SENATE.] Address of the Vice President. [MAY, 1813. has the pleasing prospect of reposing on your liberali- | the hope of divisions or conquest? Does the enemy ty and candor. But if, in this high and influential expect, by burning defenceless towns and villages, to branch of the Government, such unanimity should promote his views? Such conduct may entail on prevail, as to decide for themselves every question of the nation which sanctions it eternal infamy, but can policy, the example will still increase their lustre, never subdue the elevated souls of our brave fellowand add to his happiness. citizens, or even depress the sublime minds of our innocent fair, the ornaments of our country, who, amidst the unmerited distresses inflicted on them and their tender offspring by a merciless foe, will soar above sympathy, and claim the just tribute of universal admiration and applause. It is a subject of cordial congratulation, that the liberties of the people, in so great a degree, rest on that wisdom and fortitude which mark the characters of the exalted personage who fills the Supreme Executive, of the dignified members who constitute the National Legislature, and of the eminent officers who direct the Ministerial departments-public virtues, emulated by few Governments, need no encomiums. Fidelity and integrity, unsubdued by the severest ordeals, and presaging to public calamities a favorable issue, will be ever held in high estimation; whilst a Government, scrupulously faithful to its trust, and measures which merit the highest applause, have a just claim to the public support. The present epoch is momentous, and leads to observations which would not occur on ordinary occasions. Whilst the Executive in the full exercise of its authority, is left to test the sincerity of pacific overtures, it is a happy circumstance that the United States, at all times desirous of an honorable peace, and superintended by an officer whose capacious mind embraces, and whose patriotic fortitude will pursue, every interest of his country, thus meet with ardor an indispensable war. Is not their power a pledge that they can, and their sacred honor that they will, with intrepidity, maintain the conflict? They demand justice; and can they relinquish it without a surrender of their sovereignty? Our country is again involved in a sanguinary con- Great Britain is in collision with her best customflict, the issue of which, in the estimation of the ene- ers, and once her commercial friends, who had my, is to determine whether the republican system, viewed peace as a mutual blessing; and who, by their adopted by the people, is imbecile and transient, or moderation, had preserved it, until necessity has whether it has force and duration worthy of the en- pointed to a different line of conduct. They had terprise. That it can never fail whilst they are true annually sent to her their productions and specie to a to their interest, is beyond doubt. And is it not vast amount; had thus employed her mechanics, purequally so, that they will never desert the Govern- chased her manufactures, extended her commerce, ment of their choice, or attach themselves to a for- and become a great source of her national wealth. eign domination, from which, under the benign smiles Hence, her zealous and persevering opposition to of Divine Providence, they have lately, by their own their commercial restraints, representing, in high valor, emancipated themselves? Can they need ar- strains, their great injury to this country; but preguments to convince them, that, in proportion to the serving silence on a most important point, their purity of Republican Governments, have ever been destructive effects on her own manufactures and the reproaches and efforts for overthrowing them, by commerce. imperious Sovereigns who once ruled them? error. To divide and to conquer" have long been the objects of the enemy. He has presumed on his own arts, and on impotency in our system of Government; but, in both instances, he will be convinced of his The people and constituted authorities of the several States, those great pillars of our confederate system, numerous as they are, and inevitably discordant in some of their interests, have evinced, in various ways, a firm determination to support it. The interior frontier States, where the territorial war commenced and continues, assailed by innumerable difficulties, have surmounted them; and, by their unanimity and Spartan valor, are establishing for themselves immortal honor. Through the extensive wilds of our military operations, some of these, as in all wars, have been successful, and others unfortunate. But to whatever causes the latter may be traced, they never can be imputed to those heroic officers or privates of the army or of the militia, who have bravely combated the enemy; and of whom, some have been crowned with laurels, others have submitted to irresistible misfortunes, and many have nobly fallen, enshrined with glory. The Atlantic States have repelled, with magnanimity, maritime invasions; and have also given proofs of their patriotic ardor, by conquests on the ocean. Their enterprises and victories have been sources of national triumph and renown. Are not our officers and mariners, in naval combats, unrivalled by fame? Have they not presented infallible sureties for signalizing themselves on great occasions? How vain then is The United States are now her enemy; and is it not easy to foresee, that, if the war should continue, the Canadas will be rendered independent of her; and, as friends or allies to the United States, will no longer be instrumental in exciting an unrelenting and savage warfare against our extensive and defenceless borders? To such inhuman acts, in former times, were the Canadians urged by France in her Albion wars; and by our colonial aid Great Britain obtained jurisdiction over them. She in turn has abused this power, and has justified the United States in their efforts to divest her of it. And is not their energy adequate to the object? Will not this be evident by a view of their effective National and State Governments? of the unconquered minds and formidable numbers of their citizens? of their martial spirit? of their innate attachment to their rights and liberties? and of their inflexible determination to preserve them? But, if any one still doubts, will he not recollect, that, at the commencement of our Revolutionary war, which terminated against, her, the united colonies had not a third of their present population; nor arms or military stores for a single campaign; nor an efficient arrangement for warfare; nor specie in their treasuries; nor funds for emitting a paper currency; nor a national Government; nor (excepting two instances) State Governments; nor the knowledge either of military or of naval tactics? Will he not also remember that Great Britain was then in the zenith of her power; that neighboring nations trembled at her nod; that the colonies were under her control; that her crown officers opposed MAY, 1813.] President's Message. [SENATE. Resolved, That two Chaplains, of different denominations, be appointed to Congress during the present session, one by each House, who shall interchange weekly. every means for resisting her; excited amongst the | Doorkeeper of the Senate; which expense shall colonial Governments (over which they presided) un- be paid out of the contingent fund. unfounded jealousies of each other, and embarrassed Mr. ANDERSON submitted the following every measure for their union; that she was loaded motion: with less than a fifth of her present national debt; that she was then at peace with all the world; and that she is now at war with a greater part of Europe, as well as with the United States? If Great Britain herself reflects on these things, will she not relinquish her vain attempts to awe the citizens of the United States, by exaggerated statements of her military and naval power, or by delusive views of their unprepared state for a war, of the great ex-ed HENRY CLAY, Esquire, one of the Represenpense of it, and of the difficulties they are to encounter in defence of all that is valuable to man? If, in lieu of fruitless artifices, she will make rational and equitable arrangements, which the Government of the United States have been always ready to meet, can there be a doubt that the two nations will be speedily restored to their wonted friendship and com merce? A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that a quorum of the House of Representatives is assembled, and have elect tatives for the State of Kentucky, their Speaker, and are ready to proceed to business. They concur in the resolution of the Senate for the appointment of a joint committee to wait on the President of the United States and notify him that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled and ready to receive any communications that he may be pleased to make to them; and have appointed a committee on their part. TUESDAY, May 25. Your fellow-citizen, with sensations which can more easily be conceived than expressed, perceives that there are in the Government many of his former friends and compatriots, with whom he has often co-operated in the perilous concerns of his country; and, with un- Mr. ANDERSON reported, from the joint comfeigned pleasure, he will meet the other public func-mittee, that they had waited on the President tionaries, whose acknowledged abilities and public of the United States, and that the President inservices in like manner claim his high consideration formed the committee that he would make a and respect. With a sacred regard to the rights of communication to the two Houses this day at every Department and officer of Government, and twelve o'clock. with a respectful deference to their political principles and opinions, he has frankly declared his own; for, to have concealed them at a crisis like this, might have savored too much of a deficiency of candor. On motion by Mr. ANDERSON, the Secretary was directed to notify the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is assembled and ready to proceed to business. President's Message. The following Message was received from the and of the House of Representatives: A committee was appointed on the part of delays, incident to the distance of the parties, by a definitive provision for the contemplated negotiation. the Senate, jointly with such committee as may Three of our eminent citizens were accordingly combe appointed on the part of the House of Rep-missioned, with the requisite powers to conclude a resentatives, to wait on the President of the Treaty of Peace with persons clothed with like powUnited States, and notify him that a quorum of ers on the part of Great Britain. They are authorthe two Houses is assembled and ready to re-ized also to enter into such conventional regulations ceive any communications he may be pleased to make to them. Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives accordingly. The PRESIDENT communicated a letter from JAMES LLOYD, notifying the resignation of his seat in the Senate. On motion of Mr. LEIB, Resolved, That Mountjoy Bayly, Doorkeeper and Sergeant-at-Arms to the Senate, be, and he is hereby, authorized to employ one assistant and two horses, for the purpose of performing such services as are usually required by the of the commerce between the two countries, as may be mutually advantageous. The two Envoys who were in the United States at the time of their appointment, have proceeded to join their colleague already at St. Petersburg. The Envoys have received another commission, authorizing them to conclude with Russia a Treaty of Commerce, with a view to strengthen the amicable relations and improve the beneficial intercourse between the two countries. The issue of this friendly interposition of the Russian Emperor, and this pacific manifestation on the part of the United States, time only can decide. That the sentiments of Great Britain towards that Sover SENATE.] President's Message. eign will have produced an acceptance of his offered mediation must be presumed. That no adequate motives exist to prefer a continuance of war with the United States, to the terms on which they are willing to close it, is certain. The British Cabinet also must be sensible that, with respect to the important question of impressment, on which the war so essentially turns, a search for, or seizure of, British persons or property on board neutral vessels on the high seas is not a belligerent right derived from the law of nations; and it is obvious that no visit or search, or use of force for any purpose, on board the vessels of one independent power, on the high seas, can, in war or peace, be sanctioned by the laws or authority of another power. It is equally obvious, that, for the purpose of preserving to each State its seafaring members, by excluding them from the vessels of the other, the mode heretofore proposed by the United States, and now enacted by them as an article of municipal policy, cannot for a moment be compared with the mode practised by Great Britain with a conviction of its title to preference; inasmuch as the latter leaves the discrimination between the mariners of the two nations to officers exposed by unavoidable bias, as well as by a defect of evidence, to a wrong decision; under circumstances precluding, for the most part, the enforcement of controlling penalties, and where a wrong decision, besides the irreparable violation of the sacred rights of persons, might frustrate the plans and profits of entire voyages: whereas, the mode assumed by the United States, guards, with studied fairness and efficacy, against errors in such cases, and avoids the effect of casual errors on the safety of navigation, and the success of mercantile expeditions. If the reasonableness of expectations, drawn from these considerations, could guaranty their fulfilment, a just peace would not be distant. But, it becomes the wisdom of the National Legislature to keep in mind the true policy, or rather the indispensable obligation, of adapting its measures to the supposition, that the only course to that happy event, is in the vigorous employment of the resources of war. And, painful as the reflection is, this duty is particularly enforced by the spirit and manner in which the war continues to be waged by the enemy, who, uninfluenced by the unvaried examples of humanity set them, are adding to the savage fury of it, on one frontier, a system of plunder, and conflagration on the other, equally forbidden by respect for national character, and by the established rules of civilized warfare. As an encouragement to persevering and invigorated exertions to bring the contest to a happy result, I have the satisfaction of being able to appeal to the auspicious progress of our arms, both by land and on the water. In continuation of the brilliant achievements of our infant Navy, a signal triumph has been gained by Captain Lawrence and his companions in the Hornet sloop of war, which destroyed a British sloop of war, with a celerity so unexampled, and with a slaughter of the enemy so disproportionate to the loss in the Hornet, as to claim for the conquerors the highest praise, and the full recompense provided by Congress in preceding cases. Our public ships of war in general, as well as the private armed vessels, have continued also their activity and success against the commerce of the enemy, and, by their vigilance and address, have greatly frustrated the efforts of the hostile squadrons distributed along our coasts, to [MAY, 1813. intercept them in returning into port, and resuming their cruises. The augmentation of our Naval force, as authorized at the last session of Congress, is in progress. On the Lakes our superiority is near at hand, where it is not already established. The events of the campaign, so far as they are known to us, furnish matter of congratulation, and show that, under a wise organization and efficient direction, the Army is destined to a glory not less brilliant than that which already encircles the Navy. The attack and capture of York is, in that quarter, a presage of future and greater victories; while, on the western frontier, the issue of the late siege of Fort Meigs leaves us nothing to regret but a single act of inconsiderate valor. The provisions last made for filling the ranks, and enlarging the staff of the Army, have had the best effects. It will be for the consideration of Congress, whether other provisions, depending on their authority, may not still further improve the Military Establishment and the means of defence. The sudden death of the distinguished citizen who represented the United States in France, without any special arrangements by him for such a contingency, has left us without the expected sequel to his last communications: nor has the French Government taken any measures for bringing the depending negotiations to a conclusion, through its representative in the United States. This failure adds to delays before so unreasonably spun out. A successor to our deceased Minister has been appointed, and is ready to proceed on his mission: the course which he will pursue in fulfilling it, is that prescribed by a steady regard to the true interests of the United States, which equally avoids an abandonment of their just demands, and a connection of their fortunes with the systems of other powers. The receipts in the Treasury, from the 1st of October to the 31st day of March last, including the sums received on account of Treasury notes, and of the loans authorized by the acts of the last and preceding sessions of Congress, have amounted to fifteen millions four hundred and twelve thousand dollars. The expenditures during the same period amounted to fifteen millions nine hundred and twenty thousand dollars, and left in the Treasury, on the 1st of April, the sum of one million eight hundred and fifty-seven thousand dollars. The loan of sixteen millions of dollars, authorized by the act of the 8th of February last, has been contracted for. Of that sum more than a million of dollars had been paid into the Treasury, prior to the 1st of April, and formed a part of the receipts as above stated. The remainder of that loan, amounting to near fifteen millions of dollars, with the sum of five millions of dollars authorized to be issued in Treasury notes, and the estimated receipts from the customs and the sales of public lands, amounting to nine millions three hundred thousand dollars, and making in the whole twenty-nine millions three hundred thousand dollars to be received during the last nine months of the present year, will be necessary to meet the expenditures already authorized, and the engagements contracted in relation to the public debt. These engagements amount during that period to ten millions five hundred thousand dollars, which, with near one million for the civil, miscellaneous, and diplomatic expenses, both foreign Joel Barlow, Esq. JUNE, 1813.] Proceedings. [SENATE. tion of transmitting entire, to future generations, that precious patrimony of national rights and independence which is held in trust by the present, from the goodness of Divine Providence. and domestic, and seventeen millions eight hundred | worthy the protection of their country, by their heroic thousand dollars for the military and naval expendi-zeal in its defence; and, finally, to the sacred obligatures, including the ships of war building and to be built, will leave a sum in the Treasury at the end of the present year equal to that on the first of April last. A part of this sum may be considered as a resource for defraying any extraordinary expenses already authorized by law, beyond the sums above estimated; and a further resource for any emergency may be found in the sum of one million of dollars, the loan of which to the United States has been authorized by the State of Pennsylvania, but which has not yet been brought into effect. This view of our finances, whilst it shows that due provision has been made for the expenses of the current year, shows, at the same time, by the limited amount of the actual revenue, and the dependence on loans, the necessity of providing more adequately for the future supplies of the Treasury. This can be best done by a well-digested system of internal revenue, in aid of existing sources; which will have the effect, both of abridging the amount of necessary loans, and on that account, as well as by placing the public credit on a more satisfactory basis, of improving the terms on which loans may be obtained. The loan of sixteen millions was not contracted for at a less interest than about seven and a half per cent., and, although other causes may have had an agency, it cannot be doubted that, with the advantage of a more extended and less precarious revenue, a lower rate of interest might have sufficed. A longer postponement of this advantage could not fail to have a still greater influence on future loans. In recommending to the National Legislature this resort to additional taxes, I feel great satisfaction in the assurance, that our constituents, who have already displayed so much zeal and firmness in the cause of their country, will cheerfully give any other proof of their patriotism which it calls for. Happily, no people, with local and transitory exceptions, never to be wholly avoided, are more able than the people of the United States to spare for the public wants a portion of their private means, whether regard be had to the ordinary profits of industry, or the ordinary price of subsistence in our country, compared with those in any other. And in no case could stronger reasons be felt for yielding the requisite contributions. By rendering the public resources certain, and cornmensurate to the public exigencies, the constituted authorities will be able to prosecute the war the more rapidly to its proper issue; every hostile hope, founded on a calculated failure of our resources, will be cut off; and by adding to the evidence of bravery and skill, in combats on the ocean and the land, an alacrity in supplying the treasure necessary to give them their fullest effect, and demonstrating to the world the public energy which our political institutions combine, with the personal liberty distinguishing them, the best security will be provided against future enterprises on the rights or the peace of the nation. The contest in which the United States are engaged, appeals for its support to every motive that can animate an uncorrupted and enlightened people; to the love of country; to the pride of liberty; to an emulation of the glorious founders of their independence, by a successful vindication of its violated attributes; to the gratitude and sympathy which demand security from the most degrading wrongs of a class of citizens, who have proved themselves so Being aware of the inconveniences to which a protracted session, at this season, would be liable, I limit the present communication to objects of primary importance. In special messages which may ensue, regard will be had to the same consideration. JAMES MADISON. WASHINGTON, May 25, 1813. The Message was read, and five hunded copies ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate. THURSDAY, May 27. OBADIAH GERMAN, from the State of New York, and SAMUEL SMITH, from the State of Maryland, severally took their seats in the Senate. ROBERT HENRY GOLDSBOROUGH, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Maryland, for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth day of March last, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the Senate. A Message from the House of Representatatives informed the Senate that the House concur in the resolution of the Senate, of the 25th instant, for the appointment of Chaplains, and have appointed the Reverend JESSE LEE Chaplain on their part. Whereupon, the Senate proceeded to the appointment of a Chaplain on their part; and, on the ballots being counted, it appeared that the Reverend JOHN BRECKENRIDGE had a majority, and was elected. FRIDAY, May 28. RICHARD BRENT, from the State of Virginia, and JOHN CONDICT, from the State of New Jersey, severally took their seats in the Senate. CHRISTOPHER GORE, appointed a Senator by the Executive of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in place of James Lloyd, resigned; and RUFUS KING, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of New York, for the term of six years, commencing with the fourth day of March last, severally produced their credentials, were qualified, and they took their seats in the Senate. FRIDAY, June 4. The credentials of CHRISTOPHER GORE, apCommonwealth of Massachusetts, in place of pointed a Senator by the Legislature of the James Lloyd, resigned, were read. MONDAY, June 7. WILLIAM B. GILES, from the State of Virginia, who arrived the 5th instant, took his seat in the Senate. The PRESIDENT communicated the credentials "That the object of the petition is to obtain, in favor of himself and others, the relinquishment of the claims of the United States to certain descriptions of enemy's property, captured and brought into the ports of the United States by certain private armed vessels. That the claims of the United States [JULY, 1813. Massachusetts Memorial against the War. Mr. GORE presented the remonstrance of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, declaring their opinion on the alleged causes of the existing war, and the pretences for its continuance; that it was improper, impolitic, and unjust; and stating the grounds on which they rest that opinion. Further declaring their opinion on the admission of new States formed from lands beyond the territorial limits of the United States, and that many of the measures of the Government have been contrary to the expectations they formed in acceding to the constitution; that these measures have nearly annihilated their commerce, and have imposed on them unequal burdens, while they have deprived Massachusetts of her proportional weight in the Union; forthwith recalled within our own territories, and praying that our invading armies may be and that every effort may be speedily directed to the attainment of peace; and the remonstrance was read. TUESDAY, June 29. Mr. SMITH, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act to reward the officers and crew of the sloop of war Hornet," reported it with amendments; which, on motion, were considered as in Committee of the Whole, and agreed to; and the President reported the bill to the House accordingly, and it was ordered to be read a third time as amended. THURSDAY, July 1. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the and the petitioner depend upon the provisions of ex- Whole, the bill to relinquish the claims of the isting laws, and present fair questions for judicial United States to certain goods, wares, and mercognizance; these questions are in fact now depending before the proper judicial tribunals, with whose chandise, captured by private armed vessels; proceedings and decisions the committee deems it in- and, the bill having been amended, the Presiexpedient at this time to interfere, and therefore re-dent reported it to the Senate accordingly. commends that the further consideration of the petition be postponed till the first Monday in December next:" And, on the question to agree thereto, it was determined in the negative-yeas 14, nays 17, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Bullock, Campbell, Daggett, German, Gilman, Goldsborough, Gore, Horsey, Hunter, King, Lambert, Leib, Mason, and Wells. NAYS.-Messrs. Anderson, Bledsoe, Brown, Chace, Condict, Fromentin, Gaillard, Giles, Howell, Lacock, Morrow, Robinson, Stone, Tait, Taylor, Turner, and Varnum. On motion, by Mr. TAYLOR, the petition was committed to a select committee, further to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. GILES, TAYLOR, and ANDERSON, were appointed the committee. MONDAY, June 28. GEORGE M. BIBB, from the State of Kentucky, attended. On the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time? it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 17, nays 15, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Bledsoe, Chace, Condict, Fromentin, Gaillard, Giles, Howell, Lacock, Morrow, Robinson, Stone, Tait, Taylor, Turner, and Varnum. NAYS.-Messrs. Bullock, Daggett, Dana, German, Gilman, Goldsborough, Gore, Horsey, Hunter, King, Lambert, Leib, Mason, Wells, and Worthington. SATURDAY, July 17. Additional Duties. The amendments to the bill, entitled "An act laying duties on carriages for the conveyance of persons," having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, the bill was read a third time as amended. On motion by Mr. HORSEY, "That this bill be recommitted, and that the com. |