The great tribes on our Southwestern quarter, much advanced beyond the others in agriculture and household arts, appear tranquil and identifying their views with ours, in proportion to their advancement. With the whole of these people, in every quarter, I shall continue to inculcate peace, and friendship with all their neighbors, and perseverance in those occupations and pursuits which will best promote their own wellbeing. The appropriations of the last session, for the defence of our seaport towns and harbors, were made under expectation that a continuance of our peace would permit us to proceed in that work according to our convenience. It has been thought better to apply the sums then given towards the defence of New York, Charleston, and New Orleans, chiefly, as most open and most likely first to need protection, and to leave places less immediately in danger to the provisions of the present session. The gunboats, too, already provided, have, on a like principle, been chiefly assigned to New York, New Orleans, and the Chesapeake. Whether our movable force on the water, so material in aid of the defensive works on the land, should be augmented in this or any other form, is left to the wisdom of the Legislature. For the purpose of manning these vessels, in sudden attacks on our harbors, it is a matter of consideration whether the seamen of the United States may not justly be formed into a special militia, to be called on for tours of duty in defence of the harbors where they shall happen to be; the ordinary militia of the place furnishing that portion which may consist of landsmen. The moment our peace was threatened, I deemed it indispensable to secure a greater provision of those articles of military stores with which our magazines were not sufficiently furnished. To have awaited a previous and special sanction by law would have lost occasions which might not be retrieved. I did not hesitate, therefore, to authorize engagements for such supplements to our existing stock as would render it adequate to the emergencies threatening us; and I trust that the Legislature, feeling the same anxiety for the safety of our country, so materially advanced by this precaution, will approve, when done, what they would have seen so important to be done, if then assembled. Expenses, also unprovided for, arose out of the necessity of calling all our gunboats into actual service for the defence of our harbors, of all which accounts will be laid before you. Whether a regular army is to be raised, and to what extent, must depend on the information so shortly expected. In the mean time, I have called on the States for quotas of militia, to be in readiness for present defence; and have, moreover, encouraged the acceptance of volunteers, and I am happy to inform you that these have offered themselves with great alacrity in every part of the Union. They are ordered to be organized, and ready at a moment's warning, to proceed on any service to which they may be called, and every preparation within the Executive powers has been made to insure us the benefit of early exertions. SENATE. ranging the difficulties presenting themselves on the Sabine, repairing to meet those arising on the Mississippi, and dissipating, before their explosion, plots engendering there. I shall think it my duty to lay before you the proceedings, and the evidence publicly exhibited on the arraignment of the principal offenders before the circuit court of Virginia. You will be enabled to judge whether the defect was in the testimony, in the law, or in the administration of the law, and wherever it shall be found, the Legislature alone can apply or originate the remedy. The framers of our Constitution certainly supposed they had guarded, as well their Government against destruction by treason, as their citizens against oppression, under pretence of it, and if these ends are not attained, it is of importance to inquire by what means more effectual they may be secured. The accounts of the receipts of revenue during the year ending on the thirtieth day of September last, being not yet made up, a correct statement will be hereafter transmitted from the Treasury. In the mean time, it is ascertained that the receipts have amounted to near sixteen millions of dollars, which, with the five millions and an half in the Treasury at the beginning of the year, have enabled us, after meeting the current demands and interest incurred, to pay more than four millions of the principal of our funded debt. These payments, with those of the preceding five and a half years, have extinguished of the funded debt twenty-five millions and a half of dollars, being the whole which could be paid or purchased within the limits of the law and of our contracts, and have left us in the Treasury eight millions and a half of dollars. A portion of this sum may be considered as a commencement of accumulation of the surplusses of revenue, which, after paying the instalments of debt as they shall become payable, will remain without any specific object. It may partly indeed be applied towards completing the defence of the exposed points of our country, on such a scale as shall be adapted to our principles and circumstances. This object is doubtless among the first entitled to attention, in such a state of our finances, and it is one which, whether we have peace or war, will provide security where it is due. Whether what shall remain of this, with the future surplusses, may be usefully applied to purposes already authorized, or more usefully to others requiring new authorities, or how otherwise they shall be disposed of, are questions calling for the notice of Congress, unless indeed they shall be superseded by a change in our public relations, now awaiting the determination of others. Whatever be that determination, it is a great consolation that it will cil of the nation is assembled at its post, and ready to become known at a moment when the Supreme Coungive the aids of its wisdom and authority to whatever course the good of our country shall then call us to pursue. Matters of minor importance will be the subjects of future communications, and nothing shall be wanting on my part which may give information or despatch to the proceedings of the Legislature in the exercise of their high duties, and at a moment so interesting to the public welfare. OCTOBER 27, 1807. TH. JEFFERSON. I informed Congress at their last session of the enter prises against the public peace, which were believed to be in preparation by Aaron Burr and his associates, of the measures taken to defeat them, and to bring the offenders to justice. Their enterprises were happily The Message was read, and three hundred copdefeated by the patriotic exertions of the militia when-ies thereof, together with the documents therein ever called into action, by the fidelity of the Army and referred to, ordered to be printed for the use of the energy of the Commander-in-Chief, in promptly arSenate. WEDNERDAY, October 28. Mr. ADAMS Submitted the following motions, for consideration: "That so much of the President's Message as relates to the recent outrages committed by British armed vessels within the jurisdiction, and in the waters of the United States, and to the Legislative provisions which may be expedient as resulting from them, be referred to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise." "That so much of the said Message as relates to the formation of the seamen of the United States into a special militia, for the purpose of occasional defence of the harbors against sudden attacks, be referred to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise." Mr. MITCHILL Submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That the part of the President's Message which relates to the defence of our seaport towns and harbors, and the further provisions to be made for their security, be referred to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise. THURSDAY, October 29. JAMES HILLHOUSE, from the State of Connecticut, attended. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House concur in the resolution sent from the Senate for the appointment of Chaplains to Congress during the present session. On motion, the Senate proceeded to the election of a Chaplain on their part, in pursuance of the resolution of the two Houses, and the whole number of votes collected was 21, of which the Rev. Mr. GANTT had 11, and was accordingly elected. FRIDAY, October 30. The Senate took into consideration the motion made on the 28th instant, "That so much of the 'Message of the President of the United States as relates to the recent outrages committed by British armed vessels within the jurisdiction and in the waters of the United States, and to the Legislative provisions which may be expedient as resulting from them, be referred to a select com'mittee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise," and agreed thereto; and, Ordered, That Messrs. ADAMS, SMITH, of Maryland, MILLEDGE, MITCHILL, and ANDERSON, be the committee. The Senate also took into consideration the other motion made on the 28th instant, "That so much of the Message of the President of the 'United States as relates to the formation of the 'seamen of the United States into a special militia, for the purpose of occasional defence of the ' harbors against sudden attacks, be referred to a 'select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise," and agreed thereto; and, Ordered, That Messrs. SMITH of Maryland, BRADLEY, and SUMTER, be the committee. 6 A motion was made by Mr. ADAMS that the following rule be added to the rules for conduct ing business in the Senate. NOVEMBER, 1807. "At the commencement of every session a committee of three members shall be appointed, whose duty it shall be to audit and control the contingent expenses of the Senate. Ordered, That this motion lie for consideration. Mr WHITE Submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of extinguishing the claims of the United States to certain balances reported to be due from several of the States to the United States, by the Commissioners appointed to settle the accounts of the individual States with the United States, and that the said committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise. MONDAY, November 2. JOHN GAILLARD, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of South Carolina, for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth day of March last, and JOHN SMITH, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of New York, for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth day of March last, respectively took their seats, and the oath prescribed by law was administered to them: their credentials having been read and filed during the last session. On motion, by Mr. MILLEDGE, it was Resolved, That the members of the Senate, from a sincere desire of showing every mark of respect due to the memory of the honorable ABRAHAM BALDWIN, deceased, late a member thereof, will go into mourning for him one month, by the usual mode of wearing a crape round the left arm. On motion, by Mr. HILLHOUSE, it was Resolved, That the members of the Senate from a sincere desire of showing every mark of respect due to the memery of the honorable URIAH TRACY, deceased, late a member thereof, will go into mourning for him one month, by the usual mode of wearing a crape round the left arm. tions of the Legislature of the State of New York, that an application be made to the President of the United States to fix on a plan for the permanent defence of the port of New York; and approving of the conduct of the Senators and Representatives of that State, in Congress, in advocating and enforcing the claims of the State in this respect; and the resolutions were read. The PRESIDENT communicated certain resolu A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have appointed the Reverend Mr. BROWN, a Chaplain to Congress on their part, during the present session. TUESDAY, November 3. ANDREW MOORE, from the State of Virginia, attended, The PRESIDENT communicated a letter, signed William Eaton, enclosing the translation of a petition of Hamet Bashaw Caramalli, stating his services and sufferings in behalf of the United States, in which, relying on promises of remuneration, he hath exposed his life, and sacrificed WEDNESDAY, November 4. The Senate resumed the motion made on the 25th October, "That a committee be appointed 'to take into consideration the expediency of au'thorizing the State of Tennessee to reduce the price of certain lands which were ceded to the said State by the United States, by an act enti'tled 'An act authorizing the State of Tennessee to issue grants and perfect titles to certain lands therein described, and to settle the claims to vacant and unappropriated lands within the 'same," to such price as the Legislature of the said State may, in their judgment, deem expe'dient; and that the committee have leave to ' report by bill or otherwise ;" and the motion was agreed to; and Ordered, That Messrs. ANDERSON, Bradley, and ADAMS, be the committee. The Senate resumed the motion made on the 30th October, that the following rule be added to the rules for conducting business in the Senate: "At the commencement of every session a committee of three members shall be appointed, whose duty it shall be to audit and control the contingent expenses of the Senate." And the motion was agreed to; and ordered that Messrs. ADAMS, ANDERSON, and GAILLARD be the committee. On motion, it was Ordered, That Messrs. GREGG, THRUSTON, and JONES. be a committee for the examination of engrossed bills, agreeably to the twenty-second rule for conducting business in the Senate. The following motion was submitted by Mr. BRADLEY, for consideration: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what further and more effectual provisions are necessary in addition to the act, entitled An act for the more effectual preservation of peace in the ports and harbors of the United States, and in the waters under their jurisdiction;" with leave to report by bill or otherwise. THURSDAY, November 5. SENATE. the several States, which, when ratified and confirmed by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the said States, shall be valid and binding, as a part of the Constitution of the United States, in lieu of the first section of third article thereof: years, "The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may, from time to time, ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices for shall be removed by the President on the address of two-thirds of both Houses of Congress requesting the same, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.” On motion, it was Resolved, That Mr. ROBINSON be of the committee for enrolled bills, jointly with such committee as may be appointed for that purpose on the part of the House of Representatives. Mr. MITCHILL submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and what, alterations are necessary to be made in the laws respecting insurrections and violations of the public peace and authority, as well as the laws respecting the conspiracy or enterprise of private indited States; with leave to report by bill or otherwise. viduals against foreign nations in amity with the Uni FRIDAY, November 6. The Senate assembled; and adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. SATURDAY, November 7. The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the act, entitled "An act to establish the Treasury Department;" and the report was read, and ordered to lie for consideration; and that the usual number be printed for the use of the Senate. The PRESIDENT communicated a letter from the Governor of the Indiana Territory, together with certain resolutions of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said Territory, on the expediency of suspending the sixth article of compact contained in the ordinance for the The Senate resumed the motion made on the government of the Northwest Territory, passed 30th October, "That a committee be appointed to the 13th day of July, 1787, which respects the inquire into the expediency of extinguishing the admission of slaves; for reasons mentioned in the claims of the United States to certain balances said resolutions; also, a remonstrance of sundry reported to be due from several of the States to citizens of Clark county, in Springville, in the the United States by the Commissioners appoint- said Territory, against the said resolutions; and ed to settle the accounts of the individual States stating the expediency of suspending any proceed' with the United States; and that the said com-ings on the subject, until the period arrives when 'mittee have leave to report by bill or otherwise;" and the motion was adopted; and Ordered, That Messrs, WHITE, FRANKLIN, and consideration: 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 section be submitted to the Legislatures of the said Territory may be admitted into the Union; and the communications were read. Ordered, That they be referred to Messrs. FRANKLIN, KITCHEL, and TIFFIN, to consider and report thereon MONDAY, November 9. Mr. POPE, appointed a Senator by the State of Kentucky, produced his credentials, which were read and ordered to lie on file. SENATE. The motion made on the 4th instant, "That a sentatives of the Indiana Territory, on the pro'committee be appointed to inquire whether any, priety of suspending the sixth article of compact and, if any, what, further and more effectual contained in the Ordinance for the government of provisions are necessary, in addition to the act, the Northwestern Territory, passed the 13th day 'entitled 'An act for the more effectual preserva- of July, 1787, together with a remonstrance of tion of peace in the ports and harbors of the certain citizens of Clark county against the said United States, and in the waters under their ju- resolutions, made report; which was read, and orrisdiction,' with leave to report by bill, or other-dered to lie for consideration. 'wise," was resumed and adopted; and The report is as follows: Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. ADAMS, The Legislative Council and House of RepresentaSMITH of Maryland, MILLEDGE, MITCHILL, and tives, in their resolutions, express their sense of the ANDERSON, the committee appointed the 30th Oc-propriety of introducing slavery into their Territory, tober, to consider that part of the Message of the President of the United States which respects "the recent outrages committed by British armed vessels," and that Messrs BRADLEY, and SUMTER be added to the said committee. TUESDAY, November 10. A letter was communicated from Dr. GANTT, declining his appointment to be Chaplain. and solicit the Congress of the United States to suspend, for a given number of years, the sixth article of compact, in the Ordinance for the government of the Territory Northwest of the river Ohio, passed the 13th day of July, 1787. That article declares: " there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said Territory." The citizens of Clark county, in their remonstrance, express their sense of the impropriety of the measure, and solicit the Congress of the United States not to On motion, that the Senate proceed to the elec-act on the subject, so as to permit the introduction of tion of a Chaplain in place of Mr. GANTT, de-slaves into the Territory; at least until their population clined, it was agreed to postpone the appointment shall entitle them to form a constitution and State govuntil to-morrow. 6 6 The Senate resumed the motion made on the 5th November, "That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and what, alterations are necessary to be made in the laws respecting 'insurrections and violations of the public peace ' and authority, as well as the laws respecting the conspiracy or enterprise of private individuals against foreign nations in amity with the United States; with leave to report by bill or otherwise." Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed. 6 WEDNESDAY, November 11. The Senate proceeded to the election of a Chaplain, in place of Mr. GANTT, declined, and the Reverend Mr. McCORMICK was chosen. ernment. Your committee, after duly considering the matter, respectfully submit the following resolution: Resolved, That it is not expedient at this time to suspend the sixth article of compact for the government of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio. In the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Indiana Territory. Great solicitude has been evinced by the citizens of this Territory on the subject of the introduction of slaves. In the year 1802 a special convention of delegates from the respective counties petitioned Congress for a suspension of the sixth article of compact, contained in the Ordinance of 1787. In 1805 a majority of the members of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives remonstrated with Congress on the subject. In 1806 the Legislative Council and House A message from the House of Representatives of Representatives passed sundry resolutions, which informed the Senate that the House have passed were laid before Congress, declaratory of their sense of a bill, entitled "An act making further appropria- the propriety of admitting slaves; and, as the citizens tions for the support of the Navy of the United of the Territory decidedly approve of the toleration of States during the year 1807;" in which they re-slavery, the Legislative Council and House of Reprequest the concurrence of the Senate. The bill was read, and ordered to the second reading. sentatives consider it incumbent on them briefly to state, on behalf of themselves and their constituents, the reasons which have influenced them in favor of the measure. In the first place, candor induces us to premise that, THURSDAY, November 12. in regard to the right of holding slaves, a variety of The bill, entitled "An act making further ap. opinion exists; while some consider it decent and just propriations for the support of the Navy of the to acquire them either by purchase or conquest, others United States during the year 1807," was read consider their possession, by either tenure, as a crime of the deepest stain; that it is repugnant to every printhe second time, and referred to Messrs. ANDER-ciple of natural justice, of political rights, and to every SON, GILMAN, and ADAMS, to consider and report sentiment of humanity. Without entering into the merits of this controversy, it need only to be remarked, that the proposition to introduce slavery into the Territory is not embraced by them. It is not a question of liberty or slavery. Slavery now exists in the United States, and in this Territory. It was the crime of England, and their misfortune; and it now becomes a question, merely of policy, in what way the slaves are to be disposed of, that may be least dangerous to the thereon. FRIDAY, November 13. SLAVERY IN INDIANA TERRITORY. Mr. FRANKLIN, from the committee to whom were referred, on the 7th instant, the resolutions of the Legislative Council and House of Repre And the said committee was appointed, of Messrs. Abraham Little, John Owens, Charles Beggs, Robert Robertson, and James Beggs. Mr. Little, from the aforesaid committee, reported a memorial, pursuant to the aforesaid order, in the words and figures following, viz: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the It is believed (and has not experience verified the fact?) that such is the number of slaves in the Southern States, that the safety of individuals, as well as the political institutions of those States, are exposed to no small hazard. However desirable it may be to emancicipate them, it can never be done until they are dispersed; it would be equally impolitic for the whites as for the slaves. The great current of emigration is constantly flowing from the Eastern and Southern States to the Western States and Territories. The increase of population in the western country for the last twenty years may afford some idea of its probable amount in the course of the present century; it must be immense; and were all the Territories opened to the introduction of slaves, a large proportion of them would naturally be drawn from the Southern States. From a reference to the States of Kentucky and Ten-warded to Congress, to repeal the sixth article of comnessee at the time of the last United States' census, it is not believed that the number of slaves would ever become so great as to endanger either the internal peace or future prosperity of the Territory. It is also rendered improbable from the interior situation of the Territory, its climate, and productions. Slavery is tolerated in the Territories of Orleans, Mississippi, and Louisiana: why should this Territory be excepted? It is believed that slaves, possessed in small numbers by farmers, are better fed and better clothed than when they are crowded together in quarters by hundreds: their situation in Kentucky, Tennessee, and the back parts of Maryland and Virginia, verify this belief. The memorial of the citizens of Clark county, humbly showeth, that great anxiety has been, and still is, evinced by some of the citizens of this Territory, on the subject of the introduction of slavery into the same; but in no case has the voice of the citizens been unanimous. In the year 1802, at a special convention of delegates from the respective counties, a petition was for pact contained in the Ordinance; but the representation of all that part of the Territory east of Vincennes were present, and were decidedly opposed to that part of the petition. In the year 1805 the subject was again taken up and discussed in the General Assembly, and a majority of the House of Representatives voted against said memorial on the aforesaid subject, and, consequently, the memorial was rejected, as the Journals of that House doth sufficiently evince; but a number of citizens thought proper to sign the same, and among the rest, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Council, (though the President of the Council denies ever having signed the same;) and, by Resolved, by the Legislative Council and House of some legislative legerdemain, it found its way into the Representatives of the Indiana Territory, That it is Congress of the United States, as the legislative act of expedient to suspend for a given number of years the the Territory. In the present year of 1807, the subsixth article of compact, contained in the Ordinanceject was again taken up by the Legislature of this Terfor the government of the Northwestern Territory, passed the 13th day of July, in the year 1787. Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing be forwarded to the Vice President of the United States, with a request that he will lay the same before the Senate; and that a copy be forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with a request that he will lay the same before the said House of Representatives; and that the Governor of this Territory be requested to forward the same, as aforesaid. JESSE B. THOMAS, Speaker of the House of Representatives. SAMUEL GWATHMEY, President pro tem. of the Legislative Council. Passed the Legislative Council, September 19, 1807. H. HURST, Chief Clerk. Attest: ritory, and a majority of both Houses passed certain resolutions (in the proportion of two to one) for the purpose of suspending the sixth article of compact contained in the Ordinance, which, we presume, are before your honorable body. But let it be understood, that in the Legislative Council there were only three members present, who, for certain reasons, positively refused to sign the said resolutions; and they were reduced to the last subterfuge of prevailing on the President to leave his seat, and one of the other members to take it as President pro tem., for the purpose of signing the said resolutions. Whether this be right or wrong, judge ye. And although it is contended by some, that, at this day, there is a great majority in faothers, the fact is certainly doubtful. But when we vor of slavery, while the opposite opinion is held by take into consideration the vast emigration into this Territory, and of citizens, too, decidedly opposed to the measure, we feel satisfied that, at all events, Congress will suspend any legislative act on this subject until we shall, by the Constitution, be admitted into the Union, and have a right to adopt such a constitution, in this respect, as may comport with the wishes of a majority of the citizens. As to the propriety of holding those in slavery whom it hath pleased the Divine Creator to create free, seems to us to be repugnant to the inestimable principles of a republican Government. Although some of the States have, and do hold slaves, |