The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1800-12-09 00:00:00, page 2

firisfaftion which refold from the attach
ment to our national government, so con
spicuous in the citizens generally, as well
as^he Legislators of this "Rate.
Whatever may appeal necessary with re
fpe& to the revenue, or the revision of par
ticular laws, Shall be carefully attended to.
Your Excellency's Official conduct hi
therto, leaves ns no room todoubt of your
care and prompt 'attention to promote the
peace and prosperity of the State: and we
join with you in the pions wifh,that" the
Supreme Governor of the Uhiverfe may
guide us all in the way of peace and hapi
nefs" —and that under his special care, the
blessings we how enjoy may be continued to
the inhabitants of these United States, and
their posterity, to the latest generations.
4 # <^^igfe ^+►»
ANSWER of THE HOUSE TO THE GOVER
NOR'S SPEECH.X
May it please your Excellency,
THE prosperity, good order, and tran
quility, that so universally pervade this state,
a^e Strong inducements to the House of Re
presentatives, to persevere in the faithful
difeharge of the duties assigned therq. %
In the Constitution, we recognize the su
preme law of the land equally obligatory on
the Legislature and its constituents.; and it
js a pleasing consideration, that our duty and
happiness unite in urging a constant atten
tion to its benevolent principles.
To encourage literature and the arts; to
increase the means of ufeful knowledge ; to,
give due fopport to religion ; and to cherish
the moral & social virtues, are duties taught
alike by reason and our constitution, and are
the surest means to perpetuate the blessings
of a free government.
A retrofpeaive view of the state of our
country previous to the adoption of our fed
eral constitution, when compared with our
present profpetbus circumstances, exhibits a
contrast flattering to every lover of his coun-.
try, and should excite in us the molt anxious
solicitude to transmit the blessings of our gov
ernment inviolate, to pofterhy.
The unparalleled calamities of a war,
which has so long overwhelmed a large por
tion of the European world with devaluation
and bloodshed, ought to produce in every
American bread the most unreserved appro
bation of our government which hat pre
served us against a participation in its hor
rors. :- #
Free governments ought, at all times, to
be guarded with great care and caution a
gainst unnecessary innovation, and more es
pecially so when a rage for novelty in for
eign countries furnifhes examples of change
dangerous to every well regulated govern
ment.
The fate of those nations who have loft
their liberties through foreign influence and
intrigue, affords the strongest motive to vigi
lance against any attempts to involve us in
the destructive consequences of European
wars.
In appointing electors on the part of this
state for choosing a President and Vice-Pre
sident of the United States, we feel the high
responsibility devolved on us, and it diall be
our endeavor to felea such characters to this
important office, as are deserving of public
confidence, and who have given unequivocal
evidence of their invariable attachment to
our General Government.
•• The. Stare of oof revehue, and the laws
regulating our exports, will receive season
able and due attention ; and<we doubt not
;your readiness to attend to all such meaferes
as the Legislature may judge necessary, to
promote public happiness and prosperity.
Congees of tbe Unites States.
•—(<^ty}»fc—
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES?
TUESDAY, NOV. 1.8.
The following Members attended, in addition
to those mentioned yeflerday,
. Messrs. Goodrich, Edmond, Griswold, Cooper, El
mendorf, Imlay, F. Davenport, Wain, S. Smith,
H. Lee, Evans, ~ Trigg; Spaight, Dickjon, and
Talliaferd. - ,
A quorum being aflembled, seven members were
appointed a.Committee of Electors ; seven members
Were also appointed a Committee of Commerce
. find Manufactures.
The usual order respecting newspapers passed.
THURSDAY, NOY. 20.
Mr. Goody, the clerk of the house, being much
indisposed, allied, and Obtained leave of absence
for three weeks.
A committee of Claims, of, Reyifal and unfin
ished buhuefs and of ways and means were ap
pointed.
No additional members of the Senate having
, arrived, the house adjourned till to-morrow.
FRIDAY, NOV. 21.
Mr. Nicholas observed that 'he had submitted,
during th." last session, certain proportions to a
• mend the Constitution, as far as it related to the
choice,' Electors of Preficent and Vice President
and to tty eleftion of members of the House of
Reprefeniatives. ~ ^
But having found that they elaffied with the o
pinion of many members, and not having then
maturely coufideved them himfelf, he thought fr:
bell at that time to have a cooclufive - confidera
, tian of them. Deeming the object of great im
parlance, and cbofidefing the present a fit time to
difeufs it, be offered too amendments, which he*
wished to lie onthe table for consideration. %
The firft amendment dlre&s that after th^ 3dl
^f March !&>,,* Electors shall be chosen in each
state in dillrufts, which dhallte-equal to the num-|
ter of Electors that each date is entitled to, and
that the choice fliail be made in each state by those
citizens who vote tor the most numerous branch
of each date legislature : in such manner as the
legislature of each Hate prescribe.
The second amendment directs that after the
3d day of March 1803, the members of the House
of Representatives shall be chosen in each state by
the citizens entitled to vote for the most numer
ous branch of the date legislature in didrifts e
qual in number to the number of representatives ;i
in such manner as the legislature of each state shall
prefcribe.''
; Mr, Harper was of opinion that the necessary
propositions on this fubfea Would require more
detail than those just movedi He therefore mov
ed their reference to a felett committee.
Referred to Committee of five, and ordered to
be printed for the use of the members.
The Senate informed the House, that a quorum
had afTembled, and had elected John T. Howard,
President, pro tern.
Messrs. Tracy and Wells, of the Senate, and
Griswold, S. Smith, and Craik, of the House,
waited on the President to inform, that Congress
were ready to receive any Communications from
him ; to whom the President- replied, that he
would meet the two houses, in the Senate cham
ber, to-morrow, at 12 o'clock,
Saturday, Nov. 22.
This day at 12 o'clock, His Excellency
the President of the United States met
both Houses of Congress in the Seriate cham
ber at the Capitol, where he delivered the
following,
Speech:
Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentle men of the Houje of Referefentafres,
IMMEDIATELY after the adjourn
ment of Congress at their last session in Phi
ladelphia, I, gave directions, in compliance
with the laws, for the removal of the public
offices, records and property. These direc
tions have been executed, and the public of
ficers have since resided and conducted the
ordinary bufiriefs of the Government in this
place. .'
I congratulate the people of the United
Slates on the. assemblage of Congress at the
permanent feat of their Government ; and
I congratulate you, gentlemen, on the prof
ped of a residence not to be changed :— al
though there is cause to apprehend that ac
commodations are not now so complete as
might be wished, yet there is great reason to
believe that this inconvenience will cease
with the present feflion.
It would be unbecoming the Representa
tives of this Nation to assemble for the -firft
time, in this solemn temple, without look
ing up to the Supreme Ruler of the Uni
verse, and imploring his blefling.
May this Territory be the residence of
Virtue and Happiness ! In this city may
that piety and virtue ; that wisdom and mag
nanimity ; that constancy and felf-govern
ment, which adorned the great character,
whole name it bears, he forever held in ven
eration ! Here, and throughout our country
may fimpie manners, pure morals, and true
religion, flourish forever.
It is with you, gentlemen, to confider
whether the local powers, over the Diftria
of Columbia, vested by the Constitution in
the Congrefsof the United States, shall be
immediately exercised.
If, in your opinion, this important trust
ought now to be executed, you cannot fail,
while performing it to take into view the
future probable Situation of the territory,
for the happin'efs of which you are about to
provide.
You will confider it as the Capitol of a
great nation, advancing with unexampled
rapidity, in Arts, in Commerce, in Wealth,
and in Population : and possessing within it
felf, those energies and resources, which, if
not thrown away, or lamentably mifdire&-
ed, will secure to it a long Gourfe of prosper
ity and felf-governmentfr
In compliance with a law of the 12ft fef
'don of Congress, the Officers and Soldiers
of the Temporary Army have been dis
charged. It affords real pleasure to recoiled
the honorable testimony they gave of the pa
triotic motives, which brought them into
the service of th^ir Country by the readiness
and regularity with which, they returned to
the (fatiou of private citizens.
It is in, every point of view, of such pri
mary importance to carry the laws into
prompt arid faithful execution, and to ren
der that part of the adminiftraAfon of justice
which die Conftitrition and Laws devolve
on the Federal Courts, as convenient to the
people, as may consist with their present cir
cumstances, that 1 cannot omit opce more,
<0 reccommbnd to your serious consideration
the Judiciary Svftem of the United States.
No fubjeft is more interesting than this to
he public happiness, and to none can those
improv^men,s which may have been fug
getted by e^erience, be more beneficially
applied. ~
A Treaty of Amity and Commerce with
tie' King of Piuffil has been concluded and
ra ified. The ratifications have been ex
changed, and I have directed the Treaty to
be p omulgated by Proclamation.
The difficulties which suspended the exe
cution of the 6th article of our Treaty of
Amity Commence and Navigation, with
•'Great Britain, have not yet been removed.
The negociation on this fubjc& is still de-|
pending. As it must b^for the inlerefl and|
Ihonor of both nations, tb adjust this differ- 1
ence with good faith, ! indulge confidently
the. expectation that the sincere endeavours
of the Government of the United States, to
bring it to an amicable termination, will not
be disappointed.
the Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers
Plenipotentiary, from the United States to
France, were received by the First Consul
with the refpeft due to their character ; and
three persons, with equal powers, were ap
pointed to treat with them. Although at
the date.of the last official, intelligence the
negociation had not terminated, yet it is to
be hoped, that our efforts to effect an ac
commodation will at length meet with a
success proportioned to the sincerity with
which they have been so often repeated.
While our belt endeavours for the prefer-,
vation of harmony with all nations will con
tinue to be used, the experience of th§ world
and bur own experience, 'admonith us of the
insecurity of trusting too confidently to their
success. VVe cannot, without committing
a dangerous impudence, abandon those
Measures of Self-proteaion, which are a
eapted to our situation, and to which, nob
withftanding our pacific policy, the violence
and injustice of others, may compel us to re
sort. While our vast extent of sea coast, the
commercial and agricultural habits of our
people, the great capital they will continue
to trust on the ocean, suggest the system of
defence which will be most beneficial to our
felvs, our distance from Europe, and our re
sources for Maratime Strength, will enable"
us to employ it with effe&. Seasonable and
systematic arrangements, so far asour resour
ces willjuftify, for a Navy, adapted to de
fefive war. and which may in case of neccf
fity be quickly brought into use, seem to be
as much recommended by a wife and true
economy, as by a just regard for our future
tranquility, for the fafety of our shores,
and for the proteaion of our property com
mitted to™the ocean."
The present Navy of the U. States, call
ed suddenly into exigence by a great nation
al exigency, has raised us in our own esteem,
:, by the prote&ion afforded to our com
merce, has effeaed, to the extent of our ex
peaations, the objea for which it was cre
ated.
In conne&ion with a Navy ought to de
contemplated the Fortification of feme of
our principal Sea-ports aqd Harbours. A
variety of considerations, which will readily
suggest them selves, urge an attention to this
measure of precaution. To give security
to our principal ports, considerable funis
have already been expended, but the works
remain incomplete. It is for Congress to
determine whether additional appropriations
shall be made, in order to render competent
to the inintended pnrpofes, the Fortificatidr.s
which have been commenced.
The Manufactures of Arms within the
United States, dill invites the attention of
the National Legislature. At a considera
ble expense to the public, this manufaaory
has been brought to such a state of ma
turity, as, with continued encouragement,
will fupercede the necessity of future import
tations from foreign countries.
Gentlemen */the House of Representatives,
I shall direct the estimates of the Appro
priations necessary for the enfuirig year, to
gether with an 1 account of the Public ' Re
venue and Expenditure, to a like period, to
be laid before you.
I observe with much fatisfaaion that the
produd of the Revenue during the present
year, # has been more considerable than dur
ing any former equal period. The fefult
afrords conclude evidence of the great re
sources of this country, and the wisdom and
efficiency of the measures, which have been
adopted by Congress for the proteaion Os
commerce and preservation of publit'credit &
Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of ReprefentatiT; & . ..
As one of the grahd community of na
tions, our.attemion is irrefutably drawn to
the important scents which surround us.
If they have exhibited an uncommon por<
lion of calamity, it is the province of Hu
manity to deplore, and Wisdom to avoid,
the causes which ma) Miive produced it. If
turning our eyes homeward, we find reason
to rejoice at the profpea which presents it-,
felf ;jf we perceive the interior of Country
prosperous, free and happy : Itwe enjoy in
fafety, under the prote&ion of laws, eman
ating only from the general will, the fruits
of our own labour, we ought to fortify and
cling so those inftifutions, which have-been
the source of much real felicity, and refill
with unabating perseverance the progress
'of those dangerous innovations, which maj
diminish their influence.
To your patriotism, gentlemen, has been
confided the honorable duty of guarding
the public interest, and while the past is to
your country a sure pledge that it will be
faithfully difeharged, permit me to assure
I you that your labors to promote the general
happiness will receive from me the most
zealous co-operation.
! JOHN ADAMS.
United States, )'
IN^^cr 22, 1800. j'
1 The house after attending the delivery of ib e ^
I Pretitientb Speech in the Sepal, chamber, return."
ed to their own chamber, u hen the Speech wax
again read, and referred to a committee of the
whole house, Mr. Harper in the chair.
The committee, having taken the speech into
consideration, made a report that a refpettful ao
fwer should be presented to th President, with
the alfurance that an attention would be paid by
the house to the feverat important matters fob
mitted to them. The house agreed to the report,
and Messrs. Griswold, Nicholas, Macon, Craik,
and Henderson, were appointed a committee to
prepare the addreE.
IN SENATE, Nor. 92.
Messrs. Tracy, Morris, and Baldwin, were ap.
pointed a committee to prepare an answer to the
President's Speech.
MONDAY, NOV. 24.
The following letter was this day read in the
,House, and ordered to lie on the table :—
Treasury Department
Wafkington, Nov. 22d, i^ebe
SIR,-
I deem it proper through you to inform the
House of Reprefentatiyes, that 1 have obtained the
permission of the President of the United States,•
1 9 resign the office of Secretary of the Treasury,
at the elofe of the present year. ',
I indulge a hope, that I may without prefomp
tion declare, that the diff rent offices with which
I have been entrufled since the establishment of
this Department, have been executed according
to my 6tft fltill and judgment, with -a confcien--
tious regard to the rights of the public and of in
dividuals, and under an impreffve feufe of re
fpoufibility to the government—ln conformity
with these profeffions, I now freely submit tlfe
whole of my conduct to any investigation which
the House of Representatives may be pleased to
institute.
1 cannot omit this only opportunity which may
ever be afforded, of expressing the sincere senti
ments of gratitude, which I now feel & shall ever
cultivate for the many proofs of, confidence and
indulgence which I have experienced in the conrfe
of my official communications with the Legisla
ture ; —at the fame time 1 request, that if the liber
ty 1 have now taken, to invite their attention to
a matter of personal concern, ffiouid be deemed in
any degree unsuitable, theerror may be attributed
to a just and reasonable desire, that my coudua
may, on proper evidence, appear to haredeferved
their approbation.
I have tire honor so be,
With perfect efleeru and deference,
Sir, your molt obedient servant,
(Signed) OLIVER WOLCOTT,
The Hon.THF.DORE Sedcwicr, Esq.
Speaker of the HouJe of Reprefentattoes.
TUESDA Y, NOP. 25.
Mr. Griswold reporte^an answer to the
President's Speech, which was ordered to
be printed.
On motion of Mr. Otis, the letter of the
Secretary of the Treasury was committed
to a committee of seven.
WEDNESDAY, NOY. 26.
The answer to the President's Speech was
debated, and accepted with amendments.
Ayes 36, Noes 32. —The President will re
ceive the answer to-morrow at his hpufe.
ANSWER OF THE SENATE,
TQ
JOHN ADAMS, ^
President of the United States.
SIR, ~...
Impressed with the important truth, that
the hearts of rulers and people are in the
hand of the Almighty, the Senate of the U
nited States most cordially join in your in
•vocations for appropriate blessings upon the
Governors and People of this union.
We meet you, fir, and the other branch
of the National Legislature, in the city
/which is honored by the name of our late,
hero and sage, the illustrious Washington,
with sensations and emotion,, which exceed
our power of description.
While we ,congratulate ourfelvps on the
convention of the Legislature at the perma
nent felt of government, and atdenlly hope
that permanence and stability may be com
municated as well to the government it felf
as to its feat ; our minds ate irrefiQably led
to deplore the death of him who bore so
honorable and efficient a part in the estab
lishment of both. Great indeed would have
been our.gratification, if his sum of earth
ly happipefs had been completed, by fee
ing the government thus peaceably con
vened at this place :—But We derive con
solation from a belief that the moment in
which we were destined to experience thej
loss we deplore, was fixed by that Being
whose counsels cannot err ; and from a hope
that since in this feat of government which
bears his name, his earthly remains will be
deposited, the members of congress, and all
who inhabit the city, with these memorials
before ihem,-wj[l retain his virtues in lively
recolleaion, arid make his patriotism, mor-'
als and piety, models for imitation. And
permit us to add, fir, that it is not among
the least of our consolation, that you,^ who
have been his companion and friend; from
the dawning of our national etiftence, and
trained in the fame fchobl of exertion to ef
fe&*our independence, are still preferved,+, .
agracious providence, in health and activity
to exercise the fundicas of Chief Magis
trate.
Ttie question whether the local powers
over the difiria of Columbia, veiled by the
constitution in the Congress of the United
States, shall be immediately exercised, is of
great important •, and in deliberating upon
&we Shall naturally be fed to weigh the