taliaferro.
From Tennessee.—William Charles Cole Claiborne.
A quorum of the whole number of members being present, the House proceeded to the election of a Speaker; when, on counting the ballots, the tellers reported that Mr. Sedgwick had 42 votes; Mr. Macon, 27; Mr. Dent, 13; Mr. Rutledge, 2; Mr. Sumter, 1.
That the whole number of votes was 85, and the rules of the House requiring a majority of the members present to constitute a choice, neither of the above gentlemen were elected.
The House then proceeded to a second trial; when Mr. Sedgwick had 44 votes; Mr. Macon, 38; Mr. Dent, 3; Mr. Rutledge, 1.
Whereupon Mr. Sedgwick was declared duly elected, and conducted to the chair accordingly.
Mr. Sedgwick, upon taking the chair, addressed the House in the following words:
"Gentlemen: Although I am conscious of a deficiency of the talents which are desirable to discharge with usefulness and dignity the important duties of the high station to which I am raised, by the generous regard of the enlightened and virtuous representatives of my country, yet, reposing myself on the energy of their candid support, I will not shrink from the attempt.
"Accept, I pray you, gentlemen, my grateful acknowledgment of the honor you are pleased to confer; and, with it, an assurance, that no consideration shall seduce me to deviate, in the least degree, from a direct line of impartial integrity."
A message was received from the Senate, informing the House that, a sufficient number of members appearing to form a quorum, they had proceeded to the choice of a President pro tempore, when Hon. Samuel Livermore was elected.
The House proceeded to the choice of a Clerk; when it appeared Jonathan W. Condy had 47 votes, John Beckley, 39.
Whereupon Mr. Condy was declared by the Speaker to be duly elected.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the Senate, to inform that body of the election of the Hon. Theodore Sedgwick, as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
On motion of Mr. Macon, the House proceeded to the choice of a Sergeant-at-Arms, Doorkeeper, and Assistant Doorkeeper; when Joseph Wheaton, Thomas Claxton, and Thomas Dunn, were unanimously elected.
The oath to support the Constitution of the United States, as prescribed by the act, entitled "An act to regulate the time and manner of administering certain oaths," was administered by Mr. Rutledge, one of the Representatives for the State of South Carolina, to the Speaker, and then the same oath or affirmation was administered by Mr. Speaker to each of the members present.
William Henry Harrison having also appeared, as a Representative for the territory of the United States north-west of the river Ohio, the said oath was administered to him by Mr. Speaker.
The same affirmation, together with the affirmation of office prescribed by the said recited act, were also administered by Mr. Speaker to the Clerk.
A message was received from the Senate, informing the House, that they had passed a resolution, appointing a joint committee to wait on the President of the United States, and inform him that Congress had met and were ready to receive any communications he might think proper to make; and, in case of concurrence, that Messrs. Read and Bingham were appointed a committee on behalf of the Senate.
The House concurred in the resolution, and Messrs. Marshall, Rutledge, and Sewall, were appointed to wait on the President, in conjunction with the committee from the Senate.
The following letter was read by the Speaker.
72 Welbeck-Street, London,
September 20, 1798.
Sir: I beg leave, through you, to offer to the House of Representatives of the United States, impressions of the two prints of the American Revolution, which I have lately caused to be published.[48]
The importance of the events, and the illustrious characters of the two great men to whose memory they are particularly devoted, give to these works their best claim to your notice; and the patriotism of my countrymen, I trust, will give them a kinder reception than their intrinsic merit might entitle me to hope.
With great respect, I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
JNO. TRUMBULL.
The Speaker of the House of Reps. U. S.
Resolved, That the rules and orders of proceeding established by the late House of Representatives, shall be deemed and taken to be the rules and orders of proceeding to be observed in this House, until a revision or alteration of the same shall take place.
Resolved, That each member be furnished with three newspapers, printed in this city, during the session, at the expense of this House.
Mr. Marshall, from the joint committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, reported, that they had performed that service; and that the President had appointed to-morrow forenoon, 12 o'clock, to meet both Houses in the Representatives' Chamber.
The House then adjourned, till to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock.
James A. Bayard, from Delaware, appeared produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the House.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the Senate to inform them that this House is now ready to attend them in receiving the communication from the President of the United States, agreeably to his notification to both Houses yesterday.
The Senate attended and took seats in the House; when, both Houses being assembled, the President of the United States came into the Representatives' Chamber, and addressed them as follows. (For the Speech, see Senate proceedings, ante.)
The President of the United States then withdrew and the two Houses separated.
A copy of the Speech being delivered by the President to the Speaker, and read by the Clerk, it was ordered, that it be committed to a Committee of the whole House to-morrow.
Mr. Livingston said he conceived some notice ought to be taken of the letter received from Mr. Trumbull, and therefore moved that it be referred to a select committee. Agreed to, and Messrs. Livingston, Taliaferro, and Hill, were appointed.
The House went into a Committee of the Whole on the President's Speech, Mr. Rutledge in the chair. The Speech having been read,
Mr. Marshall moved the following resolution, which was agreed to by the committee, viz:
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that a respectful Address ought to be presented by the House of Representatives to the President of the United States, in answer to his Speech to both Houses of Congress, on the opening of the present session, containing assurances that this House will duly attend to the important objects recommended by him to their consideration.
The committee rose, and the resolution having been agreed to by the House, Messrs. Marshall, Rutledge, Sewall, Livingston, and Nicholas, were appointed a committee to draft the Address.
Mr. Marshall, from the committee appointed to draft an Address in answer to the Speech of the President of the United States, at the commencement of the present session, reported the same, which was committed to a Committee of the Whole on Monday next, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Livingston, from the committee to whom was referred the letter of Mr. Trumbull, reported the following resolution, which was adopted by the House:
"Resolved, That the two elegant prints offered by Mr. Trumbull, be accepted; and that the Speaker be instructed to write an answer, expressive of the pleasure with which this House has observed his genius and talents exerted in the patriotic task of celebrating the events which led to his country's independence, and dedicated to the memory of those heroes who fell in its defence."
Josiah Parker and Robert Page, from Virginia, appeared, produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the Address to be presented to the President of the United States in answer to his Speech to both Houses, at the commencement of the present session.
Mr. Gregg moved, that the words distinguished by italics, in the third and fourth lines of the second paragraph of the Address, be struck out, and that the words "act in" be inserted in their stead; which produced a short debate, and was finally negatived.
The committee then rose, and the Address was reported without amendment; and was agreed to by the House, in the words following, viz:
To the President of the United States:
Sir: While the House of Representatives contemplate the flattering prospects of abundance from the labors of the people, by land and by sea, the prosperity of our extended commerce, notwithstanding the interruptions occasioned by the belligerent state of a great part of the world, the return of health, industry and trade, to those cities which have lately been afflicted with disease, and the various and inestimable advantages, civil and religious, which, secured under our happy frame of Government, are continued to us unimpaired, we cannot fail to offer up to the benevolent Deity our sincere thanks for these the merciful dispensations of his protecting Providence.
That any portion of the people of America should permit themselves, amid such numerous blessings, to be seduced by the arts and misrepresentations of designing men into an open resistance of a law of the United States, cannot be heard without deep and serious regret. Under a constitution where the public burdens can only be imposed by the people themselves, for their own benefit, and to promote their own objects, a hope might well have been indulged that the general interest would have been too well understood, and the general welfare too highly prized, to have produced in any of our citizens a disposition to hazard so much felicity, by the criminal effort of a part, to oppose with lawless violence the will of the whole. While we lament that depravity which could produce a defiance of the civil authority, and render indispensable the aid of the military force of the nation, real consolation is to be derived from the promptness and fidelity with which that aid was afforded. That zealous and active co-operation with the judicial power, of the volunteers and militia called into service, which has restored order and submission to the laws, is a pleasing evidence of the attachment of out fellow-citizens to their own free Government, and of the truly patriotic alacrity with which they will support it.
To give due effect to the civil administration of Government, and to ensure a just execution of the laws, are objects of such real magnitude as to secure proper attention to your recommendation of a revision and amendment of the judiciary system.
Highly approving, as we do, the pacific and humane policy which has been invariably professed and sincerely pursued by the Executive authority of the United States, a policy which our best interests enjoined and of which honor has permitted the observance, we consider as the most unequivocal proof of your inflexible perseverance in the same well chosen system, your preparation to meet the first indications on the part of the French Republic, of a disposition to accommodate the existing differences between the two countries, by a nomination of Ministers on certain conditions, which the honor of our country unquestionably dictated, and which its moderation had certainly given it a right to prescribe. When the assurances thus required of the French Government, previous to the departure of our Envoys, had been given through their Minister of Foreign Relations, the direction that they should proceed on their mission, was, on your part, a completion of the measure, and manifests the sincerity with which it was commenced. We offer up our fervent prayers to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for the success of their embassy, and that it may be productive of peace and happiness to our common country. The uniform tenor of your conduct, through a life useful to your fellow-citizens and honorable to yourself, gives a sure pledge of the sincerity with which the avowed objects of the negotiation will be pursued on your part, and we earnestly pray that similar dispositions may be displayed on the part of France. The differences which unfortunately subsist between the two nations, cannot fail, in that event, to be happily terminated. To produce this end, to all so desirable, firmness, moderation, and union at home, constitute, we are persuaded, the surest means. The character of the gentlemen you have deputed, and still more, the character of the Government which deputes them, are safe pledges to their country, that nothing incompatible with its honor or interest, nothing inconsistent with our obligations of good faith or friendship to any other nation, will be stipulated.
We learn, with pleasure, that our citizens, with their property, trading to those ports of St. Domingo with which commercial intercourse has been renewed, have been duly respected, and that privateering from those ports has ceased.
With you, we sincerely regret that the execution of the sixth article of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, with Great Britain, an article produced by a mutual spirit of amity and justice, should have been unavoidably interrupted. We doubt not the same spirit of amity, and the same sense of justice in which it originated, will lead to satisfactory explanations; and we hear with approbation that our Minister at London will be immediately instructed to obtain them. While the engagements which America has contracted by her treaty with Great Britain, ought to be fulfilled with that scrupulous punctuality and good faith to which our Government has ever so tenaciously adhered, yet no motive exists to induce, and every principle forbids us to adopt a construction which might extend them beyond the instrument by which they are created. We cherish the hope that the Government of Great Britain will disclaim such extension, and by cordially uniting with that of the United States for the removal of all difficulties, will soon enable the boards appointed under the sixth and seventh articles of our treaty with that nation, to proceed, and bring the business committed to them respectively to a satisfactory conclusion.
The buildings for the accommodation of Congress, and of the President, and for the public offices of the Government at its permanent seat, being in such a state as to admit of a removal to that District by the time prescribed by the act of Congress, no obstacle, it is presumed, will exist to a compliance with the law.
With you, sir, we deem the present period critical and momentous. The important changes which are occurring, the new and great events which are every hour preparing in the political world, the spirit of war which is prevalent in almost every nation with whose affairs the interests of the United States have any connection, demonstrate how unsafe and precarious would be our situation, should we neglect the means of maintaining our just rights. Respecting, as we have ever done, the rights of others, America estimates too correctly the value of her own, and has received evidence too complete that they are only to be preserved by her own vigilance, ever to permit herself to be seduced by a love of ease, or by other considerations, into that deadly disregard of the means of self-defence, which could only result from a carelessness as criminal as it would be fatal concerning the future destinies of our growing Republic. The result of the mission to France is, indeed, sir, uncertain. It depends not on America alone. The most pacific temper will not always ensure peace. We should therefore exhibit a system of conduct as indiscreet as it would be new in the history of the world, if we considered the negotiation happily terminated because we have attempted to commence it, and peace restored because we wish its restoration. But, sir, however this mission may terminate, a steady perseverance in a system of national defence, commensurate with our resources and the situation of our country, is an obvious dictate of duty. Experience, the parent of wisdom, and the great instructor of nations, has established the truth of your position, that, remotely as we are placed from the belligerent nations, and desirous as we are, by doing justice to all, to avoid offence to any, yet nothing short of the power of repelling aggressions will secure to our country a rational prospect of escaping the calamities of war or national degradation.
In the progress of the session, we shall take into our serious consideration the various and important matters recommended to our attention.
A life devoted to the service of your country, talents and integrity which have so justly acquired and so long retained the confidence and affection of your fellow-citizens, attest the sincerity of your declaration, that it is your anxious desire so to execute the trust reposed in you as to render the people of the United States prosperous and happy.
Resolved, That the Speaker, attended by the House, do present the said Address.
Messrs. Marshall, Rutledge, and Sewall, were appointed a committee to wait on the President, to know when and where he would be ready to receive the Address; and having performed that service, reported, that the President had appointed to-morrow, two o'clock, for that purpose, at his own house.
Ordered, That the credentials of William Henry Harrison, who has appeared as a Delegate from the territory of the United States north-west of the river Ohio, be referred to the Committee of Elections; and that they be directed to report whether the Territory is entitled to elect a Delegate who may have a seat in this House.
Matthew Clay, from Virginia, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the House.
The hour having arrived which the President had appointed, Mr. Speaker, attended by the members present, proceeded to the President's house, to present him their Address in answer to his Speech at the opening of the present session; and having returned, the President's reply thereto was read, as follows:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
This very respectful address from the Representatives of the people of the United States at their first assembly, after a fresh election, under the strong impression of the public opinion and national sense, at this interesting and singular crisis of our public affairs, has excited my sensibility, and receives my sincere and grateful acknowledgments.
As long as we can maintain, with harmony and affection, the honor of our country, consistently with its peace, externally and internally, while that is attainable, or in war, when that becomes necessary, assert its real independence and sovereignty, and support the constitutional energies and dignity of its government, we may be perfectly sure, under the smiles of Divine Providence, that we shall effectually promote and extend our national interests and happiness.
The applause of the Senate and House of Representatives, so justly bestowed upon the volunteers and militia, for their zealous and active co-operation with the judicial power, which has restored order and submission to the laws, as it comes with peculiar weight and propriety from the Legislature, cannot fail to have an extensive and permanent effect, for the support of Government, upon all those ingenuous minds who receive delight from the approving and animating voice of their country.
JOHN ADAMS.
United States, December 10.
And then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning, 11 o'clock.
Henry Lee, from Virginia, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the House.
Mr. Harper said, that a difficulty had arisen in the State of Pennsylvania, relative to the execution of the law "for the valuation of lands and dwelling-houses, and for the enumeration of slaves, within the United States," which the Commissioners for that State did not conceive themselves competent to decide upon; that the Commissioners had referred the case to the Secretary of the Treasury, whose opinion it was, that they were possessed of sufficient power to obviate the difficulties complained of; but the Commissioners, on again taking the subject into consideration, were still of opinion they were unable to act without legislative aid, and therefore had made application to the Committee of Ways and Means, who, Mr. H. said, had directed him to move for leave to bring in a bill, further to amend the act entitled "An act to provide for the valuation of lands and dwelling-houses, and for the enumeration of slaves within the United States," which was granted.
Mr. Harper laid the following resolution on the table.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill, extending the privilege of franking to W. H. Harrison, a delegate from the territory of the United States north-west of the river Ohio, and making provision for his compensation.
Mr. H. said, that according to law, that gentleman had the right only of speaking and giving his opinion upon any question before the House, but was not entitled to a vote, or any other privilege; but as the privileges of a member had been extended on a former occasion to a delegate from the South-western Territory, he had no doubt they would be granted on the present.
Thomas Hartley, from Pennsylvania, and Joseph Eggleston, from Virginia, appeared, produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats in the House.
Mr. Marshall, in a voice that bespoke the anguish of his mind, and a countenance expressive of the deepest regret, rose, and delivered himself as follows:
Mr. Speaker: Information has just been received, that our illustrious fellow-citizen, the Commander-in-Chief of the American Army, and the late President of the United States, is no more!
Though this distressing intelligence is not certain, there is too much reason to believe its truth. After receiving information of this national calamity, so heavy and so afflicting, the House of Representatives can be but ill fitted for public business. I move you, therefore, they adjourn.
The motion was unanimously agreed to; and then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning, 11 o'clock.
Samuel Goode, from Virginia, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the House.
Mr. Marshall addressed the Chair as follows:
Mr. Speaker: The melancholy event which was yesterday announced with doubt, has been rendered but too certain. Our Washington is no more! The Hero, the Sage, and the Patriot of America—the man on whom in times of danger every eye was turned and all hopes were placed—lives now only in his own great actions, and in the hearts of an affectionate and afflicted people.
If, sir, it had even not been usual openly to testify respect for the memory of those whom Heaven had selected as its instruments for dispensing good to men, yet such has been the uncommon worth, and such the extraordinary incidents which have marked the life of him whose loss we all deplore, that the whole American nation, impelled by the same feelings, would call with one voice for a public manifestation of that sorrow which is so deep and so universal.
More than any other individual, and as much as to any one individual was possible, has he contributed to found this our wide-spreading empire, and to give to the Western world its independence and its freedom.
Having effected the great object for which he was placed at the head of our armies, we have seen him converting the sword into the ploughshare, and voluntarily sinking the soldier in the citizen.
When the debility of our federal system had become manifest, and the bonds which connected the parts of this vast continent were dissolving, we have seen him the Chief of those patriots who formed for us a constitution, which, by preserving the Union, will, I trust, substantiate and perpetuate those blessings our Revolution had promised to bestow.
In obedience to the general voice of his country, calling on him to preside over a great people, we have seen him once more quit the retirement he loved, and in a season more stormy and tempestuous than war itself, with calm and wise determination, pursue the true interests of the nation, and contribute, more than any other could contribute, to the establishment of that system of policy which will, I trust, yet preserve our peace, our honor, and our independence.
Having been twice unanimously chosen the Chief Magistrate of a free people, we see him at a time when his re-election, with the universal suffrage, could not have been doubted, affording to the world a rare instance of moderation, by withdrawing from his high station to the peaceful walks of private life.
However the public confidence may change, and the public affections fluctuate with respect to others, yet with respect to him they have in war and in peace, in public and in private life, been as steady as his own firm mind, and as constant as his own exalted virtues.
Let us then, Mr. Speaker, pay the last tribute of respect and affection to our departed friend—let the Grand Council of the nation display those sentiments which the nation feels.
For this purpose I hold in my hand some resolutions, which I will take the liberty to offer to the House.
Mr. Marshall having handed them in at the table, they were read, and unanimously agreed to by the House, in the words following, to wit: