The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-07

eleven extra sessions OF Congress.
President Washington, although he con-
vened the Senate in special session, did not
find the presence OF Congress necessary,
but President Adams, on March %, 1907,
in consequence Of the threatened trouble
with France, did call Congress together by
a proclamation which has been followed as
the model whenever it has since been nee
essary to convene Congress in special ses-
sion. That proclamation was rs follows
by THE PRESIDENT.
A Proclamation:
Whereas, The Constitution OF America
provides that the President may, on ex-
traordinary occasions, convene both
Houses OF Congress; and whereas, An ex-
traordinary occasion exists for converting
Congress, and divers weighty matters
claim their consideration, have, there
fore, thought IL necessary to convene, and
/ do by these presents convene, the Con.
gress OF the United States of America at
the city of Philadelphia, in the Common
wealth Of Pennsylvania, on Monday, the
18th day of Maynext, hereby requiring
the Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress OF the United States OF America, and
every one OF them, that, laying aside
all other matters and cares, they then and
there meet and assemble in Congress in
order to consult and determine on such
measures as, in their wisdom, shall be
deemed meet for the safety and welfare OF
the United States.
In testimony whereof, &c.
By he.Presdent. JOHN ADAMS.
TIMOTHY PIcRERISG, Secretary OF State.
The Directory had then possession OF
the French Government. Three military
Directors had been appointed. The first
advance had been made toward a military
despotism. Carnot and other leaders vi
the Royaist councils had been transport
ed, aud among other acts OF the Directory
had been the expulsion from France OF
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Minister of
the United States. President Adams, in n
very spirited message and in equally spir.
tied correspondence, resented this act, and
il was deemed expedient 10 convene Con-
gress in extra session in order that the
United States might be prepared TO main
tain its rights. There was long diplo.
matte correspondence upon the subject,
after which the war cloud disappeared.
Congress was convened for the second
time in October, 1902, upon the proclama.
ton of President Jefferson. The special
purpose Of this session was TO authorize
the purchase by the United States Of Lou
isiana, which had been coded by Spain TO
France. This purchase was consummated
by the United States on the 30lh OF April,
1893. for sl5,O0O,0O0, Immediately after
which provision was made for the Terri
~ Mtaafrafs...t unI nrl.unu
President Jefferson found II necessary
TO convene Congress in extra session i've
years later. His proclamation was issued
ON July 30, 1897, aud Congress met Octo-
Der 20 OF that year The immediate cause
was the aggressions OF Great Britain aud
the capture OF the United States war vessel
Chesapeake in Hampton Roads on June
-. This seizure was one Of the results OF
the dispute with England arising from the
capture and condemnation OF several
American vessels about 10 enter blockadcd
ports, and from the assumption BY l. i
gland Of the right Of search. The British
Government ol the ADM atty Courts re-
vived the maxim Of 1856. which assumed
that neutrals, In limo OF war, could carry
on no trade which they had not been &c.
cuslomed 10 carry ON In tins OF peace.
THIS neutral trade was, therefore, consid-
cred as destructive 10 England's property,
and ~ war in disguise. England adopted at
the time tcmporzing policy, and the war,
which then seemed inevitable, was post
poned. In the debates at this session OF
Congress the tail Of the British lion was
twisted as il had seldom been before.
The controversy with Great Britain was
not, however, 10 be ended without n war,
and President Madison. in July, 1871,
found IL necessary 10 convene Congress In
advance Of the usual time. The Twelfth
Congress was convened in special session
ON November 1, 1911, Henry Clay. Of Ken.
lucky, being Speaker War with Great
Britain was then deemed inevitable, aud
resident Madison sought 20 have supplies
voted In order that the vacancies ia the
army could be filed aud authority secured
to recruit additional men. lie was author.
lied TO call for 5000 volunteers, and an
embargo for sixty days was declared on
April 4, 1912, and war was declared
against England on June is.
The continuance OF the war male II
necessary for President Madison to con-
vcne Congress In special session again on
! September ~, 1874, In order that place
might bc provided ioT the Government
Offices, the British in their invasion hav.
ing burned the Capitol and the Federal
offices. During thia year the war ended.
Many years elapsed before another called
session was deemed necessary. The al.
minislralions Of Monroe, John Quincy
| Adams and jackson passed without any
| deviation from the regular course Of Con-
grcss. hut when the panic OF 1887 came
| President Van Buren, convened Congres.
In extra session on tho eth OF September
in order 10 consider what measures could
bc devised for relief. This was the iirsI
session Of the Twcniy-hilh Congress James
| X. Polk, Of Tennessee, Speaker. The sea
I sion lasted from September 20 October
| 10, aud was wholly devoted 10 tho consil'
Grafton OF the financial crisis. ono OF the
chief topics was the Sub-l'rcGsury system
/ Tho banks suspended specie payments
there was universal panic and distress, and
the specie circular was rcsclnded by Con
grcsu.
President Harrison found u necessary,
ON account III financial questions, TO con
ycne the Twenty-scyonth Congress IN
special session on May ~, 1871. THIS he
| did by proclamation OF March I, 1871, lie
did not live TO sec the mceungot Congress
/ which he had ordered 10 assemble biz
death occurring on April 4.
There was not another called session
until 1885, when the frst session OF the
Thirty.iourth Congress having adjourned
without making provision for the army
President Pierce convened Congress "
special session TOT August 81, 1856 The
session lasted less than two weeks, aud W,
approximation was made. Nathaniel T.
| tanks. of Massachusetts,, who comes bach
to the Fiiiy.hnt Congress, was thc speakcl
nj this call,Sl session OF the Thlrty.fourtl
COngrss There are few mon IN pupl',