Messrs. STEPHEN R. BRADLEY, from Vermont, THEODORE FOSTER, from Rhode Island, and RuFUS KING, from New York, appeared and took their seats. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a Letter of the 7th instant, from Samuel Meredith, Treasurer of the United States, with his quarterly accounts, made up to the 31st of March last, together with his accounts respecting the Department of War, made up to the 30th of June last. The Letter was read. Ordered, That the Letter and papers therein referred to lie on the table. Agreeably to the order of the day, the Senate took into consideration the draft of an Address reported by the committee in answer to the Speech of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES to Congress at the opening of the session; which, being amended, and the several paragraphs of the report agreed to, it was adopted, as follows: "To the President of the United States: "Accept, sir, the thanks of the Senate for your Speech delivered to both Houses of Congress at the opening of the session. Your re-election to the Chief Magistracy of the United States gives us sincere pleasure. We consider it as an event every way propitious to the happiness of our country; and your compliance with the call, as a fresh instance of the patriotism which has so repeatedly led you to sacrifice private inclination to the public good. In the unanimity which a second time marks this important national act, we trace, with particular satisfaction, besides the distinguished tribute paid to the virtues and abilities which it recognises, another proof of that just discernment and constancy of sentiments and views which have hitherto characterized the citizens of the United States. "As the European Powers with whom the United States have the most extensive relations were involved in war, in which we had taken no part, it seemed necessary that the disposition of the nation for peace should be promulgated to the world, as well for the purpose of admonishing our citizens of the consequences [SENATE. of a contraband trade and of acts hostile to any of the belligerent parties, as to obtain, by a declaration of the existing legal state of things, an easier admission of our right to the immunities of our situation; we, therefore, contemplate with pleasure the Proclamation by you issued, and give it our hearty approbation. We deem it a measure well-timed and wise, manifesting a watchful solicitude for the welfare of the nation, and calcu lated to promote it. "The several important matters presented to our consideration will, in the course of the session, engage and, as the public happiness will be the sole guide of all the attention to which they are respectively entitled: our deliberations, we are perfectly assured of receiving your strenuous and most zealous co-operation. "JOHN ADAMS, "Vice President of the United States, "and President of the Senate." Ordered, That Messrs. ELLSWORTH and BUTLER wait on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED at what time and place it will be most convenient STATES, and desire him to acquaint the Senate for him that the foregoing Address should be presented. TUESDAY, December 10. JOHN BROWN, from the State of Kentucky, attended to-day. Mr. ELLSWORTH reported, from the committee appointed yesterday to wait on the PREsident of THE UNITED STATES, that the PRESIDENT proposed to receive the Address of the Senate this day, at 12 o'clock, at his own house. Whereupon, the Senate waited on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and the VICE PRESIDENT, in their name, presented the Address agreed to on the 9th instant. To this Address the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES was pleased to make the following Reply: "GENTLEMEN: The pleasure expressed by the Sonate on my re-election to the station which I fill, commands my sincere and warmest acknowledgments. If this be an event which promises the smallest addition to the happiness of our country, as it is my duty, so shall it be my study, to realize the expectation. "The decided approbation which the Proclamation now receives from your House, by completing the proofs that this measure is considered as manifesting a vigilant attention to the welfare of the United States, brings with it a peculiar gratification to my mind. "The other important subjects which have been communicated to you will, I am confident, receive a due discussion; and the result will, I trust, prove fortunate to the United States. "G. WASHINGTON.” The Senate then returned to their Chamber, and resumed the reading of the papers communicated in the Message of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES of the 5th instant, but adjourned before they were got through. WEDNESDAY, December 11. CALEB STRONG, from Massachusetts, attended to-day. The credentials of Mr. BROWN and Mr. STRONG were read, the usual oath administered to them, and they took their seats. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a Letter from the Treasurer of the United States, with his specie account, made up to the 30th of June last; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Ordered, That Messrs. RUTHERFORD, CABOT, ELLSWORTH, LIVERMORE, and MITCHELL, be a committee to take into consideration the petition of Conrad Laub and others, stating that the Hon. ALBERT GALLATIN, at the time he was elected a Senator of the United States, had not been nine years a citizen of the said United States, as is required by the Constitution, and report thereon to the Senate. The Senate resumed the reading of the papers referred to in the Message of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES of the 5th instant; and, after progress, adjourned. in the Senate. The Communications from the Secretary of the Department of War, of the 4th instant, were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a Letter from the Secretary of the Department of War, with a return of the ordnance, arms, and military stores, in possession of the United States, together with a variety of papers, giving a view of the Southwestern frontiers, as connected with the Creek Indians and the State of Georgia, and the Southwestern territory of the United States and the Cherokees; which Letter was read. Ordered, That the Letter and papers therein referred to lie on the table. The following Messages were received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and read: Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: The situation of affairs in Europe, in the course of the year 1790, having rendered it possible that a moment might arrive favorable for the arrangement of our unsettled matters with Spain, it was thought proper to prepare our Representative at that Court to avail us of it. A confidential person was therefore despatched to be the bearer of instructions to him, and to supply, by verbal communications, any additional information of which he might find himself in need. The Government of France was, at the same time, applied to for its aid and influence in this negotiation. Events, how [DECEMBER, 1793. ever, took a turn which did not present the occasion hoped for. About the close of the ensuing year I was informed, through the Representatives of Spain here, that their Government would be willing to renew at Madrid the former conferences on these subjects. Though the transfer of scene was not what would have been desired, yet I did not think it important enough to reject the proposition; and, therefore, with the advice and consent of the Senate, I appointed Commissioners Plenipotentiary for negotiating and concluding a Treaty with that tion, and commerce, and gave them the instructions country, on the several subjects of boundary, naviganow communicated. Before these negotiations, however, could be got into train, the new troubles which had arisen in Europe had produced new combinations among the Powers there, the effects of which are but too visible in the proceedings now laid before you. In the meantime some other points of discussion had arisen with that country, to wit: the restitution of property escaping into the territories of each other, the mutual exchange of fugitives from justice, and, above all, the mutual interferences with the Indians lying between us. I had the best reason to believe that the Indians on our border were excited by the agents of hostilities threatened and exercised by the Southern that Government. Representations were thereon directed to be made by our Commissioners to the Spanish Government, and a proposal to cultivate, with good faith, the peace of each other with those people. In the mean time corresponding suspicions were entertained, or pretended to be entertained, on their part, of like hostile excitements by our agents to disturb their peace with the same nations. These were brought forward by the Representatives of Spain here, in a style which could not fail to produce attention. A claim of patronage and protection of those Indians was asserted; assumed; their boundaries with us made a subject of a mediation between them and us by that Sovereign when these savages were committing daily inroads upon his interference; and, at length, at the very moment our frontier, we were informed by them that "the continuation of the peace, good harmony, and perfect friendship of the two nations, was very problematical for the future, unless the United States should take more convenient measures, and of greater energy, than those adopted for a long time past." I If their previous correspondence had worn the appearance of a desire to urge on a disagreement, this last declaration left no room to evade it, since it could not be conceived we would submit to the scalping-knife and tomahawk of the savage without any resistance. thought it time, therefore, to know if these were the views of their Sovereign, and despatched a special messenger with instructions to our Commissioners, which are among the papers now communicated. Their last letter gives us reason to expect very shortly to know the result. I must add that the Spanish Representatives here, perceiving that their last communication had made considerable impression, endeavored to abate this by some subsequent professions, which, being also among the communications to the Legislature, they will be able to form their own conclusions. GO. WASHINGTON. 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 the last letters, sent herewith, is one of these. Both justice and policy require that the source of that information should remain secret. So a knowledge of the sums meant to have been given for peace and ransom might have a disadvantageous influence on future proceedings for the same objects. GO. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, December 16, 1793. These Messages were ordered to lie for consideration. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the following Report, to wit: "The Vice President of the United States and Presi dent of the Senate, the Chief Justice, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Attorney General, respectfully report to Congress, as follows: "That, pursuant to the act entitled An act making further provision for the reduction of the Public Debt,' and in conformity to resolutions agreed upon by them, and severally approved by the President of the United States, they have, since their report of the 17th of November, 1792, caused purchases of the said Debt to be made, through the agency of Samuel Meredith and Jonathan Burrall, respectively, to the amount of $523,735 21 in stock, for which there have been paid, in specie, $426,842 75. That, pursuant to the act entitled An act supplementary to the act making provision for the Debt of the United States,' and in conformity to resolutions agreed upon by them, and severally approved by the President of the United States, they have also caused purchases of the said Debt to be made subsequent to their said report of the 17th of November, 1792, to the amount of $122,538 14 in stock, for which there have been paid $75,660 87, in specie. That the several documents accompanying this report marked Aa, Ba, and Nos. 1 to 7, with their enclosures, show the aforesaid purchases, generally and in detail, including the places where, the time when, the prices at which, and the persons to whom, they have been made. That the purchases now and heretofore reported amount, together, to $2,019,193 10 in stock, for which there have been paid $1,394,664 40, in specie, as will be be more particularly seen by the document aforesaid marked Aa. On behalf of the Board: [SENATE. relative to the negotiations with the Court of Spain, were in part read; and, after progress, the Senate adjourned. WEDNESDAY, December 18. The Communications received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES on the 16th instant, relative to the negotiations with the Court of Spain, were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a Letter from the Secretary of the Department of War, of this date, communicating further information relative to the Southwestern frontiers; which Letter and papers were read, and ordered to lie on the table. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a Letter from the Secretary of the Department of State, of the 16th instant, with a report on the privileges and restrictions on the commerce of the United States in foreign countries; which were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. THURSDAY, December 19. The Communications received from the Secretary of the Department of War on the 16th instant, relative to further information respecting the Southwestern frontiers, were in part read; and, after progress, the Senate adjourned. FRIDAY, December 20. munications from the Secretary of the DepartThe Senate resumed the reading of the Comment of War on the 16th instant, relative to further information respecting the Southwestern frontiers; and, after progress, the Senate adjourned. MONDAY, December 23. Mr. BRADLEY notified the Senate that, on Wednesday next, he should move for leave to bring in a bill for altering the Flag of the United States. The Senate resumed the reading of the Communications from the Secretary of the Department of War, on the 16th instant, relative to further information respecting the Southwestern frontiers; and, after progress, the Senate adjourned. TUESDAY, December 24. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: "Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: "Since the communications which were made to you on the affairs of the United States with Spain, and on the truce between Portugal and Algiers, some other papers have been received, which, making a part of the same subjects, are now communicated for your information. G. WASHINGTON. "UNITED STATES, December 23, 1793." The Message and papers referred to were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. Mr. BUTLER notified the Senate that he should, on some day the next week, request leave to bring in a bill in addition to the act, entitled "An act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States." The following motion was made and seconded, to wit: That the Constitution be amended by adding, at the end of the ninth section of the first article, the following clause: "Nor shall any person holding any office or stock in any institution in the nature of a Bank for issuing or discounting bills or notes payable to bearer or order, under the authority of the United States, be a member of either House whilst he holds such office or stock; but no power to grant any charter of incorporation, or any commercial or other monopoly, shall be herein implied." And it was agreed that this motion should lie for consideration: Ordered, That Messrs. STRONG, ELLSWORTH, and KING, be a committee to take into consideration that part of the PRESIDENT's Speech which recommends a further provision against offences. The Senate resumed the reading of the communications from the Secretary of the Department of War of the 16th instant, relative to further information respecting the Southwestern frontiers; and, after progress, the Senate adjourned to Thursday next. THURSDAY, December 26. Agreeably to notice given on the 23d instant, Mr. BRADLEY obtained leave to bring in a bill making an alteration in the Flag of the United States; and the bill was read the first time, and ordered to a second reading. [JANUARY, 1794. Ordered, That this petition, together with the communications from the Secretary of the Department of War, respecting Indian Affairs, be referred to Messrs. JACKSON, STRONG, BURR, BUTLER, and LANGDON, to consider and report thereon. TUESDAY, December 31. The following Messages were received from the PResident of the UNITED STATES: Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives : I lay before you, for your consideration, a Letter from the Secretary of State, informing me of certain impediments which have arisen to the coinage of the precious metals at the Mint. As also a Letter from the same officer, relative to certain advances of money which have been made on public account. Should you think proper to sanction what has been done, or be of opinion that any thing more shall be done in the same way, you will judge whether there are not circumstances which would render secrecy expedient, G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, December 30, 1793. Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: I communicate to you the translation of a Letter received from the Representatives of Spain here, in reply to that of the Secretary of State to them, of the 21st instant, which had before been communicated to you. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, December 30, 1793. The Messages and papers therein referred to were severally read, and ordered to lie for consi deration. The Senate resumed the reading of the commuMr. RUTHERFURD reported, from the committee nications from the Secretary of the Department to whom was referred the petition of Conrad Laub of War of the 16th instant, relative to further in-and others, stating that the Hon. ALBERT GALLAformation respecting the Southwestern frontiers; and, after progress, the Senate adjourned. TIN, at the time he was elected a Senator of the United States, had not been nine years a citizen of the said United States, as is required by the Constitution; which report was read, and ordered to lie for consideration. The Message and papers therein referred to were severally read, and ordered to lie for consideration. THURSDAY, January 2. A motion was made that it be "Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, That the following article be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States; which, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, shall be valid as part of the said Constitution, to wit: "The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State." On which a motion was made as follows: "Resolved, That the consideration of this motion be postponed, and that the Senate will, on the 10th instant, take into consideration the subject of amendments to the Constitution." Whereupon, it was agreed to divide the motion for amendment, and the first clause was adopted, to wit: "That the consideration of the original motion be postponed ;" TUESDAY, January 7. [SENATE. The following Messages were received from the of the House of Representatives: Experience has shown that it would be useful to have the Department of War, with the duties of receiving, an officer particularly charged, under the direction of safe-keeping, and distributing the public supplies, in all cases in which the laws and the course of service do not devolve them upon other officers; and, also, with that of superintending, in all cases, the issues, in detail, of supplies, with power, for that purpose, to bring to account all persons intrusted to make such issues, in re lation thereto. An establishment of this nature, by securing a regular and punctual accountability for the issues of public supplies, would be a great guard against abuse, would tend to insure their due application, and to give public satisfaction on that point. visable. I therefore recommend to the consideration of Congress the expediency of an establishment of this nature, under such regulations as shall appear to them adG. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, January 7, 1794. Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: ture to the end of the year 1793, from the sum of ten I lay before you an official statement of the expendithousand dollars, granted to defray the contingent exAnd, the latter clause of the motion for post-penses of Government, by an act passed on the 26th of ponement being amended, it was March, 1790. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, January 7, 1794. Resolved, That the Senate will, on the 13th instant, take into consideration the subject of amendments to the Constitution. FRIDAY, January 3. A motion was made and seconded, that the Secretary of the Treasury lay before the Senate the following returns, to wit: A statement of the goods, wares, and merchandise, exported from the several States from the 1st of July, 1792, to the 1st of July, 1793, specifying the quantities and value of each kind, and the several countries to which the same have respectively been exported. A statement of the goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into the several States for the same period, specifying the quantities and the prime cost, and dutied value of each kind, and the several countries from which the same have respectively been imported. The Messages and paper referred to in the lastrecited Message, were severally read, and ordered to lie for consideration. WEDNESDAY, January 8. Ordered, That the Message of the PRESIDENT of the United STATES, of the 7th instant, respecting the usefulness of an officer particularly charged with the duties of receiving, safe-keeping, and distributing the public supplies in certain cases, be referred to Messrs. ELLSWORTH, TAYLOR, and BRADLEY, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. The following motion was made and seconded: before this House the following statements, to wit: Ordered, That the Secretary of the Treasury do lay First. A statement of the Domestic Debt of the United States, as due on the 1st day of January, 1794, A statement of the tonnage of foreign vessels entered into the several States during the same period, specify-specifying under distinct heads ing the several countries to which the said vessels respectively belong. A statement of the tonnage of the United States vessels entered into the several States during the same period, distinguishing those employed in fisheries, in the coasting and in the foreign trade, and specifying the several countries from which the said vessels employed in said trade came. Ordered, That this motion lie for consideration. MONDAY, January 6. The Senate met to-day, but done no business. 1st. The Funded Debt, distinguishing the six per kind of stock, stating, separately, the amount created cents, three per cents, and deferred stock, and in each by the assumption of the State Debts: 2d. The Registered Debt. 3d. The Debt subscribable to the Loan of the United States, but which, not being funded or registered at the Treasury, is not entitled to a dividend. 4th. The balances due to creditor States and already funded, (if there be any such,) being the excess of the sum respectively by law assumed, for such States, above the sums actually subscribed in the Debts of the said States. |