OCTOBER, 1814.]

Mr. Jefferson's Library.

[SENATE.

will go into mourning for one month, in the usual | antly up the Thames, he might, in like manner, by method of wearing crape round the left arm.

Mr. Jefferson's Library.

Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH, from the joint committee on the Library of Congress, reported a joint resolution empowering the committee to contract for the purchase of the library of Mr. Jefferson, late President of the United States, for the use of Congress; and the resolution was read, and passed to the second reading.

On motion by Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH, the resolution was read the second time by unanimous consent, and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and on motion, by Mr. KING, the ther consideration thereof was postponed. The report is as follows:

"That they have received, through Mr. Samuel H. Smith, an offer from Mr. Jefferson, late President of the United States, of the whole of his library for Congress, on such terms as they consider highly advantageous to the nation, and worthy the distinguished gentleman who tenders it. But the means placed at the disposal of the committee being very limited, and totally inadequate to the purchase of such a library as that now offered, the committee must have recourse to Congress either to extend their powers, or adopt such other as they may think most proper.

the acknowledgment of their own historians, have forced all their ships up to London Bridge, and there have burnt them, the Tower, and city, had these examples been then set. London, when thus menaced, was near a thousand years old; Washington but in its teens.

now is.

I presume it will be among the early objects of Congress to recommence their collection. This will be difficult while the war continues, and intercourse with Europe is attended with so much risk. You know my collection, its condition and extent. I have been fifty years making it, and have spared no pains, opportunity or expense, to make it what it fur-afternoon I was disengaged, for a summer or two, While residing in Paris I devoted every in examining all the principal bookstores, turning over every book with my own hands, and putting by every thing which related to America, and, indeed, whatever was rare and valuable in every science; besides this, I had standing orders, during the whole time I was in Europe, in its principal book marts, particularly Amsterdam, Frankfort, Madrid, and London, for such works relating to America as could not be found in Paris. So that in that department, particularly, such a collection was made as probably can never again be effected; because it is hardly probable that the same opportunities, the same time, industry, perseverance, and expense, with some knowledge of the bibliography of the subject, would again happen to be in concurrence. During the same period, and after my return to America, I was led to procure also whatever related to the duties of those in the highest concerns of the nation; so that the collection, which I suppose is of between nine and ten thousand volumes, while it includes what is chiefly valuable in science and literature generally, extends more particularly to whatever belongs to the American statesman; in the diplomatic and parliamentary branches, it is particularly full. is long since I have been sensible it ought not to continue private property, and had provided that, at my death, Congress should have the refusal of it, at makes the present the proper moment for their actheir own price; but the loss they have now incurred commodation, without regard to the small remnant of time and the barren use of my enjoying it. I ask of your friendship, therefore, to make for me the tender of it to the Library Committee of Congress, not

"Should it be the sense of Congress to confide this matter to the committee, they respectfully submit the following resolution:

"Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatires of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the joint library committee of the two Houses of Congress be, and they are hereby authorized and empowered to contract, on their part, for the purchase of the library of Mr. Jefferson, late President of the United States, for the use of both Houses of Congress."

MONDAY, October 10.

GEORGE WALKER, appointed Senator by the Executive of the State of Kentucky, in place of George M. Bibb, resigned, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the Senate.

Mr. Jefferson's Library. MR. GOLDSBOROUGH, chairman of the joint Library Committee of Congress, communicated a letter from Samuel H. Smith, Esq., enclosing one from Mr. Jefferson, tendering the disposition of his library to Congress; which were read. Mr. Jefferson's letter is as follows:

MONTICELLO, September 21, 1814. DEAR SIR: I learn from the newspapers that the Vandalism of our enemy has triumphed at Washington, over science as well as the arts, by the destruction of the public library, with the noble edifice in which it was deposited. Of this transaction, as of that of Copenhagen, the world will entertain but one sentiment. They will see a nation suddenly withdraw from a great war, full armed and full handed, taking advantage of another whom they had recently forced into it, unarmed and unprepared, to indulge themselves in acts of barbarism which does not belong to a civilized age. When Van Tromp destroyed their shipping at Chatham, and De Ruyter rode triumph

It

knowing myself of whom the committee consists.
I enclose you a catalogue, which will enable them to
judge of its contents. Nearly the whole are well
bound-abundance of them elegantly, and of the
choicest editions. They may be valued by the
persons named by themselves, and the payment made
convenient to the public; it may be, for instance,
in such annual instalments as the law of Congress
has left at their disposal, or in stock of any of their
late loans, or any loan they may institute at this
session, so as to spare the present calls of our
country, and await its days of peace and prosperity.
They may enter, nevertheless, into immediate use of
it, as eighteen or twenty wagons would place it in
Washington in a single trip of a fortnight. I should
be willing, indeed, to retain a few of the books to
amuse the time I have yet to pass, which might be
valued with the rest, but not included in the sum of
valuation until they should be restored at my death,
which I would cheerfully provide for, so that the
whole library, as it stands in the catalogue at this

SENATE.]

Taxation of Bank Notes-Memorial of Stephen Girard.

[OCTOBER, 1814.

moment, should be theirs, without any garbling. | ported, in part, a resolution expressive of the Those I should like to retain would be chiefly sense of Congress relative to the capture of the classical and mathematical, some few in other British sloop Reindeer by the American sloop branches, and particularly one of the five Encyclo- Wasp; and the resolution was read, and pedias in the catalogue; but this, if not acceptable, passed to the second reading. would not be urged. I must add, that I have not revised the library since I came home to live, so that it is probable some of the books may be missing, except in the chapters of law and divinity, which have been revised, and stand exactly as in the catalogue, which will of course be needed, whether the tender be accepted or not. I do not know that it contains any branch of science which Congress

would wish to exclude from their collection. There is in fact no subject to which a member of Congress may not have occasion to refer. But such a wish would not correspond with my views of preventing its dismemberment. My design is either to place it in their hands entire, or preserve it so here. I am engaged in making an alphabetical index of the authors' names, to be annexed to the catalogue, in order to facilitate the finding their works in the catalogue, which I will forward to you as soon as completed. Any agreement you shall be so good as to take the trouble of entering into with the committee, I hereby confirm.

Accept the assurance of my great esteem and respect, THOMAS JEFFERSON.

The Senate then resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the "resolution empowering the joint library committee to contract for the purchase of Mr. Jefferson's library; and, no amendment having been proposed, the President reported it to the House accordingly; and on the question, "Shall this resolution be engrossed and read a third time?" it was determined in the affirmative.

On motion by Mr. FROMENTIN, it was read a third time by unanimous consent, and passed.

TUESDAY, October 11.

Charles Cutts, Esq., elected Secretary. Agreeable to the resolution of the 6th instant, the Senate proceeded to the election of a Secretary, and the whole number of ballots collected was thirty-one, of which CHARLES CUTTS, had sixteen, and was accordingly elected in the place of Samuel Allyne Otis, deceased.

WEDNESDAY, October 12.

The oaths prescribed were, by the President, administered to CHARLES CUTTS, Esq., Secretary of the Senate.

Mr. TAIT communicated a letter from the Secretary for the Department of Navy, with copies of the documents relative to the capture and destruction of the enemy's sloop of war Reindeer, by the American sloop of war Wasp, commanded by Captain Johnston Blakely; and the letter and documents therein referred to were read, and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.

THURSDAY, October 20. SAMUEL SMITH, from the State of Maryland, took his seat in the Senate.

MONDAY, October 24.

JOHN LAMBERT, from the State of New Jersey, took his seat in the Senate.

WEDNESDAY, October 26.
Taxation of Bank Notes-Memorial of Stephen
Girard.

Mr. ROBERTS presented the memorial of Stephen Girard, of the city of Philadelphia, stating that he has established a bank upon his own fortune and credit, and for his own exclusive emolument, and that, by the construction given to the act of Congress laying duties on notes of banks, bankers, &c., he is excluded from the privileges enjoyed by other banking companies, and praying relief, for reasons stated at large in the memorial; which was read, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. ROBERTS, SMITH, and DAGGETT, were appointed the committee.

The memorial is as follows:

To the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled, the memorial of Stephen Girard, of the city of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, merchant and banker, respectfully showeth : That your memorialist has established a bank in the city of Philadelphia, upon the foundation of his own individual fortune and credit, and for his own exclusive emolument, and that he is willing most cheerfully to contribute, in common with his fellowcitizens throughout the United States, a full proportion of the taxes which have been imposed for the support of the National Government according to the profits of his occupation and the value of his estate; but a construction has been given to the acts of ConThe resolutions expressive of the sense of Con-gress laying duties on notes of banks, &c., from which gress of the gallantry and good conduct with which the reputation of the arms of the United States has been sustained by Major General Brown, Major General Scott, and Brigadiers Ripley, Miller, Porter, Gaines, and Macomb, were read the second time, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, to consider and report thereon.

MONDAY, October 17.

Honors to Captain Johnston Blakely.
Mr. TAIT, from the Naval Committee, re-

great difficulties have occurred and great inequalities daily produced to the disadvantage of his bank, that were not, it is confidently believed, within the contemplation of the Legislature.

That the first section of the act of Congress of the 2d August, 1813, having imposed a stamp duty on notes issued by any banker or bankers, as well as by any banks or companies, either incorporated or not incorporated, it is provided by the second section of the act, "that in respect to any stamp on any of the notes of the banks or companies aforesaid, now es

Mr. ROBERTS, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of Stephen Girard, reported a bill supplementary to an act laying duties on notes of banks, bankers, and certain companies; on notes, bonds, and obligations, discounted by banks, bankers, and certain companies; and on bills of exchange of certain descriptions; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

WEDNESDAY, November 23.

Death of the Vice President.

About the hour of meeting, a report having reached the Senate Chamber of the death of the VICE PRESIDENT of the United States, the members from Massachusetts, Messrs. VARNUM and GORE, proceeded to his lodgings to ascertain the fact; and, on their return, having announced the fact to the Senate, the following proceeding took place, on motion of Mr. BLED

WEDNESDAY, November 2. SAMUEL W. DANA, from the State of Con- thirty days. necticut took his seat in the Senate.

Revenue Bill.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the

Whole, the consideration of the bill entitled "An act to provide additional revenues for defraying the expenses of Government and maintaining the public credit, by laying duties on household furniture, on horses kept exclusively for the saddle or carriage, and on gold and silver watches," together with the amendments

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the reported thereto by the select committee.

JANUARY, 1815.]

Question of Senator Bledsoe's right to retain his Seat.

THURSDAY, December 29.

Revenue Bill.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act to provide additional revenues for defraying the expenses of Government, and maintaining the public credit, by laying duties on household furniture, on horses kept exclusively for the saddle or carriage, and on gold and silver watches."

And the bill having been further amended, on the question, "Shall the amendments be engrossed and read a third time as amended?" it was determined in the affirmative.

FRIDAY, December 30.

JOSEPH KERR, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of Ohio, in place of Thomas Worthington, resigned, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the Senate.

Death of Senator Brent.

[SENATE.

Mr. SMITH, from the committee to whom were referred the amendments of the House to the bill to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States of America, reported the same with a number of amendments.

[The amendments to the amendments of the House propose to increase the fixed capital of the Bank from thirty to thirty-five millions of dollars; to make the capital consist of shares of four hundred instead of one hundred dollars each; that the five millions proposed to be added to the capital, shall be added also to the amount subscribable in public debt; to disagree to the proposition of the House for striking out the section which auHon-thorizes suspension of payments in specie; to agree to the section which compels the bank to commence its operations before the first day of January, and to disagree to that which proposes to authorize a committee of Congress at any time to examine the books, &c., and prescribes the course of proceeding in the courts against the bank, in case of violation of its charter.]

Mr. SMITH announced the death of the
orable RICHARD BRENT, å Senator from the
State of Virginia, who deceased this morning.
Whereupon, on motion, by Mr. SMITH,
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to
take order for superintending the funeral of the
Honorable RICHARD BRENT; and that the Sen-
ate will attend the same; and that notice of
the event be given to the House of Representa-
tives.

Ordered, That Messrs. SMITH, VARNUM, TUR-
NER, GORE, and DAGGETT, be the committee.
On motion, by Mr. SMITH,

The consideration of this report was postponed to, and made the order of the day for tomorrow.

FRIDAY, January 20.

his Seat.

Resolved, unanimously, That the members of the Senate, from a sincere desire of showing Question of Senator Bledsoe's right to retain every mark of respect due to the memory of the Honorable RICHARD BRENT, 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. SMITH,

Resolved, That the President of the Senate be requested to notify the Executive of the State of Virginia, of the death of the Honorable RICHARD BRENT, late a Senator of the United States from that State.

On motion, by Mr. SMITH,
Resolved, That, as an additional mark of re-
spect for the memory of the Honorable RICH-
ARD BRENT, the Senate now adjourn.

THURSDAY, January 5, 1815.
Direct Taxes.

The bill entitled "An act to provide additional revenue for defraying the expenses of Government, and maintaining the public credit, by laying a direct tax upon the United States, and to provide for assessing and collecting the same," was read a third time.

WEDNESDAY, January 11.

JAMES BARBOUR, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia,

The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a letter from the Honorable Mr. BLEDSOE, as follows:

WASHINGTON, January 20, 1815.

SIR: Doubts having arisen whether I have a right still to fill my seat in the Senate of the United States, with a view to have the question settled, and a precedent established, and to save my own feelings on a point of duty, I beg leave, through you, to submit the following case for the decision of that honorable body:

Previous to the 24th December last, I forwarded,

by mail, my resignation to the Governor of the State of Kentucky, to take place on that day, to be by him communicated to the Legislature of that State, then, and, so far as I am informed, still in session. I was, by a letter from the Governor of that State, advised that he had received my resignation, and would hold it up in the hope of hearing from me, and of a change in my determination on that subject, until about the last of that month, when he would communicate it to the Legislature. Newspaper information states that he did so, and that my successor has been appointed; which latter fact is also stated in a letter to a gentleman of the House of Representatives, as I have been informed. This is all the information I have received. Whether, under these circumstances, I am to be considered as still a member, will be for the honorable Senate to decide. Wishing it to be understood I have no other solicitude as to the result