PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES

THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,

AT THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FOURTEENTH CONGRESS, BEGUN AT THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1815.

for the accommodation of Congress may be obtained, until the Capitol may be ready for their reception.

Resolved, That Messrs. HORSEY, LACOCK, and FROMENTIN, be the committee on the part of the Senate.

DECEMBER, 1815.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that a quorum of the House of Representatives is assembled, and have elected HENRY CLAY, one of the Representatives for the State of Kentucky, their Speaker, and THOMAS DOUGHERTY, their Clerk, and are ready to proOn motion, by Mr. VARNUM, ceed to business. They have appointed a comResolved, That each Senator be supplied, dur-mittee on their part, to join the committee aping the present session, with three such newspa-pointed on the part of the Senate, to wait on the pers, printed in any of the States, as he may President of the United States, and inform him choose; provided the same be furnished at the usual rate for the annual charge of such papers; and provided, also, that if any Senator shall choose to take any newspapers other than daily papers; he shall be supplied with as many such papers, as shall not exceed the price of three daily papers.

On motion, by Mr. LACOCK, a committee was appointed agreeably to the forty-second rule for conducting business in the Senate; and Messrs. LACOCK, HOWELL, and DAGGETT, were appointed the committee.

On motion, by Mr. FROMENTIN, a committee was appointed agreeably to the twenty-second rule for conducting business in the Senate; and Messrs. FROMENTIN, SANFORD, and TICHENOR, were appointed the committee.

Mr. FROMENTIN submitted the following motion for consideration, which was read, and ordered to the second reading:

Resolved, That a committee of three members be appointed, who, with three members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by that House, shall have the direction of the money appropriated to the purchase of books and maps, for the use of the two Houses of Congress.

that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled,
and ready to receive any communications he
may be pleased to make to them. They concur
in the resolution of the Senate for the appoint-
ment of a joint committee on the arrangements
for the library, and have appointed a committee
on their part. They also concur in the resolu-
tion of the Senate for the appointment of a joint
committee, to inquire and report of the state of
the new building on Capitol Hill, offered for the
accommodation of Congress, and have appointed
a committee on their part.

Mr. VARNUM reported, from the joint commit-
tee, that they had waited on the President of the
United States, and that the President informed
the committee, that he would make a communi-
cation to the two Houses this day at 12 o'clock.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

The following Message was received from the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
Fellow-citizens of the Senate

and House of Representatives:

I have the satisfaction, on our present meeting, of being able to communicate to you the successful termination of the war which had been commenced against On motion, by Mr. LACOCK, it was read a sec- the United States by the Regency of Algiers. The ond time by unanimous consent, and considered squadron in advance on that service, under Commoas in Committee of the Whole, and no amend- dore Decatur, lost not a moment after its arrival in the ment having been proposed, the President re- Mediterranean, in seeking the naval force of the enemy ported it to the House accordingly; and on the then cruising in that sea, and succeeded in capturing question, "Shall this resolution be engrossed and two of his ships, one of them the principal ship, comread a third time?" it was determined in the affir- manded by the Algerine Admiral. The high character mative. It was then read a third time by unani- of the American commander was brilliantly sustained mous consent, and passed; and Messrs. FROMEN-action with that of his adversary, as was the accuson the occasion, which brought his own ship into close TIN, HUNTER, and GOLDSBOROUGH, were ap- tomed gallantry of all the officers and men actually pointed the committee. Mr. HOWELL submitted a motion for the ap- stration of American skill and prowess, he hastened to engaged. Having prepared the way by this demonpointment of two Chaplains, of different denomi- the port of Algiers, where peace was promptly yielded nations, to Congress, during the present session, to his victorious force. In the terms stipulated, the one by each House, who shall interchange week-rights and honor of the United States were particularly ly; which was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. LACOCK submitted the following motion for consideration, which was read:

consulted, by a perpetual relinquishment, on the part of the Dey, of all pretensions to tribute from them. The impressions which have thus been made, strengthened as they will have been, by subsequent transactions with the Regencies of Tunis and of Tripoli, by the appearance of the larger force which followed under Commodore Bainbridge, the chief in command of the expedition, and by the judicious precautionary arex-rangements left by him in that quarter, afford a reasonable prospect of future security, for the valuable portion of our commerce which passes within reach of the Barbary cruisers.

Resolved, That Mountjoy Bayly, Doorkeeper and Sergeant-at-Arms to the Senate, be, and he hereby is, authorized to employ one assistant and two horses, for the purpose of performing such services as are usually required by the Doorkeeper of the Senate; which pense shall be paid out of the contingent fund. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading.

TUESDAY, December 5.

It is another source of satisfaction that the Treaty of
Peace with Great Britain has been succeeded by a

WILLIAM W. BIBB, from the State of Georgia, Convention on the subject of commerce, concluded by took his seat in the Senate.

the Plenipotentiaries of the two countries. In this

result a disposition is manifested on the part of that nation, corresponding with the disposition of the United States, which, it may be hoped, will be improved into liberal arrangements on other subjects, on which the parties have mutual interests, or which might endanger their future harmony. Congress will decide on the expediency of promoting such a sequel, by giving effect to the measure of confining the American navigation to American seamen; a measure which, at the same time that it might have that conciliatory tendency, would have the further advantage of increasing the independence of our navigation, and the resources for our maritime defence.

SENATE.

decision by the standard of comparative merit could seldom be attained. Judged, however, in candor, by a general standard of positive merit, the Army register will, it is believed, do honor to the establishment; while the case of those officers, whose names are not included in it, devolves, with the strongest interest, upon the Legislative authority, for such provision as shall be deemed the best calculated to give support and solace to the veteran and the invalid; to display the beneficence, as well as the justice, of the Government; and to inspire a martial zeal for the public service upon every future emergency.

Although the embarrassments arising from the want In conformity with the articles in the Treaty of of an uniform National currency have not been diminGhent, relating to the Indians, as well as with a view ished since the adjournment of Congress, great satisto the tranquillity of our Western and Northern fron-faction has been derived in contemplating the revival tiers, measures were taken to establish an immediate peace with the several tribes who had been engaged in hostilities against the United States. Such of them as were invited to Detroit acceded readily to a renewal of the former treaties of friendship. Of the other tribes who were invited to a station on the Mississippi, the greatest number have also accepted the peace offered to them. The residue, consisting of the more distant tribes, or parts of tribes, remain to be brought over by farther explanations, or by such other means as may be adapted to the dispositions they may finally disclose. The Indian tribes within, and bordering on the Southern frontier, whom a cruel war on their part had compelled us to chastise into peace, have latterly shown a restlessness, which has called for preparatory measures for repressing it, and for protecting the Commissioners engaged in carrying the terms of peace into

execution.

The execution of the act for fixing the Military Peace Establishment, has been attended with difficulties which even now can only be overcome by Legislative aid. The selection of officers; the payment and discharge of the troops enlisted for the war; the payment of the retained troops, and their re-union from detached and distant stations; the collection and security of the public property in the Quartermaster, Commissary, and Ordnance Departments; and the constant medical assistance required in hospitals and garrisons, rendered a complete execution of the act impracticable on the first of May, the period more immediately contemplated. As soon, however, as circumstances would permit, and as far as it has been practicable, consistently with the public interests, the reduction of the Army has been accomplished; but the appropriations for its pay and for other branches of the military service, having proved inadequate, the earliest attention to that subject will be necessary; and the expediency of continuing, upon the Peace Establishment, the staff officers who have hitherto been provisionally retained, is also recommended to the consideration of Congress.

In the performance of the Executive duty upon this occasion, there has not been wanting a just sensibility to the merits of the American Army during the late war: but the obvious policy and design in fixing an efficient Military Peace Establishment did not afford an opportunity to distinguish the aged and infirm, on account of their past services; nor the wounded and disabled, on account of their present sufferings. The extent of the reduction, indeed, unavoidably involved the exclusion of many meritorious officers of every rank from the service of their country; and so equal, as well as so numerous, were the claims to attention, that a

of the public credit, and the efficiency of the public resources. The receipts into the Treasury, from the various branches of revenue, during the nine months ending on the 30th of September last, have been estimated at twelve millions and a half of dollars; the issues of Treasury notes of every denomination, during the same period, amounted to the sum of fourteen millions of dollars; and there was also obtained upon loan, during the same period, a sum of nine millions of dollars; of which the sum of six millions of dollars was subscribed in cash, and the sum of three millions of dollars in Treasury notes. With these means, added to the sum of one million and a half of dollars, being the balance of money in the Treasury on the first of January, there has been paid, between the first of January and the first of October, on account of the appropriations of the preceding and of the present year, (exclusively of the amount of the Treasury notes subscribed to the loan, and of the amount redeemed in the payment of duties and taxes,) the aggregate sum of thirty-three millions and a half of dollars, leaving a balance then in the Treasury estimated at the sum of three millions of dollars. Independent, however, of the arrearages due for military services and supplies, it is presumed that a further sum of five millions of dollars, including the interest on the public debt payable on the first of January next, will be demanded at the Treasury to complete the expenditures of the present year, and for which the existing ways and means will sufficiently provide.

The National debt, as it was ascertained on the first of October last, amounted in the whole to the sum of one hundred and twenty millions of dollars, consisting of the unredeemed balance of the debt contracted before the late war, (thirty-nine millions of dollars,) the amount of the funded debt contracted in consequence of the war, (sixty-four millions of dollars,) and the amount of the unfunded and floating debt, (including the various issues of Treasury notes,) seventeen millions of dollars, which is in a gradual course of payment. There will, probably, be some addition to the public debt, upon the liquidation of various claims, which are depending; and a conciliatory disposition on the part of Congress may lead honorably and advantageously to an equitable arrangement of the militia expenses incurred by the several States, without the previous sanction or authority of the Government of the United States; but when it is considered that the new, as well as the old portion of the debt has been contracted in the assertion of the national rights and indepen dence; and when it is recollected that the public expenditures, not being exclusively bestowed upon subjects of a transient nature, will long be visible in the

number and equipments of the American navy, in the military works for the defence of our harbors and our frontiers, and in the supplies of our arsenals and magazines, the amount will bear a gratifying_comparison with the objects which have been attained, as well as with the resources of the country.

The arrangements of the finances, with a view to the receipts and expenditures of a permanent Peace Establishment, will necessarily enter into the deliberations of Congress during the present session. It is true that the improved condition of the public revenue will not afford the means of maintaining the faith of the Government with its creditors inviolate, and of prosecuting, successfully, the measures of the most liberal policy, but will also justify an immediate alleviation of the burdens imposed by the necessities of the war. It is, however, essential to every modification of the finances, that the benefits of an uniform National currency should be restored to the community. The absence of the precious metals will, it is believed, be a temporary evil; but, until they can again be rendered the general medium of exchange, it devolves on the wisdom of Congress to provide a substitute, which shall equally engage the confidence, and accommodate the wants of the citizens throughout the Union. If the operation of the State banks cannot produce this result, the probable operation of a National Bank will merit consideration; and if neither of these expedients be deemed effectual, it may become necessary to ascertain the terms upon which the notes of the Government (no longer required as an instrument of credit) shall be issued, upon motives of general policy, as a common medium of circulation.

DECEMBER, 1815.

ally, the physical power of the Union in the cases designated by the Constitution.

The signal services which have been rendered by our Navy, and the capacities it has developed for successful co-operation in the national defence, will give to that portion of the public force its full value in the eyes of Congress, at an epoch which calls for the constant vigilance of all Governments. To preserve the ships now in a sound state; to complete those already contemplated; to provide amply the imperishable materials for prompt augmentations, and to improve the existing arrangements into more advantageous establishments, for the construction, the repairs, and the security of the vessels of war, is dictated by the soundest policy.

In adjusting the duties on imports, to the object of revenue, the influence of the tariff on manufactures will necessarily present itself for consideration. However wise the theory may be, which leaves to the sagacity and interest of individuals the application of their industry and resources, there are in this, as in other cases, exceptions to the general rule. Besides the condition which the theory itself implies, of a reciprocal adoption by other nations, experience teaches that so many circumstances must concur in introducing and maturing manufacturing establishments, especially of the more complicated kinds, that a country may remain long without them, although sufficiently advanced, and, in some respects, even peculiarly fitted for carrying them on with success. Under circumstances giving a powerful impulse to manufacturing industry, it has made among us a progress, and exhibited an efficiency, which justify the belief that, with a protection not more than is due to the enterprising citizens whose interests are now at stake, it will become, at an early day, not only safe against occasional competitions from abroad, but a source of domestic

Nothwithstanding the security for future repose, which the United States ought to find in their love of peace, and their constant respect for the rights of other nations, the character of the times particularly inculcates the lesson, that, whether to prevent or repel dan-wealth, and even of external commerce. In selecting ger, we ought not to be unprepared for it. This consideration will sufficiently recommend to Congress a liberal provision for the immediate extension and gradual completion of the works of defence, both fixed and floating, on our maritime frontier, and an adequate provision for guarding our inland frontier against dangers to which certain portions of it may continue to be exposed.

the branches more especially entitled to the public patronage, a preference is obviously claimed by such as will relieve the United States from a dependence on foreign supplies, ever subject to casual failures, for articles necessary for the public defence, or connected with the primary wants of individuals. It will be an additional recommendation of particular manufactures, where the materials for them are extensively drawn from our agriculture, and consequently impart and insure to that great fund of national prosperity and independence an encouragement which cannot fail to be rewarded.

As an improvement in our Military Establishment, it will deserve the consideration of Congress, whether a corps of invalids might not be so organized and employed, as at once to aid in the support of meritorious individuals, excluded by age or infirmities from the Among the means of advancing the public interest, existing establishment, and to procure to the public the occasion is a proper one for recalling the attention the benefit of their stationary services, and of their ex- of Congress to the great importance of establishing emplary discipline. I recommend, also, an enlarge- throughout our country the roads and canals which ment of the Military Academy, already established, can be best executed, under the national authority. and the establishment of others in other sections of the No objects within the circle of political economy so Union. And I cannot press too much on the atten- richly repay the expense bestowed on them; there are tion of Congress, such a classification and organization none, the utility of which is more universally ascerof the militia as will most effectually render it the safe- tained and acknowledged; none that do more honor guard of a free State. If experience has shown, in the to the Governments whose wise and enlarged patriotrecent splendid achievements of militia, the value of ism duly appreciates them. Nor is there any country this resource for the public defence, it has shown also which presents a field, where nature invites more the the importance of that skill in the use of arms, and art of man, to complete her own work, for his acthat familiarity with the essential rules of discipline, commodation and benefit. These considerations are which cannot be expected from the regulations now strengthened, moreover, by the political effect of these in force. With this subject is intimately connected facilities for intercommunication, in bringing and bindthe necessity of accommodating the laws, in every re- ing more closely together the various parts of our exspect, to the great object of enabling the political au- tended confederacy. Whilst the States, individually, thority of the Union to employ, promptly and effectu- | with a laudable enterprise and emulation, avail them

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