DECEMBER, 1799.

Address to the President.

H. OF R.

whether any;

The Committee then rose, and the House hav- of the Territory of the United States Northwest ing taken up the consideration of the resolutions, of the river Ohio; and the resolution having been as reported, the first and third were agreed to; and read, on motion, it was agreed to by the House. on motion of Mr. Dent, the question on agreeing Messrs. CRAIK, HARRISON, and Bird, were apto the second, was postponed till to-morrow. pointed the committee.

Ordered, That Mr. HARPER, Mr. CHAUNCEY Mr. Harrison presented a petition of Lardner GOODRICH, Mr. Bayard, Mr. Marshall, and Clark, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mr. SEWALL, be appointed a committee, pursuant Kaskaskias, in the Northwestern Territory, prayto the first resolution.

ing for the confirmation of his title to a certain Ordered, That Mr. Otis, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. tract of land granted under the old French GovEDMOND, Mr. Abiel Foster, Mr. Champlin, Mr. ernment, the papers ascertaining his right to which Wald, and Mr. Hill, be appointed a committee, had been lost or destroyed. Referred to a select pursuant to the third resolution.

committee. COMMITTEE OF WAYS AND MEANS.

On motion of Mr. Dawson, On motion of Mr. Gallatin, the House ordered bill or bills, providing for an enumeration of the

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a the appointment of a standing committee of Ways inhabitants of the United States; and that the and Means. A motion that it consist of one Committee of Ways and Means do prepare and member from each State, was made; but on Mr. bring in the same. HARPER's observing that nine were found a suffi.

On motion of Mr. ClaiboRNE, the House came cient number last session, and were able to obtain every information, and would be more expeditious

to the following resolution: in doing business, the latter motion was agreed to.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire Ordered, That Mr. Harper, Mr. GRISWOLD, be made in the acts establishing a Post Office and post

and what, amendments are necessary to Mr. Otis, Mr. Gallatin, Mr. Powell, Mr. JOHN roads within the United States. Brown, Mr. STONE, Mr. Nort, and Mr. Platt, be appointed.

Messrs. Thatcher, Wood, New, CLAIBORNE, Ordered, That the credentials of William Hen

and Grove, were appointed the committee. RY HARRISON, who has appeared as a Delegate

ADDRESS TO THE PRESIDENT. from the Territory of the United States North- The hour having arrived which the PRESIDENT west of the river Ohio, be referred to the Commit- had appointed, Mr. Speaker, attended by the tee of Elections; and that they be directed to re-members present, proceeded to the President's port whether the Territory is entitled to elect a house, to present him their Address in answer to Delegate who may have a seat in this House. his Speech at the opening of the present session ;

and having returned, the President's reply thereto

was read, as follows: Tuesday, December 10.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : Matthew Clay, from Virginia, appeared produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his tives of the people of the United States at their first as

This very respectful address from the Representaseat in the House. Mr. Griswold from the Committee of Revisal sion of the public opinion and national sense, at this

sembly, after a fresh election, under the strong impresand Unfinished Business, made a report, which interesting and singular crisis of our public affairs, has was ordered to be printed.

excited my sensibility, and receives my sincere and grateThe House resumed the consideration of the ful acknowledgments. resolution postponed yesterday, which, after being

As long as we can maintain, with harmony and afread, was agreed to in the words following, to fection, the honor of our country, consistently with its wit:

peace, externally and internally, while that is attainaResolved, That so much of the Speech of the Presi- ble, or in war, when that becomes necessary, assert its dent of the United States to both Houses of Congress, real independence and sovereignty, and support the at the commencement of the present session, as relates Constitutional energies and dignity of its Government, to the expenditure of public moneys, be referred to the we may be perfectly sure, under the smiles of Divine Committee of Ways and Means.

Providence, that we shall effectually promote and ex. Mr. ClaibORNE moved the following resolution,

tend our national interests and happiness. which was adopted :

The applause of the Senate and House of Represent

atives, so justly bestowed upon the volunteers and miliResolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire tia, for their zealous and active co-operation with the whether any, and what, provision ought to be made, by judicial power, which has restored order and submission law, for the punishment of such persons as may be dis- | to the laws, as it comes with peculiar weight and procovered in making attempts to alienate the affections of priety from the Legislature, cannot fail to have an ex. any Indian nation, tribe, or chief, from the United States; tensive and permanent effect, for the support of Gove or in exciting them to hostilities against the United ernment, upon all those ingenuous minds who receive States; or to the violation of any existing treaty; and delight from the approving and animating voice of their that the said committee be authorized to report by bill country. or otherwise.

JOHN ADAMS. Mr. Harrison called up the consideration of

United States, December 10. the resolution which he laid upon the table on And then the House adjourned till to·morrow Friday last, relative to the judiciary establishment' morning, 11 o'clock.

H. OF R.

Direct Tax Law, f.c.

DECEMBER, 1799.

any,

WEDNESDAY, December 11.

duty it shall be to make inquiry into the state of the HENRY LEE, from Virginia, appeared, produced naval equipments ordered by foriner acts of Congress; his credentials

, was qualified, and took his seat in to consider whether any, and what, other naval force the House.

may be necessary for the protection of the commerce of

the United States, and for the support of its flag ; and Mr. D. Foster laid the following resolution on

whether and what, alterations ought to be made in the table:

the law relative to the Navy of the United States. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what alterations ought to be

Messrs. Parker, Otis, RUTLEDGE, Craik, and made in the law, entitled “ An act to prohibit the car

Champlin, were appointed the committee. rying on the slave trade from the United States to any he laid on the table on Tuesday, relative to the

Mr. D. Foster called up the resolution which foreign country;" and that the committee have power to report by bill or otherwise.

slave trade; and the same having been read, was THE DIRECT TAX LAW.

agreed to by the House.

Messrs. Dwight Foster, Bird, and Jones, Mr. Harper said, that a difficulty had arisen were appointed committee. in the State of Pennsylvania, relative to the ex

Mr.Sewall moved that when the House adjourn ecution of the law " for the valuation of lands and it do adjourn till Monday. After a few observadwelling-houses, and for the enumeration of slaves, tions from Mr. Rutledge, who said time ought within the United States," which the Commis- to be given to the committees to prepare their sioners for that State did not conceive themselves reports, and, until made, there was little else to competent to decide upon; that the Commissioners had referred the case to the Secretary of the was put and carried, 48 rising in favor of it.

occupy the attention of the House; the question Treasury, whose opinion it was, that they were possessed of sufficient power to obviate the difficulties complained of; but the Commissioners,

Monday, December 16. on again taking the subject into consideration, Thomas Hartley, from Pennsylvania, and Jowere still of opinion they were unable to act with seph Eggleston, from Virginia, appeared, proout legislative aid, and therefore had made appli- duced their credentials, were qualified, and took cation to the Commmitte of Ways and Means, their seats in the House. who, Mr. H. said, had directed him to move for Mr. Gregg presented a petition of Robert Sturleave to bring in a bill, further to amend the act geon, late a revenue officer of the United States, entitled " An act to provide for the valuation of in the county of Miffio, State of Pennsylvania, lands and dwelling-houses, and for the enumeration and now in the jail of the said county, for arrearof slaves, within the United States," which was ages of money due by him to the United States, granted.

praying that a law may be passed for his liberation; FRANKING PRIVILEGE TO W. H. HARRISON. which was read, and referred to a Committee of Mr. Harper laid the following resolution on

the Whole. the table.

Mr. CLAIBORNE, from the committee appointed Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare

to inquire whether any, and what, provision ought and bring in a bill, extending the privilege of franking to be made for the punishment of such persons as to W. H. Harrison, a delegate from the Territory of may be discovered in making attempts to alienate the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, and the affections of the Indians on our frontiers from making provision for his compensation.

the United States, reported " a bill for the preserMr. H. said that according to law, that gentle- vation of peace with the Indian tribes ;" which man had the right only of speaking and

giving his was read a first and second time, and referred to a opinion upon any question before the House, but Committee of the Whole on Wednesday. was not entitled to a vote, or any other privilege;

Mr. Oris, pursuant to leave given for that purbut as the privileges of a member had been extend- pose, reported “ a bill extending the privilege of ed on a former occasion to a delegate from the franking to William Henry Harrison, a delegate Southwestern Territory, he had no doubt they from the Territory of the United States Northwould be granted on the present.

west of the river Ohio, and making provision for UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

his compensation;" which was read a first and secMr. Griswold, from the Committee of Revi- Whole to-morrow.

ond time, and committed to a Committee of the sal and Unfinished Business, moved the following Mr. Dana, from the Committee of Elections, resolution, which was adopted by the House, viz: made a report, certifying the due election of all the

Resolved, That all petitions which were depending members who have produced their credentials; and undecided at the last session of Congress, ought which was read and committed to a Committee to be taken up and acted upon by the House, as the of the whole House. same may be called for by any member, or upon the application of the individual claimant or petitioner.

A message was-received from the Senate informing the House that the Senate have passed an act

entitled “ An act for the relief of persons imprisTHURSDAY, December 12.

oped for debt,” and “ An act for reviving and conMr. Otis moved the following resolution, which tinuing suits and proceedings in the Circuit Court was agreed to by the House:

for the district of Pennsylvania," to which they Resolved, Thai a committee be appointed, whose request the concurrence of the House.

a

a

G

DECEMBER, 1799.

Militia Law.

H. OF R.

The former was read a first and second time and

Tuesday, December 17. committed to a Committee of the Whole for to

Mr. S. Smith, from the Committee of Commorrow. The latter was read a third time and passsed.

merce and Manufactures, reported a bill providMr. Dana, from the Committee of Elections, to read a first and second time and committed to a

ing for salvage in case of recapture, which was whom was referred the credentials of William Committee of the whole House on Thursday. Henry Harrison, Esq., a delegate from the North

The House went into Committee of the Whole west Territory, made a report, which concluded with the following resolution:

on the bill supplementary to the act entitled “An

act to provide for the valuation of lands and dwellResolved, That William Henry Harrison a delegate ing-houses, and the enumeration of slaves, within from the Territory of the United States Northwest of the United States;" and the bill having been read, the river Ohio, be admitted to have a seat in this House

was agreed to without amendment, and ordered with the right of debating but not of voting :"

to be engrossed for a third reading to-morrow. which was committed to a Committee of the whole House this day.

IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. The report was subsequently taken up and agreed Mr. Otis moved, that the Committee of the to by the House.

Whole to whom were referred the bill from the Mr. Griswold, from the Committee of Ways Senate for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt, and Means, reported “A bill providing for the be discharged; and that the bill be committed to enumeration of the inhabitants of the United the select committee to whom were referred a States;” which was read a first and second time, similar subject. Agreed to. and committed to a Committee of the Whole on Mr. 0. said, he made this motion, in conseThursday next.

quence of some recent information which he had Mr. G., from the same committee, also reported “a received on the subject from the Judge of the Disbill supplementary to the act to provide for the val-trict Court of Pennsylvania. The bill from the uation of landsanddwelling-houses, and the enume- Senate was merely a copy of the old law, in which ration of slaves, within the United States," which there were several imperfections. He had not yet was read a first and second time, and committed had time to mature his reflections on the alterato a Committee of the Whole for to-morrow.

tions necessary to be made in the bill, but expected On motion, it was Ordered, That Mr. Wads- if it were committed, (as he proposed,) to receive WORTH, and Mr. Gray, be appointed a Committee such additional information from the District for Enrolled Bills, on the part of this House, jointly, | Judge, on this subject, as would render the law, if with such committee as shall be appointed for thai passed, more beneficial, and competent to the pur

poses for which it was intended." purpose on the part of the Senate.

THE MILITIA LAW.
Mr. Lee moved the following resolution, which

WEDNESDAY, December 18. was adopted by the House, viz:

The bill entitled “ An act supplementary to the Resolved, That a committee be appointed to report act entitled " An act to provide for the valuation whether any, and, if any, what alterations are necessary of lands and dwelling-houses, and the enumeration to be made in the militia law of the United States."

of slaves, within the United States," was read In prefacing his motion, Mr. L. said he wished a third time and passed. to call the attention of the House to a subject high- Mr. SPEAKER said, he had received a letter, adly interesting to the citizens of the United States, dressed to him, in the French language, (of which and deserving the serious attention of its Legisla- he had procured a translation,) from six French ture. He thought the system heretofore pursued officers, confined in jail, at Burlington, in the State was radically wrong, and viewed every measure of New Jersey, which was read and referred to the which was not predicated on the wishes of the Secretary of the Navy. people, as answering but little effect. He wished The letter stated that they had been in impristo see that system of defence which, growing out onment six months; that their usage was contrary of nature, shall enable all men to serve without to that of enemy officers in the power of the injuring their families. The youth of our country | French Republic, who allowed them to depart should alone be called upon, who would be found either for their own or a neutral country, and that sufficiently adequate for its defence, and seventeen American officers were not detained in France as and twenty-six were the ages of which the defen-prisoners of war. Wherefore, they'pray to be alders of our country should consist. When father lowed to depart for their own or for a neutral and son are arrayed in the same ranks, a waver-country: ing must take place, and present an opportunity The Speaker laid before the House a letter from for an impression from the enemy. He concluded the Secretary of the Treasury, accompanied with a concise and elegant speech, by moving the above a report and estimates of the sums necessary to be resolution.

appropriated for the service of the year one thouOrdered, That Mr. Henry LEE. Mr. Smith, sand eight hundred; also, a statement of the reMr. MORRIS, Mr. SHEPARD, Mr. Dickson, Mr. ceipts and expenditures at the Treasury of the TALIAFERRO, and Mr. SUMTER, be appointed a United States, for one year preceding the first day committee, pursuant to the said resolution. of October, one thousand seven hundred and nine

a

H. OF R.

Death of General Washington.

DECEMBER, 1799.

ty-nine; which were read, and ordered to be re- In obedience to the general voice of his counferred to the Committee of Ways and Means. try, calling on him to preside over a great people, DEATH OF GENERAL WASHINGTON.

we have seen him once more quit the retirement

he loved, and in a season more stormy and temMr. Marshall, in a voice that bespoke the an- pestuous than war itself, with calm and wise deguish of his mind, and a countenance expressive termination, pursue the true interests of the nation, of the deepest regret, rose, and delivered himself and contribute, more than any other could contrias follows: Mr. Speaker: Information has just been receiv- which will. I trust, yet preserve our peace, our

bute, to the establishment of that system of policy ed, that our illustrious fellow-citizen, the Comman-honor, and our independence. der in-Chief of the American Army, and the late

Having been twice unanimously chosen the President of the United States, is no more!

Chief Magistrate of a free people, we see him at Though this distressing intelligence is not cer

a time when his re-election, with the universal tain, there is too much reason to believe its truth. suffrage, could not have been doubted, affording After receiving information of this national ca

to the world a rare instance of moderation, by lamity, so heavy and so afflicting, the House of Re-withdrawing from his high station to the peaceful presentatives can be but ill fitted for public busi- walks of private life. ness. I move you, therefore, they adjourn.

However the public confidence may change, The motion was unanimously agreed to; and and the public affections fluctuate with respect to then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning, others, yet with respect to him they have in war 11 o'clock.

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. THURSDAY, December 19.

Let us then, Mr. Speaker, pay the last tribute SAMUEL GOODE, from Virginia, appeared, pro- of respect and affection to our departed friendduced his credentials, was qualified, and took his let the Grand Council of the nation display those seat in the House.

sentiments which the nation feels. DEATH OF GENERAL WASHINGTON.

For this purpose I hold in my hand some reso

lutions, which I will take the liberty to offer to the Mr. MARSHALL, addressed the Chair as follows: House. Mr. Speaker: The melancholy event which was

Mr. MARSHALL having handed them in at the yesterday announced with doubt, has been rendered table, they were read, and unanimously agreed to but too certain. Our Washington is no more! by the House, in the words following, to wit: The Hero, the Sage, and the Patriot of America -the man on whom in times of danger every eye having received intelligence of the death of their highly,

The House of Representatives of the United States, was turned and all hopes were placed-lives now

valued fellow-citizen, George Washingtox, General only in his own great actions, and in the hearts of of the Armies of the United States, and sharing the an affectionate and afflicted people.

universal grief this distressing event must produce, If, sir, it had even not been usual openly to unanimously resolve : testify respect for the memory of those whom

1. That this House will wait on the President of the Heaven had selected as its instruments for dispen- United States, in condolence of this national calamity. sing good to men, yet such has been the uncom- 2. That the Speaker's chair be shrouded with black, mon worth, and such the extraordinary incidents and that the members and officers of the House wear which have marked the life of him whose loss we mourning, during the session. all deplore, that the whole American nation, im- 3. That a joint committee of both Houses be appelled by the same feelings, would call with one pointed to report measures suitable to the occasion, and voice for a public manifestation of that sorrow expressive of the profound sorrow with which Congress which is so deep and so universal.

is penetrated on the loss of a citizen, first in war, first in More than any other individual, and as much peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen. as to one individual was possible, has he contribu

4. That when this House adjourns, it will adjourn ted to found this our wide-spreading empire, and until Monday next. to give to the Western world its independence and Ordered, That Mr. Marshall and Mr. SMITH its freedom.

be appointed a committee to wait on the President Having effected the great object for which he of the United States, to know when and where he was placed at the head of our armies, we have will receive this House for the purpose expressed seen him converting the sword into the plough- in the first resolution. share, and voluntarily sinking the soldier in the Ordered, That Mr. Marshall, Mr. CRAIK, Mr. citizen.

HENRY LEE, Mr. EGGLESTON, Mr. SMITH, Mr. When the debility of our federal system had STONE, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. ABIEL Foster. Mr. become manifest, and the bonds which connected MUHLENBERG, Mr. Van CORTLANDT, Mr. Dwight the parts of this vast continent were dissolving, we Foster, Mr. FRANKLIN DAVENPORT, Mr. Clathave seen him the Chief of those patriots who BORNE, Mr. MORRIS, Mr. John Brown, and Mr. formed for us a Constitution, which, by preserving TALIAFERRO, be a committee, jointly with such the Union, will, I trust, substantiate and perpetuate committee as may be appointed on the part of the those blessings our Revolution had promised to Senate, for the purpose expressed in the third resobestow.

DECEMBER, 1799.

Death of General Washington.

H. OF R.

а

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do ac- tional calamity, reported that the committee had quaint the Senate therewith.

according to order, performed that service, and A Message was received from the President of that the President signified to them it would be THE UNITED STATES, which, together with the let- convenient for him to receive this House at one ter accompanying the same, was read and referred o'clock this afternoon, at his own house. to the committee last appointed, and is as follows: A message from the Senate informed the House Gentlemen of the Senate, and

that the Senate have agreed to the resolution passGentlemen of the House of Representatives : ed by the House of Representatives for the apThe letter herewith transmitted, will inform you that pointment of a joint committee of both Houses io it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this report measures suitable to the occasion, and exlife our excellent fellow-citizen George Washington, pressive of the profound sorrow with which Conby the purity of his character, and a long series of servi-gress is penetrated on the loss of a citizen, first in ces to his country, rendered illustrious through the war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his counworld. It remains for an affectionate and grateful Peo- trymen ; and have appointed Mr. Dayton, Mr. ple, in whose hearts he can never die, to pay suitable BINGHAM, Mr. DEXTER, Mr. Gunn, Mr. LAURANCE, honor to his memory.

JOHN ADAMS. and Mr. Tracy, a committee on their part. UNITED States, Dec. 19, 1799.

The SPEAKER, attended by the House, then “ Mount VERSON, Dec. 15, 1799. withdrew to the house of the President of the Uni“Sir: It is with inexpressible grief that I have to an. ted States, when Mr. Speaker addressed the Presnounce to you the death of the great and good General ident as follows: WASHINGTON. He died last evening, between ten and eleven o'clock, after a short illness of about twenty a sense of the irreparable loss sustained by the nation

Sir: The House of Representatives, penetrated with hours. His disorder was an inflammatory sore throat, in the death of that great and good man, the illustrious which proceeded from a cold, of which he made but and beloved Washington, wait on you, sir, to express little complaint on Friday. On Saturday morning, their condolence on this melancholy and distressing about three o'clock, he became ill. Doctor Craik at

event. tended him in the morning, and Doctor Dick, of Alexandria, and Doctor Brown, of Port Tobacco, were soon

To which the President replied follows: after called in. Every medical assistance was offered, Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : but without the desired effect. His last scene corre- I receive, with great respect and affection, the consponded with the whole tenor of his life ; not a groan, dolence of the House of Representatives, on the melannor a complaint, escaped him in extreme distress. choly and affecting event, in the death of the most il. With perfect resignation, and in full possession of his lustrious and beloved personage which this country ever reason, he closed his well spent life.*

produced. I sympathize with you, with the nation, and " I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient and with good men through the world, in this irreparable very humble servant.

loss sustained by us all.

JOHN ADAMS. « TOBIAS LEAR.

UNITED STATES, Dec. 19, 1799. “ The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES."

Mr. Marshall, from the committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, to

Monday, December 23 know when and where it will be convenient for Thomas T. Davis, from Kentucky; Robert him to receive this House in condolence of the na-Williams, from North Carolina ; and John Den* FROM AN ALEXANDRIA PAPER OF DECEMBER 21,1799.