To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States:
I transmit to Congress copies of a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, from Captain Decatur, of the frigate United States, reporting his combat and capture of the British frigate Macedonian. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on that officer and his companions on board, for the consummate skill and conspicuous valor by which this trophy has been added to the naval arms of the United States.
I transmit, also, a letter from Captain Jones, who commanded the sloop of war Wasp, reporting his capture of the British sloop of war Frolic, after a close action, in which other brilliant titles will be seen to the public admiration and praise.
A nation, feeling what it owes to itself and to its citizens, could never abandon to arbitrary violence, on the ocean, a class of them which give such examples of capacity and courage, in defending their rights on that element; examples which ought to impress on the enemy, however brave and powerful, preference of justice and peace, to hostility against a country, whose prosperous career may be accelerated, but cannot be prevented by the assaults made on it.
JAMES MADISON.
Washington, Dec. 11, 1812.
The Message and papers were read, and referred to the committee appointed 9th November last, to consider that part of the Message of the President of the United States which relates to the Naval Establishment.
Death of the Representative, John Smilie.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate of the death of John Smilie, late a member of the House of Representatives, from the State of Pennsylvania; and that his remains will be interred this day at two o'clock.
Resolved, That the Senate will attend the funeral of John Smilie, late a member of the House of Representatives from the State of Pennsylvania, this day at two o'clock; and, as a testimony of respect for the memory of the deceased, they will go into mourning, and wear a black crape round the left arm for thirty days.
The credentials of John Gaillard, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of South Carolina, for six years, commencing on the 4th day of March next, were presented, read, and ordered to lie on file.
The credentials of Abner Lacock, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania for the term of six years, commencing on the 4th day of March next, were read, and ordered to lie on file.
James A. Bayard, from the State of Delaware, arrived on the 9th instant, and attended this day.
Capture of British Vessels.
The following Message was received from the President of the United States:
To the Senate of the United States:
I transmit to the Senate copies of the correspondence called for by their resolution of the 7th instant.
JAMES MADISON.
January 13, 1813.
The Message and papers therein referred to were read, and referred to the committee appointed the 9th November, on so much of the Message of the President of the United States as relates to the Naval Establishment, to consider and report thereon.
The documents are as follow:
Black Rock, October 9, 1812.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, on the morning of the 8th instant, two British vessels, which I was informed were His Britannic Majesty's brig Detroit, late the United States' brig Adams, and the brig Hunter, mounting fourteen guns, but which afterwards proved to be the brig Caledonia, both said to be well armed and manned, came down the lake, and anchored under the protection of Fort Erie. Having been on the lines for some time, and in a measure inactively employed, I determined to make an attack, and, if possible, get possession of them; a strong inducement to this attempt arose from a conviction that, with those two vessels, added to those which I have purchased and am fitting out, I should be able to meet the remainder of the British force on the upper lakes, and save an incalculable expense and labor to the Government. On the morning of their arrival, I heard that our seamen were but a short distance from this place, and immediately despatched an express to the officers, directing them to use all possible despatch in getting the men to this place, as I had important service to perform. On their arrival, which was about 12 o'clock, I discovered that they had only twenty pistols, and neither cutlasses nor battle axes; but on application to Generals Smyth and Hall, of the regulars and militia, I was supplied with a few arms, and General Smyth was so good, on my request, as immediately to detach fifty men from the regulars, armed with muskets; by four o'clock, in the afternoon, I had my men selected and stationed in two boats which I had previously prepared for the purpose; with those boats, fifty men in each, and under circumstances very disadvantageous, my men having had scarcely time to refresh themselves, after a fatiguing march of five hundred miles, I put off from the mouth of Buffalo creek, at one o'clock the following morning; and at three I was alongside the vessels; in about ten minutes I had the prisoners all secured, the topsails sheeted home, and the vessels under way; unfortunately the wind was not sufficiently strong to get me up against a rapid current into the lake, where I understood another armed vessel lay at anchor, and I was obliged to run down the river by the forts, under a heavy fire of round, grape, and canister, from a number of pieces of heavy ordnance, and several pieces of flying artillery; was compelled to anchor at a distance of about four hundred yards from two of their batteries. After the discharge of the first gun, which was from the flying artillery, I hauled to the shore, and observed to the officer that if another gun was fired, I would bring the prisoners on deck, and expose them to the fate we should all share; but notwithstanding they disregarded the caution, continuing a constant and destructive fire, one single moment's reflection determined me not to commit an act that would subject me to the imputation of barbarity. The Caledonia had been beached in as safe a position as the circumstances would admit of, under one of our batteries at Black Rock; I now brought all the guns of the Detroit on one side, next the enemy, stationed the men at them, and directed a fire, which was continued as long as our ammunition lasted, and circumstances permitted. During the contest, I endeavored to get the Detroit on our side, by sending a line (there being no wind) on shore, with all the line I could muster; but the current being so strong the boat could not reach the shore. I then hauled on shore, and requested that warps should be made fast on the land and sent on board, the attempt to do which again proved useless. As the fire was such as would, in all probability, sink the vessel in a short time, I determined to drop down the river, out of reach of the batteries, and make a stand against the flying artillery. I accordingly cut the cable and made sail, with very light airs, and at that instant discovered that the pilot had abandoned me. I dropped astern, for about ten minutes, when I was brought up on our shore, on Squaw Island; got the boarding boat made, had all the prisoners put in and sent on shore, with directions for the officer to return for me, and what property we could get from the brig; he did not return, owing to the difficulty of the boat's getting ashore. Discovering a skiff under the counter, I sent the four remaining prisoners in the boat, and, with my officer, I went on shore to bring the boat off; I asked for protection to the brig of Lieutenant Colonel Scott, who readily gave it; at this moment I discovered a boat, with about forty soldiers, from the British side, making for the brig; they got on board, but were soon compelled to abandon her, with the loss of nearly all their men. During the whole of this morning both sides of the river kept up, alternately, a constant fire on the brig, and so much injured her that it was impossible to have floated her. Before I left her, she had received twelve shot, of large size, in her bends, her sails in ribands, and her rigging all cut to pieces. To my officers and men, I feel under great obligations; to Captain Towson, and Lieutenant Roach, of the second regiment of artillery; Ensign Presstman, of the infantry; to Cornelius Chapin, Mr. John McComb, Messrs. John Tower, Thomas Davis, Peter Overtacks, James Sloan, resident gentlemen of Buffalo, for their soldier and sailor-like conduct; in a word, every man fought with their hearts animated only by the interest and honor of their country. The prisoners I have turned over to the military. The Detroit mounted six six-pound long guns; a commanding lieutenant, a lieutenant of marines, a boatswain and gunner, and fifty-six men; about thirty American prisoners on board; muskets, pistols, and battle-axes; in boarding her, I lost one man, one officer wounded; Mr. John C. Cummings, acting midshipman, a bayonet through the leg; his conduct was correct, and deserves the notice of the Department.
The Caledonia mounted two small guns, blunderbusses, pistols, muskets, cutlasses, and boarding pistols; twelve men, including officers; ten prisoners on board; the boat boarding her, commanded by Sailing-master George Watts, performed his duty in a masterly style; but one man killed and four wounded badly, I am afraid mortally.
I enclose you a list of the officers and men engaged in the enterprise, and also a view of the lake and river in the different situations of attack; in a day or two I shall forward the names of the prisoners. The Caledonia belongs to the Northwest Company, laden with furs, worth, I understood, two hundred thousand dollars.
JESSE D. ELLIOTT.
Hon. Paul Hamilton,
Secretary of the Navy.
Black Rock, October 10, 1812.
Sir: In my letter of yesterday's date, I stated my intention to enclose to you a list of the officers and men engaged with me in capturing His Britannic Majesty's brig, the Detroit, and brig Caledonia. The incessant fire of the enemy, and my own constant engagements for the protection of the vessels, compel me to postpone sending that list until another opportunity. Last evening, having observed an intention, on the part of the enemy, to remove the ordnance and military stores with which the Detroit was charged, I determined at once to set her on fire; thereby to prevent her having the aid of masts and yards in getting her guns into boats, she having five twelve-pound guns in her hold, and six six-pounders upon her deck, that I could prepare them, and, with my sailors, remove the ordnance during the night, when unobserved by the enemy. These preparations I am now making, and shall, with as much expedition as possible, continue to get the ordnance, and place it in our battery, as we are much in want—- not one piece at Black Rock. The Caledonia I have perfectly recovered from the enemy.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c.,
JESSE D. ELLIOTT.
Black Rock, October 10, 1812.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, on the morning of the 6th instant, two vessels, under British colors, came down Lake Erie, and anchored under the protection of Fort Erie; that, on the same day, a detachment of men arrived from New York, accompanied by Sailing-masters Watts and Chisson, with some masters' mates and midshipmen; that, on the morning following, I, with two boats previously prepared for the purpose, boarded and took possession of them, with the loss of two men killed, Samuel Fortune and Daniel Martin, and four wounded—Acting Midshipman John C. Cummings, John Garling, Nathan Armstrong, Jerome Sardie, and John Yosen. As there is not a probability of your receiving this shortly, I have made a communication to the Department upon the subject, a copy of which I enclose for your perusal. I beg you will not have conceived me hasty in making this attack. I acted as if the action came directly from yourself.
Let me recommend to your particular attention the officers and men who performed this service—each and all did their duty. The ensign of the Adams I will send you at an early opportunity; it is at your disposal. The particulars, as it regards the vessels, I will forward you in a day or two; at present I am much engaged. With sentiments, &c.
P. S. I have neglected mentioning to you the names of the vessels captured. One, His Britannic Majesty's brig, "the Detroit," formerly the United States' brig Adams; the other, a brig belonging to the Northwest Company, loaded with skins, called the Caledonia.
Sackett's Harbor, October 16, 1812.
Sir: I have great pleasure in informing you that, by a gentleman who arrived here yesterday afternoon, from Buffalo, I learn that Lieutenant Elliott, with about sixty sailors, and a number of volunteer militia, cut out from under the guns of Fort Erie, on the night of the 8th instant, the brig Adams (lately surrendered at Detroit) and the schooner Caledonia, laden with peltry, said to be very valuable; but, in running these vessels for Black Rock, they both grounded, in such a situation that the British fort was firing on them, when my informant left there on Friday morning last. It was, however, believed that, if they could not be got off, they could be destroyed. I, however, hope that Lieutenant Elliott will be able to save both vessels; for, such an addition to our little force on Lake Erie, at this time, would be invaluable. Lieutenant Elliott deserves much praise for the promptness with which he executed this service; as the sailors had only arrived at Black Rock on the 8th, and he had no particular orders from me, except to have boats built and prepared for cutting out the British vessels, which I knew rendezvoused near Fort Erie. If Lieutenant Elliott succeeds in saving the Adams and Caledonia, I think that we shall obtain the command of Lake Erie before December; but, as to this lake, I hardly know what to say, as there has not a single pound of powder, nor a gun, arrived yet, and I can make no calculation when any will arrive. I feel quite discouraged, and shall be tempted to seek the enemy, with the Oneida alone, if the guns do not arrive soon.
The sailors have all arrived at their places of destination; but the marines have not arrived. I, however, hope to see them to-day or to-morrow.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
Hon. Paul Hamilton,
Secretary of the Navy.
Sir: I have the honor of enclosing you copies of two letters from Lieutenant Elliott, giving an account of his having cut out from under Fort Erie, on Lake Erie, in a most gallant manner, two British brigs, the Detroit (late Adams) and the Caledonia. The Detroit was manned and armed as a man of war; the Caledonia belonged to the Northwest Company, and was loaded with peltry.
Nothing that I can say, more than I have already said in a former communication upon this subject, will add to the credit of Lieutenant Elliott, and the gallant officers and men who accompanied him. The thing speaks for itself, and will, I am sure, be duly appreciated by all who may have any idea of the difficulties that he had to encounter, after getting possession of these vessels. I have the honor to be, &c.
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
Hon. Paul Hamilton,
Secretary of the Navy.
Sir: In answer to your note, requesting of me "a general description of the armament and stores on board at the time of the capture of the Adams, and the probable number of men," I can state that I sailed from Maiden in the Adams, and arrived at Fort Erie on the morning preceding the night in which you captured that vessel. I left her in the afternoon, and crossed in her boat to Buffalo, with a flag. When I left the Adams, she had on board five guns mounted, (six and four pounders,) and six long twelves in her hold. She had also on board a quantity of powder and ball, and a number of boxes of muskets. I am not able to state, of my own knowledge, the number of stand of arms, but I have been informed that nearly all the arms taken at Detroit were on board; if that was the fact, the number must have been two thousand. The number of the crew that I left on board could not vary much from sixty, and the number of American prisoners about thirty, including three officers. I have the honor to be, &c.
HARRIS H. HICKMAN.
Lieut. D. Elliott, U. S. Navy.
Sir: I have received, with great satisfaction, your communication of the ninth instant, and have been desired by the President of the United States to return to you, and through you to the officers and men under your command, in the expedition to Fort Erie, which terminated to the glory of the American arms, his particular thanks. I am, with great respect, &c.
PAUL HAMILTON.
P. S. Your having abstained from fulfilling your intimation that you would expose your prisoners to the enemy's fire, is highly approved.
Jesse D. Elliott, Esq.,
Lieut. Commanding, Black Rock.
Honors to Hull. Decatur, Jones, and Elliott.
The amendment to the joint resolution relative to the brilliant achievements of Captains Hull, Decatur, and Jones, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, the resolution was read a third time as amended; and the title thereof was amended, to read as follows: "A resolution relative to the brilliant achievements of Captains Hull, Decatur, Jones, and Lieutenant Elliott."
Resolved, That this resolution pass with amendments.
James Brown, appointed a Senator by the State of Louisiana, in the place of John Noel Detrehan, resigned, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the Senate.
The credentials of Chauncey Goodrich, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Connecticut for the term of six years, commencing on the 4th day of March next, were read, and laid on file.
Counting Electoral Votes.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House agree to the report of the joint committee appointed to ascertain and report a mode of examining the votes for President and Vice President of the United States, and of notifying the persons elected of their election, and have appointed Messrs. Macon and Tallmadge, tellers, on their part.
Ordered, That Mr. Franklin be appointed a teller of the ballots for President and Vice President of the United States, on the part of the Senate, in place of Mr. Gaillard, absent from indisposition.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House is now ready to attend the Senate in opening the certificates and counting the votes of the Electors of the several States, in the choice of a President and Vice President of the United States, in pursuance of the resolution of the two Houses of Congress; and that the President of the Senate will be introduced to the Speaker's Chair, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The two Houses of Congress, agreeably to the joint resolution, assembled in the Representatives' Chamber, and the certificates of the Electors of the several States were, by the President of the Senate, opened and delivered to the tellers appointed for the purpose, who, having examined and ascertained the number of votes, presented a list thereof to the President of the Senate, which was read, as follows:
| States. | President. | Vice President. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison. | De Witt Clinton. | Elbridge Gerry. | Jared Ingersoll. | |
| New Hampshire | — | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| Massachusetts | — | 22 | 2 | 20 |
| Rhode Island | — | 4 | — | 4 |
| Connecticut | — | 9 | — | 9 |
| Vermont | 8 | — | 8 | — |
| New York | — | 29 | — | 29 |
| New Jersey | — | 8 | — | 8 |
| Pennsylvania | 25 | — | 25 | — |
| Delaware | — | 4 | — | 4 |
| Maryland | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Virginia | 25 | — | 25 | — |
| North Carolina | 15 | — | 15 | — |
| South Carolina | 11 | — | 11 | — |
| Georgia | 8 | — | 8 | — |
| Kentucky | 12 | — | 12 | — |
| Tennessee | 8 | — | 8 | — |
| Ohio | 7 | — | 7 | — |
| Louisiana | 3 | — | 3 | — |
| Totals | 128 | 89 | 131 | 86 |
The whole number of votes being 217, of which 109 makes a majority; James Madison had for President of the United States 128 votes, and Elbridge Gerry had for Vice President of the United States 131 votes:
Whereupon, the President of the Senate declared James Madison elected President of the United States, for four years, commencing with the fourth day of March next, and Elbridge Gerry, Vice President of the United States, for four years, commencing on the fourth day of March next.
The votes of the Electors were then delivered to the Secretary of the Senate; the two Houses of Congress separated, and the Senate returned to their own Chamber; and, on motion, adjourned.
Vice President Elect.
On motion, by Mr. Franklin,
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be transmitted to Elbridge Gerry, Esq., of Massachusetts, Vice President elect of the United States, notification of his election to that office, and that the President of the Senate do make and sign a certificate in the words following, to wit:
"Be it enacted, That the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, being convened at the city of Washington, on the second Wednesday of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, the underwritten President of the Senate, pro tempore, did, in the presence of the said Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and count all the votes of the Electors for a President and Vice President of the United States; whereupon it appeared that James Madison, of Virginia, had a majority of the votes of the Electors as President, and Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, had a majority of the votes of the Electors as Vice President; by all which it appears that James Madison, of Virginia, has been duly elected President, and Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, has been duly elected Vice President of the United States, agreeably to the constitution.
"In witness whereof, I have herewith set my hand and caused the seal of the Senate to be affixed, this ---- day of February, 1813."
And that the President of the Senate do cause the certificates aforesaid to be laid before the President of the United States, with this resolution.
Capture and Destruction of the Java.
The following Message was received from the President of the United States:
To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States:
I lay before Congress a letter, with accompanying documents, from Captain Bainbridge, now commanding the United States' frigate, the Constitution, reporting his capture and destruction of the British frigate, the Java. The circumstances and the issue of this combat, afford another example of the professional skill and heroic spirit which prevail in our naval service. The signal display of both, by Captain Bainbridge, his officers, and crew, command the highest praise.
This being a second instance in which the condition of the captured ship, by rendering it impossible to get her into port, has barred a contemplated reward of successful valor, I recommend to the consideration of Congress the equity and propriety of a general provision, allowing, in such cases, both past and future, a fair proportion of the value which would accrue to the captors, on the safe arrival and sale of the prize.
JAMES MADISON.
February 22, 1813.
The Message and accompanying documents were read, and referred to the committee appointed the 9th of November, who have under consideration the naval affairs of the United States, to consider and report thereon.
Naturalized Citizens Claiming Protection.
Mr. Leib presented the memorial of a number of inhabitants of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, stating that they are natives of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and citizens of the United States by adoption; and that, by a late proclamation, issued by the Prince Regent of said Kingdom, the penalty of death is denounced against such of the natural born subjects thereof as shall adhere or give aid to the United States, thereby subjecting them to the punishment for treason against said Kingdom whenever the United States shall call upon them to take part in the existing war, and praying such provision for their protection as the wisdom of Congress may dictate; and the memorial was read.
Six o'clock in the evening.
Adjournment.
The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution from the House of Representatives, for the appointment of a joint committee to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him of the intended recess, and concurred therein; and Messrs. Varnum and Gaillard were appointed the committee on the part of the Senate.
Mr. Varnum reported, from the committee, that they had waited on the President of the United States, who informed them that he had no further communications to make to the two Houses of Congress. Whereupon, the President adjourned the Senate to meet on the fourth Monday in May next.
From the National Intelligencer of March 5, 1813.
Yesterday being the day on which commenced the second term of Mr. Madison's re-election to the Presidency, he took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, administered to him by Chief Justice Marshall, in the presence of many members of Congress, the Judges of the Supreme Court, the foreign Ministers, and a great concourse of ladies and gentlemen. The President was escorted to the Capitol by the cavalry of the District, and received, on his approach to it, by the several volunteer corps of this city, Georgetown, and Alexandria, drawn up in line for the purpose. Previous to taking the oath in the Chamber of the House of Representatives, the President delivered the following
SPEECH:
About to add the solemnity of an oath to the obligations imposed by a second call to the station in which my country heretofore placed me, I find, in the presence of this respectable assembly, an opportunity of publicly repeating my profound sense of so distinguished a confidence, and of the responsibility united with it. The impressions on me are strengthened by such an evidence, that my faithful endeavors to discharge my arduous duties have been favorably estimated; and by a consideration of the momentous period at which the trust has been renewed. From the weight and magnitude now belonging to it, I should be compelled to shrink, if I had less reliance on the support of an enlightened and generous people, and felt less deeply a conviction, that the war with a powerful nation, which forms so prominent a feature in our situation, is stamped with that justice, which invites the smiles of Heaven on the means of conducting it to a successful termination.
May we not cherish this sentiment, without presumption, when we reflect on the characters by which this war was distinguished?
It was not declared on the part of the United States, until it had been long made on them, in reality though not in name; until arguments and expostulations had been exhausted; until a positive declaration had been received, that the wrongs provoking it would not be discontinued; nor until this last appeal could no longer be delayed without breaking down the spirit of the nation, destroying all confidence in itself and in its political institutions, and either perpetuating a state of disgraceful suffering, or regaining, by more costly sacrifices and more severe struggles, our lost rank and respect among independent powers.
On the issue of the war are staked our national sovereignty on the high seas, and the security of an important class of citizens, whose occupations give the proper value to those of every other class. Not to contend for such a stake, is to surrender our equality with other powers on the element common to all, and to violate the sacred title which every member of the society has to its protection. I need not call into view the unlawfulness of the practice by which our mariners are forced, at the will of every cruising officer, from their own vessels into foreign ones, nor paint the outrages inseparable from it. The proofs are in the records of each successive administration of our Government; and the cruel sufferings of that portion of the American people have found their way to every bosom not dead to the sympathies of human nature.
As the war was just in its origin, and necessary and noble in its objects, we can reflect with a proud satisfaction, that, in carrying it on, no principle of justice or honor, no usage of civilized nations, no precept of courtesy or humanity have been infringed. The war has been waged on our part with scrupulous regard to all these obligations, and in a spirit of liberality which was never surpassed.
How little has been the effect of this example on the conduct of the enemy!
They have retained as prisoners of war citizens of the United States, not liable to be so considered under the usages of war.
They have refused to consider as prisoners of war, and threatened to punish as traitors and deserters, persons emigrating, without restraint, to the United States; incorporated, by naturalization into our political family, and fighting under the authority of their adopted country, in open and honorable war, for the maintenance of its rights and safety. Such is the avowed purpose of a Government which is in the practice of naturalizing, by thousands, citizens of other countries, and not only of permitting, but compelling, them to fight its battles against their native country.
They have not, it is true, taken into their own hands the hatchet and the knife, devoted to indiscriminate massacre; but they have let loose the savages, armed with these cruel instruments; have allured them into their service, and carried them to battle by their sides, eager to glut their savage thirst with the blood of the vanquished, and to finish the work of torture and death on maimed and defenceless captives: and, what was never before seen, British commanders have extorted victory over the unconquerable valor of our troops, by presenting to the sympathy of their chief awaiting massacre from their savage associates.
And now we find them, in further contempt of the modes of honorable warfare, supplying the place of a conquering force, by attempts to disorganize our political society, to dismember our confederated Republic. Happily, like others, these will recoil on the authors; but they mark the degenerate counsels from which they emanate; and if they did not belong to a series of unexampled inconsistencies, might excite the greater wonder, as proceeding from a Government which founded the very war in which it has been so long engaged, on a charge against the disorganizing and insurrectional policy of its adversary.
To render the justice of the war on our part the more conspicuous, the reluctance to commence it was followed by the earliest and strongest manifestations of a disposition to arrest its progress. The sword was scarcely out of the scabbard, before the enemy was apprised of the reasonable terms on which it would be resheathed. Still more precise advances were repeated, and have been received in a spirit forbidding every reliance not placed on the military resources of the nation.
These resources are amply sufficient to bring the war to an honorable issue. Our nation is, in number, more than half that of the British isles. It is composed of a brave, a free, a virtuous, and an intelligent people. Our country abounds in the necessaries, the arts, and the comforts of life. A general prosperity is visible in the public countenance. The means employed by the British Cabinet to undermine it, have recoiled on themselves; have given to our national faculties a more rapid development; and draining or diverting the precious metals from British circulation and British vaults, have poured them into those of the United States. It is a propitious consideration, that an unavoidable war should have found this seasonable facility for the contributions required to support it. When the public voice called for war, all knew and still know, that without them it could not be carried on through the period which it might last; and the patriotism, the good sense, and the manly spirit of our fellow-citizens, are pledges for the cheerfulness with which they will bear each his share of the common burden. To render the war short, and its success sure, animated, and systematic exertions alone are necessary; and the success of our arms now may long preserve our country from the necessity of another resort to them. Already have the gallant exploits of our naval heroes proved to the world our inherent capacity to maintain our rights on one element. If the reputation of our arms has been thrown under clouds on the other, presaging flashes of heroic enterprise assure us that nothing is wanting to correspondent triumphs there also, but the discipline and habits which are in daily progress.
This being the day appointed by law for the meeting of Congress, the following members of the House of Representatives appeared, and took their seats, to wit:
From New Hampshire—Samuel Dinsmoor, Obed Hall, and John A. Harper.
From Massachusetts—Abijah Bigelow, Elijah Brigham, Richard Cutts, Wm. Ely, Isaiah L. Green, Ebenezer Seaver, William M. Richardson, Charles Turner, jr., Laban Wheaton, Leonard White, Wm. Widgery.
From Rhode Island—Richard Jackson, jr.
From Connecticut—Epaphroditus Champion, John Davenport, jr., Lyman Law, and Jonathan O. Mosely.
From Vermont—Martin Chittenden, Wm. Strong.
From New York—Daniel Avery, Harmanus Bleecker, James Emott, Asa Fitch, Sam. L. Mitchill, Benjamin Pond, Thomas Sammons, Pierre Van Cortlandt, jr.
From New Jersey—Adam Boyd, Lewis Condict, Jacob Hufty, and Thomas Newbold.
From Pennsylvania—Wm. Anderson, David Bard, Robert Brown, William Crawford, William Findlay, Abner Lacock, Aaron Lyle, Jonathan Roberts, Wm. Rodman, Adam Seybert, John Smilie, Geo. Smith, and Robert Whitehill.
From Maryland—Stevenson Archer, Charles Goldsborough, Joseph Kent, Philip B. Key, Peter Little, Alexander McKim, Samuel Ringgold, Philip Stuart, and Robert Wright.
From Virginia—John Baker, Burwell Bassett, Matthew Clay, John Dawson, Thomas Gholson, Peterson Goodwyn, Aylett Hawes, Joseph Lewis, jr., William McCoy, Hugh Nelson, Thomas Newton, James Pleasants, jr., and John Roane.
From North Carolina—Willis Alston, jr., William Blackledge, Meshack Franklin, Nathaniel Macon, Archibald McBryde, and Joseph Pearson.
From South Carolina—William Butler, John C. Calhoun, Elias Earle, William Lowndes, Thos. Moore, and Richard Wynn.
From Georgia—William W. Bibb, Geo. M. Troup.
From Kentucky—Henry Clay, Speaker, Joseph Desha, and Stephen Ormsby.
From Tennessee—Felix Grundy, John Rhea, and John Sevier.
From Ohio—Jeremiah Morrow.
From Indiana Territory—Jona. Jennings, Delegate.
A quorum, consisting of a majority of the whole House, being present, it was ordered that the Clerk do acquaint the Senate therewith.
On motion of Mr. Dawson, a committee was appointed on the part of the House, jointly with such committee as may be appointed on the part of the Senate, to wait on the President of the United States, and inform him that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled, and ready to receive any communication he may be pleased to make to them.
Mr. Dawson and Mr. Bleecker were appointed the committee on the part of the House.
Several other members, to wit: From Massachusetts, Francis Carr; from Connecticut, Timothy Pitkin, jr.; from Vermont, Samuel Shaw; from New York, Arunah Metcalf, Silas Stow, and Uri Tracy; from Pennsylvania, John M. Hyneman; from Virginia, John Smith, and Thomas Wilson; from North Carolina, Richard Stanford; from S. Carolina, Langdon Cheves, and David R. Williams; and, from Kentucky, Richard M. Johnson, appeared, and took their seats.
A message from the Senate informed the House that a quorum of the Senate is assembled, and ready to proceed to business. They have appointed a committee on their part, jointly with the committee on the part of this House, to inform the President of the United States that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled, and ready to receive any communications he may be pleased to make to them.
Mr. Dawson, from the joint committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, reported that the committee had performed the service assigned to them, and that the President answered that he would make a communication to the two Houses of Congress to-morrow at 12 o'clock.
And then the House adjourned.
Several other members, to wit: From Vermont, James Fisk; from North Carolina, Wm. R. King and Israel Pickens; from Georgia, Bolling Hall; and from Kentucky, Anthony New, appeared, and took their seats.
A Message was received from the President of the United States. [For which, see Senate proceedings of this date, ante, page 567.]
The Message having been read was referred, with the documents accompanying it, to the Committee of the whole House on the state of the Union.
Constitution and the Guerriere.
Mr. Dawson rose and said:—Mr. Speaker, I take this early moment to present to you a resolution which I feel pleasure and pride in believing will meet the general approbation, not only of this House, but of the nation.
The President of the United States, in his Message, which was read on yesterday, has, in terms eloquent and appropriate, made mention of an engagement which has taken place between an American frigate and one of His Britannic Majesty's, which has rendered to the officers and crew of our frigate that justice which they so justly merited; an engagement in which American tars have proven to the world, that when commanded by officers of skill, valor, and fidelity, they are capable of contending with, and of vanquishing, those of any nation on the earth, upon any element—even on that element where British skill has so justly acquired so much celebrity, and that the American flag, when authorized by the constituted authorities of our country, will command respect on the high road of nations. Far, very far be it from me to boast—it ill becomes an individual or a nation, and is never the concomitant of true courage; but on the present occasion it seems to me proper that we should express our sentiments—our feelings, and thereby the feelings of the nation. I shall, therefore, without further comment, offer you the following resolution, observing that the facts stated have been ascertained at the proper department, and the proofs are on my table: