ments of regard to his Nation; from a sense of their friendship towards us; from a conviction that they would not suffer us to remain long exposed to the action of a person, who has so little respected our mutual dispositions; and I will add, from a reliance on the firmness of my fellow-citizens, in their principles of peace and order. In the mean time, I have respected and pursued the stipulations of our treaties according to what I judged their true sense; and have withheld no act of friendship which their affairs have called for from us, and which justice to others left us free to perform. I have gone further. Rather than employ force for the restitution of certain vessels which I deemed the United States bound to restore, I thought it more advisable to satisfy the parties, by avowing it to be my opinion, that, if restitution were not made, it would be incumbent on the United States to make compensation. The papers now communicated will more particularly apprise you of these transactions. The vexations and spoliations understood to have been committed on our vessels and commerce, by the cruisers and officers of some of the belligerent Powers, appeared to require attention. The proofs of these, however, not having been brought forward, the description of citizens supposed to have suffered, were notified that, on furnishing them to the Executive, due measures would be taken to obtain redress of the past, and more effectual provisions against the future. Should such documents be furnished, proper representations will be made thereon, with a just reliance on a redress proportioned to the exigency of the case. The British Government having undertaken, by orders of the Commanders of their armed vessels, to restrain, generally, our commerce, in corn and other provisions, to their own ports and those of their friends, the instructions now communicated were immediately forwarded to our Minister at that Court. In the mean time, some discussions on the subject took place between him and them; these are also laid before you; and I may expect to learn the result of his special instructions, in time to make it known to the Legislature during their present session. Very early after the arrival of a British Minister here, mutual explanations on the inexecution of the Treaty of Peace were entered into with that Minister; these are now laid before you for your information. On the subjects of mutual interest between this country and Spain, negotiations and conferences are now depending. The public good requiring that the present state of these should be made known to the Legislature, in confidence only, they shall be the subject of a separate and subsequent communication. FRIDAY, December 6. [H. OF R. JAMES HILLHOUSE, from Connecticut, and JoSIAH PARKER, from Virginia, appeared, and took their seats. Mr. WILLIAM SMITH, from the Standing Committee of Elections, reported that the Committee had, in part, examined the certificates and other credentials of the members returned to serve in this House, and had agreed upon a report; which was read, and is as follows: "It appears to your Committee, that the credentials of the following members are sufficient to entitle them to take their seats, in the House, to wit: [After enumerating the names of the members whose credentials were examined, the report concludes:] Ordered, That the said report do lie on the table. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the Address to the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, in answer to his Speech to both Houses of Congress; and, after some time spent therein, the Chairman reported that the Committee had had the said Address under consideration, and made no amendment thereto. Resolved, unanimously. That this House doth agree to the said Address, in the words following: SIR: The Representatives of the people of the United States, in meeting you for the first time since you have been again called, by an unanimous suffrage, to your present station, find an occasion, which they embrace with no less sincerity than promptitude, for expressing to you their congratulations on so distinguished a testimony of public approbation, and their entire confidence in the purity and patriotism of the motives which have produced this obedience to the voice of your country. It is to virtues which have commanded long and universal reverence, and services from which have flowed great and lasting benefits, that the tribute of praise may be paid without the reproach of flattery; and it is from the same sources that the fairest anticipations may be derived in favor of the public happiness. The United States having taken no part in the war which had embraced in Europe the Powers with whom they have the most extensive relations, the maintenance of peace was justly to be regarded as one of the most important duties of the Magistrate charged with the faithful execution of the laws. We accordingly witness, with approbation and pleasure, the vigilance with which you have guarded against an interruption of that blessing, by your Proclamation, admonishing our citi zens of the consequences of illicit or hostile acts towards the belligerent parties; and promoting, by a declaration of the existing legal state of things, an easier admission of our right to the immunities belonging to our situation. The connexion of the United States with Europe has evidently become extremely interesting. The communications which remain to be exhibited to us will, no doubt, assist in giving us a fuller view of the subject, and in guiding our deliberations to such results as may comport with the rights and true interests of our country. We learn, with deep regret, that the measures, dictated by a love of peace, for obtaining an amicable termination of the afflicting war on our frontiers, have been frustrated, and that a resort to offensive measures should have again become necessary. As the latter, however, must be rendered more satisfactory, in proportion to the solicitude for peace, manifested by the former, it is to be hoped they will be pursued under the better auspices, on that account, and be finally crowned with more happy success. In relation to the particular tribe of Indians against whom offensive meassures have been prohibited, as well as on all the other important subjects which you have presented to our view, we shall bestow the attention which they claim. We cannot, however, refrain, at this time, from particularly expressing our concurrence in your anxiety for the regular discharge of the Public Debts, as fast us circumstances and events will permit, and, in the policy of removing any impediments that may be found in the way of a faithful representation of public proceedings throughout the United States, being persuaded, with you, that on no subject more than the former can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable; and that, with respect to the latter, no resource is so firm for the Government of the United States as the affections of the people, grided by an enlightened policy. Throughout our deliberations we shall endeavor to cherish every sentiment which may contribute to render them conducive to the dignity as well as to the welfare of the United States. And we join with you in imploring that Being, on whose will the fate of nations depends, to crown with success our mutual endeavors. Resolved, That Mr. SPEAKER, attended by the House, do present the said Address, and that Mr. MADISON, Mr. SEDGWICK, and Mr. HARTLEY, be a committee to wait on the PRESIDENT, to know when and where it will be convenient for him to receive the same. [DECEMBER, 1793. The SPEAKER, attended by the House, then withdrew to the house of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and there presented to him the Address of this House, in answer to his Speech to both Houses of Congress; to which the PRESIDENT made the following Reply: satisfaction which I derive from the Address of the GENTLEMEN: I shall not affect to conceal the cordial House of Representatives. Whatsoever those services may be which you have sanctioned by your favor, it is a sufficient reward that they have been accepted as they were meant. For the fulfilment of your anticipations the motives which you approve shall continue unchanged. of the future, I can give no other assurance than that It is truly gratifying to me to learn that the Proclamation has been considered as a seasonable guard I doubt that the subjects which I have recommended to against the interruption of the public peace. Nor can your attention as depending on Legislative provisions, With every reason, then, it may be expected that your will receive a discussion suited to their importance. deliberations, under the Divine blessing, will be matured to the honor and happiness of the United States. G. WASHINGTON. The House resumed the reading of the communications received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES on Thursday last, and made a further progress therein. The SPEAKER laid before the House a Letter from the Treasurer of the United States, accompanying his accounts of the receipts and expenditures of public moneys, from the 1st of January to the 31st of March, 1793, inclusive; also, of his payments and receipts on account of the War Department, from the 1st of January to the 30th of June, 1793, inclusive; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table. MONDAY, December 9. GABRIEL CHRISTIE, from Maryland, THOMAS A petition of Henry K. Van Rensselaer, of the CLAIBORNE and GEORGE HANCOCK, from Virginia, State of New York, was presented to the House JOSEPH WINSTON, from North Carolina, JOHN and read, complaining of an undue election and HUNTER and ANDREW PICKENS, from South Careturn of John E. Van Allen, to serve as a mem-rolina, appeared, produced their credentials, and ber of this House for the said State. Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Committee of Elections. The House resumed the reading of the Message and communications received yesterday from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and made a further progress therein. Mr. MADISON, from the committee appointed to wait on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, to know when and where it will be convenient for him to receive the Address of this House, in answer to his Speech to both Houses of Congress, reported that the committee had waited on the PRESIDENT, who signified to them that it would be convenient to him to receive the said Address at 12 o'clock, to-morrow, at his own house. SATURDAY, December 7. PELEG WADSWORTH, from Massachusetts, and JOSEPH NEVILLE, from Virginia, appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats. took their seats in the House. The House resumed the reading of the Communications received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES on Thursday last, and made a further progress therein. Mr. WILLIAM SMITH, from the Standing Committee of Elections, to whom was referred the petition of Henry K. Van Rensselaer, of the State of New York, complaining of an undue election and return of John E. Van Allen, to serve as a member of this House for the said State, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. TUESDAY, December 10. The House resumed the reading of the Communications received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES on Thursday last, and made a further progress therein. Ordered, That the petition of Henry Latimer, of the State of Delaware, complaining of an undue WEDNESDAY, December 11. BENJAMIN BOURNE and FRANCIS MALBONE, from Rhode Island, appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats in the House. The House resumed the reading of the Communications received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES on Thursday last, and went through the same. Ordered, That the said Communications be committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. The House again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the Speech of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES to both Houses of Congress; and, after some time spent therein, the Chairman reported that the Committee had again had the said Speech under consideration, and come to several resolutions thereupon; which were severally twice read and agreed to by the House, as follow: 1st. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill for completing and better supporting the Military Establishment of the United States. 2d. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to report whether any, and what, amendments are, in their opinion, necessary to the act for establishing an uniform militia throughout the United States. 3d. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to report whether any, and what, alterations or amendments are, in their opinion, necessary to the act to establish the Post Office and Post Roads of the United States. Ordered, That Mr. JEREMIAH WADSWORTH, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. BOUDINOT, Mr. PETER MUHLENBERG, Mr. PARKER, Mr. CARNES, and Mr. BLOUNT, be a committee pursuant to the first resolution. Ordered, That Mr. COBB, Mr. SHERBURNE, Mr. BENJAMIN BOURNE, Mr. VAN CORTLANDT, Mr. MONTGOMERY, Mr. HARRISON, and Mr. PICKENS, be a committee pursuant to the second resolution. Ordered, That Mr. SEDGWICK, Mr. TRACY, Mr. GLENN, Mr. CLARK, Mr. FITZSIMONS, Mr. DENT, Mr. WALKER, Mr. McDowELL, and Mr. HUNTER, be a committee pursuant to the third resolution. Resolved, That this House will, on Friday next, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the said Speech. [H. or R. were then depending and undetermined, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Ordered, That a committee be appointed to examine the laws of the United States, and report to the House such as have expired, or will expire, before the next session; and that Mr. BoUDINOT, Mr. GOODHUE, and Mr. KITTERA, be the said committee. FRIDAY, December 13. THOMAS TREDWELL, from New York, and JOHN credentials, and took their seats. PATTON, from Delaware, appeared, produced their The House again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the Speech of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES to both Houses of Congress; and, after some time spent therein, the Chairman reported that the Committee had again had the said Speech under consideration, and made a further progress therein. Resolved, That this House will, on Monday next, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the said Speech. Ordered, That a committee be appointed to system of bankruptcy throughout the United prepare and bring in a bill to establish an uniform Mr. AMES, Mr. HARTLEY, Mr. HILLHOUSE, Mr. States; and that Mr. GILES, Mr. WILLIAM SMITH, FITZSIMONS, and Mr. BOUDINOT, be the said com mittee. Ordered, That a committee be appointed to the renewal of destroyed certificates of Debt of prepare and bring in a bill to make provision for the United States; and that Mr. LEE, Mr. COFFIN, and Mr. BEATTY, be the said committee. Ordered, That a committee be appointed to and disabled seamen; and that Mr. GOODHUE, Mr. prepare and bring in a bill for the relief of sick WATTS, Mr. NICHOLAS, Mr. WINSTON, and Mr. MALBONE, be the said committee. MONDAY, December 16. Samuel Dexter, Junior, from Massachusetts, JOSHUA COIT and ZEPHANIAH SWIFT, from Connecticut, and RICHARD WINN, from South Carolina, appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats. The SPEAKER laid before the House a Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, requesting that a new inquiry into his official conduct may be instituted, in some mode most effectual for an accurate and thorough investigation; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. The SPEAKER laid before the House a Letter from the Secretary of War,, accompanying a reThe SPEAKER laid before the House a Letter turn of the ordnance, arms, and military stores, in from the Treasurer of the United States, accom-possession of the United States; also, a variety of panying his account of the receipts and expenditures of public moneys, from the 1st of April to the 30th of June, 1793, inclusive; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. BOUDINOT, from the committee appointed to examine the Journal of the last session, and to report therefrom all such matters of business as papers, from A to L, inclusive, giving a view of the Southwestern frontiers, as connected with the Creeks and the State of Georgia and the Southwestern Territory of the United States. The said Letter and Communications were partly read. Ordered, That a committee be appointed to ake into consideration the act "To establish the H. OF R.] Proceedings. [DECEMBER, 1793. WEDNESDAY, December 18. Judicial Courts of the United States," and report some provisions in the case, where any Judge of Mr. WILLIAM SMITH, from the Standing Comthe Courts of the United States is, or may, by mittee of Elections, to whom was referred the pesickness or other disqualifying cause, be rendered tition of Henry K. Van Rensselaer, of the State incapable of discharging the duties of his office; of New York, complaining of an undue election also, some further provision concerning bail, pro-and return of John E. Van Allen, to serve as a cess, and costs, in the Courts of the United States; member of this House for the said State, made a and, generally, to report such amendments to the further report; which was read, and ordered to be said act as they may judge necessary and Consti- committed to a Committee of the Whole House tutional; and that Mr. WILLIAM SMITH, Mr. JEREon Friday next. MIAH SMITH, Mr. MOORE, Mr. MURRAY, Mr. THATCHER, Mr. SCOTT, and Mr. CHRISTIE, be the said committee. A Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, communicating certain confidential communications respecting the transactions of the Government of the United States with Spain. The following Message was received from the of the House of Representatives: I lay before you a Report of the Secretary of State on the measures which have been taken, on behalf of the United States, for the purpose of obtaining a recognition of our Treaty with Morocco, and for the ransom of our citizens and establishment of peace with Algiers. While it is proper our citizens should know that subjects which so much concern their interests and their feelings have duly engaged the attention of their Legislature and Executive, it would still be improper that some particulars of this communication should be made known. The confidential conversation stated in one of Ordered, That the confidential communications received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES on Monday last, respecting the measures which have been pursued for obtaining a recognition of the Treaty between the United States and Morocco, and for the ransom of prisoners and establishment of peace with the Algerines, be committed to a Committee of the Whole House to morrow. The House resumed the reading of the confidential communications from the PRESIDENT, respecting the transactions of the Government of the United States with Spain, and made a further progress therein. THURSDAY, December 19. The SPEAKER laid before the House a Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting an account of receipts and expenditures of the United States for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, and accompanied with the last Letters, sent herewith, is one of these. Both ler of the Treasury; which were read, and orderan explanatory Letter to him from the Comptroljustice and policy require that the source of that informed to lie on the table. ation should remain secret, as a knowledge of the sums meant to have been given for peace and ransom from the Secretary of War, accompanying furThe SPEAKER laid before the House a Letter might have a disadvantageous influence on future pro-ther communications respecting the Southwestern ceedings for the same objects. G. WASHINGTON. TUESDAY, December 17. The SPEAKER laid before the House a Letter and Report from the Commissioners for purchasing the Public Debt, stating the amount of purchases and other proceedings since their last report; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. JEREMIAH WADSWORTH, from the committee appointed, presented a bill for completing and better supporting the Military Establishment of the United States; which was read twice and committed. The House proceeded to the reading of the confidential communications received yesterday from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, respecting the measures which have been pursued for obtaining a recognition of the Treaty between the United States and Morocco, and for the ransom of prisoners and establishment of peace with the Algerines, and went through the same. frontiers, as connected with the Creeks, and the State of Georgia, and the Southwestern Territory of the United States. Ordered, That the said Letter and communications do lie on the table. The SPEAKER laid before the House a Letter from the Secretary of State, accompanying a report on the privileges and restrictions on the commerce of the United States in foreign countries, made pursuant to a resolution of the House of the twenty-third of February, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one; which was read, and ordered to be committed to the Committee of the Whole House to whom are committed the confidential communications from the PRESIDENT respecting the measures which have been pursued for obtaining a recognition of the Treaty between the United States and Morocco, and for the ransom of prisoners and establishment of peace with the Algerines. Ordered, That a committee be appointed to inquire into and report a state of facts respecting sundry French vessels which have taken refuge The House then proceeded to the reading of in the ports of the United States, and their opinthe confidential communications from the PRESI-ion on the pr priety of remitting the foreign tonDENT, respecting the transactions of the Govern-nage thereon; and that Mr. VENABLE, Mr. TALBOT, ment of the United States with Spain, and made and Mr. LYMAN, be the said committee. some progress therein. The House resumed the reading of the confi DECEMBER, 1793.] Contested Election. [H. or R. dential communications from the PRESIDENT re-votes given, and if the major part of the votes be specting the transactions of the Government of the deemed sound, the fate of the election should not United States with Spain, and went through the depend on the plurality of votes in such major part? same. Ordered, That the said communications be committed to the Committee of the Whole House to whom are committed the confidential communications respecting the measures which have been pursued for obtaining a recognition of the Treaty between the United States and Morocco, and for the ransom of prisoners and establishment of peace with the Algerines. FRIDAY, December 20. WILLIAM HINDMAN, from Maryland, and SAMUEL GRIFFIN, from Virginia, appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats. CONTESTED ELECTION. Mr. LEE observed, that this last was the opinion of the committee, and they have stated facts according to this opinion, and finding a major part of the votes duly given and canvassed, and that J. E. Van Allen had a plurality of such major part, they have determined that he was duly returned to serve in the present Congress. A variety of objections were offered to the report of the Committee of Elections; that it did not contain so full a statement of facts as would warrant the Committee of the Whole in deciding on the merits on the election. Sundry allegations of the petition devolved inquiries on the part of the Committee which not only affected the purity of elections, but the privileges of the House, and their right to judge of the qualifications of its members. These inquiries might enable the Comgiven, and the validity of those votes. That the act of the State of New York should be suffered to operate in this case so as to exclude from the House a knowledge of the full amount of the number of votes given, appeared very extraordinary. Mr. LEE stated a number of facts as connected The respective Houses of Congress possess excluwith this subject, and added the following ques-sively the right to judge of the qualifications of tions, viz: The House went into Committee of the Whole on the report of the Committee of Elections re-mittee to determine the number of votes actually specting the election of Mr. J. E. Van Allen. The petition of Mr. Henry Van Rensselaer the two reports of the Committee of Elections, and the election law of the State of New York, were read by the Clerk. their own members. This right includes evident 1. Whether irregularities not deemed by the ly full power to ascertain with precision the actual law of New York sufficient to nullify the votes state of the polls. If the votes of the citizens freegiven shall be regarded by the House of Repre-ly and fairly given can, under any pretext whatsentatives as having that effect? None of the ir-ever, be suppressed, the essential rights of suffrage regularities (observed Mr. LEE) were regarded by the law of New York as sufficient to vitiate the returns of votes made by the inspectors, who are sworn officers, and subject to pains and penalties for failure of duty. If the law of New York is to be observed as a sovereign rule on this occasion, the allegations do not state any facts so material as to require the interference of the House of Representatives. are at an end. It was observed, that corruption in elections was the door at which corruption would creep into the House; that it appeared to be admitted there had been irregularities in some of the towns in the district in question; but it had been made a question-not whether corruption generally should vitiate an election-but what quantum should be sufficient for that purpose; so that corruption was considered, in relation to an 2. Whether, setting aside this first principle, election, by weight or measure. The allegations mere irregularities not alleged to have proceeded of the petition were urged in support of these obfrom corruption, shall nullify the return of sworn jections. These stated sundry irregularities in reofficers; and whether the House of Representa-lation to the returns not corresponding with the tives ought to countenance and inquire into the mere implications of such serious crimes as perjury and corruption, or should require such charges to be expressly and specifically made? numbers of votes given in several towns; the boxes not being properly secured which conveyed the votes to the canvassing committee-one of which had been deposited in the House of the sitting member for a number of hours, &c. 3. Whether it is not an indispensable requisite to the existence of a Representative Government In support of the Committee of Election's rethat at every election a choice should be made? port, it was observed, that the allegations in the 4. Whether, to insure such choice, it be not ne-petition showed that the principal support it restcessary that this principle should be established: that a majority of legal votes, legally given, should decide the issue of an election? 5. Whether, therefore, partial corruption should be deemed sufficient to nullify an election, or only sufficient to vitiate the votes given under such corruption, leaving the election to be decided by the sound votes, however few? 6. Whether, if partial corruption should be deemed sufficient to nullify an election, such corruption should not extend to the major part of the ed on was, that the returning officers of some of the towns in the district from which the sitting member came had rejected a number of votes given in for the petitioner. It was shown, from the provisions of the election law of New York that these votes might have been legally rejected. The petition stated that numbers of persons had sworn that they had voted for the petitioner, whose votes, by the returns, it does not appear were counted. On this, it was observed, that the Committee did not consider this allegation of a |