SENATE.]
Proceedings.

[APRIL, 1798. property of a citizen or citizens of the United States; relief of Reuben Smith and Nathan Strong, and and if bound to the ports of one of the belligerent Pow. of Peter Aupoix,” was read the second time, and ers, that no goods, wares, or merchandise, contraband referred to 'Messrs. Tracy, LIVERMORE, and by the general law of nations, or by any treaty to which GREENE, to consider and report thereon to the the United States are a party, are laden on board the Senate. same. Duplicate certificates to this effect, ascertaining The bill, sent from the House of Representatives the nature and quality of the cargo, shall be furnished for concurrence, entitled “An act for the relief by the Collector of the district where the cargo was of Obadiah Brown," was read the second time, laden, one of which shall be delivered to the command and referred to Messrs. GREENE, LIVERMORE, and ing officer of the convoy, and the other retained by the Sedgwick, to consider and report thereon to the captain of the merchant vessel. And in cases where

Senate. merchant vessels of the United States are to be taken under convoy, bound from foreign ports, certificates of

The bill, sent from the House of Representathe same nature, including the same provisions, shall tives for concurrence, entitled “An act to alter be delivered to the commander of the convoy; and if the time of making entry of stills, and for other no Consul shall be resident at such port, then certifi- purposes,” was read the third time as amended; cates containing evidence of a like nature, attested by and the question on its final passage postponed two witnessess, and taken before a judge, magistraté, until to-morrow. or notary public, shall be procured.”

Mr. GOODHUE, from the committee appointed It was determined in the affirmative-yeas 12, the 29th of November last, on that part of the nays 9, as follows:

Speech of the President of the United States Yuas—Messrs. Clayton, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, which respects measures for the security and proHillhouse, Howard, Latimer, Laurance, Read, Ross, tection of the commerce of the United States, Sedgwick, and Tracy.

reported, in part, a bill to authorize the President Nars-Messrs. Bingham, Bloodworth, Brown, Lang- of the United States to cause to be purchased or don, Livermore, Marshall, Martin, Mason, and Taze-built, a number of small vessels to be equipped as well.

galleys, or otherwise; which bill was read. On the question to agree to the fourth amend

Ordered, That it pass to a second reading. ment, which is, to strike out of the bill the follow

Mr. Goodhue, from the committee to whom ing section:

was referred the bill, sent from the House of Rep

resentatives for concurrence, entitled " An act “Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That all commis- supplementary to the act providing for the further sioned armed vessels of the United States shall be governed in their conduct towards foreign armed vessels by protection of the ports and harbors of the United the provisions and stipulations of treaties respectively

States," reported the bill without amendment. subsisting with foreign nations, and by the principles

Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. of the general law of nations:"

Mr. Brown, from the committee appointed to It was determined in the affirmative-yeas 13, necessary to an act entitled “ An act providing

inquire whether any, and what, amendments are nays 8, as follows:

for the sale of the lands of the United States in Yeas–Messrs. Clayton, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, the territory northwest of the river Ohio, and Hillhouse, Howard, Latimer, Laurance, Marshall, above the mouth of Kentucky river,” reported a Read, Ross, Sedgwick, and Tracy. NÁrs-Messrs. Bingham, Bloodworth, Brown, Lang- ordered to a second reading.

bill to amend the same; which was read, and don, Livermore, Martin, Mason, and Tazewell.

A motion was made by Mr. HullHOUSE, Whereupon, Resolved, That the Senate do

“ That a committee be appointed to consider whether agree to all the amendments of the said bill. A message from the House of Representatives removing from the territory of the United States such

any, and what, provision ought to be made by law, for informed the Senate that the House have passed aliens born, not entitled by the Constitution and laws a bill, entitled “ An act for the relief of Obadiah thereof to the rights of citizenship, as may be dangerous Brown ;” and a bill, entitled “ An act for the re- to its peace and safety ; and providing for returns to be lief of Reuben Smith and Nathan Strong, and of made of all aliens that shall be landed from any vessel Peter Aupoix;" in which bills they desire the which shall arrive in any of the ports of the United concurrence of the Senate.

States; and that permits be granted to such as shall be The bills were read, and ordered to the second suffered to reside therein ; and to report by bill or otherreading.

wise.” The Senate took into consideration the report Ordered, That this motion lie for consideration. of the committee on the bill, sent from the House The Senate resumed the second reading of the of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An bill to alter and amend the act entitled "An act act to alter the time of making entry of stills, and to establish the Judicial Courts of the United for other purposes ;" and, the report having been States;" and, after debate, adopted, the bill was amended accordingly. Ordered, That the further consideration thereof

Ordered, That this bill pass to the third reading be postponed until the next session of Congress. as amended.

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WEDNESDAY, April 25.

THURSDAY, April 26. The bill, sent from the House of Representa- The bill to amend an act entitled “ An aci protives for concurrence, entitled “ An act for the viding for the sale of the lands of the United APRIL, 1798.]

Proceedings.

(SENATE.

States in the territory north west of the river districts of Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky river,” Tennessee, shall compose one circuit, and be called the was read the second time.

third circuit ; and the districts of South Carolina and Ordered, That the further consideration thereof Georgia shall compose one circuit, and be called the be postponed until to-morrow.

fourth circuit : that two associate justices be appointed, A message from the House of Representatives in addition to the present number; and that two jusinformed the Senate that the House of Represen- tices be assigned to each circuit, to hold the circuit tatives disagree to the amendments of the Senate courts therein semi-annually, except in the districts of to the bill entitled " An act to revive and continue Kentucky, and Tennessee, where they shall be held in force the act respecting the compensation of

annually.” clerks, and for other purposes."

Ordered, That this motion lie for consideration. The Senate took into consideration the motion

The Vice President communicated a letter made yesterday respecting such aliens, resident in from Thomas Pinckney, late Minister Plenipothe United States, as may be dangerous to its tentiary of the United States to His Catholic peace and safety; and, having amended the mo- Majesty, requesting the direction of Congress in tion, by expunging the word "born,” after the respect to the acceptance of the customary preword "aliens,” in the first instance, it was adopted; sent from that Government, and also of one from and

His Britannic Majesty, made in conformity to Ordered, That Messrs. Livermore, Hillhouse, the usage of those Powers respectively, to a forREAD, Sedgwick, and Laurance, be the commit- eign Minister, on negotiating a treaty; and the tee for the purposes therein mentioned.

letter was read. Mr. Bingham presented the address and me

Ordered, That it lie for consideration. morial of the citizens of Philadelphia, the district of Southwark, and the Northern Liberties, expressive of their perfect and grateful approbation

FRIDAY, April 27. of the conduct heretofore pursued by the Execu

The bill, sent from the House of Representative Department," to preserve peace with foreign tives for concurrence, entitled "An act supplementnations and the neutral position of the United ary to an act providing for the further protection States, their confidence in the wisdom and patri- of the ports and harbors of the United States," was otism of every branch of the Government and read a third time and passed. pledging themselves firmly to support every meas

The bill to authorize the President of the Uniure which may hereafter be thought necessary to ted States to cause to be purchased or built a numsecure the Constitution, freedom, and independ- ber of small vessels, to be equipped as galleys, or ence, of the United States; and,

otherwise, was read the third time. On motion by Mr. LIVERMORE, a large and re

Resolved, That this bill pass; that it be enspectable committee of the said citizens being grossed; and that the title thereof be “ An act to admitted on the floor of the House, the address authorize the President of the United States to was read.

cause to be purchased or built a number of small Ordered, That it lie on the table.

vessels, to be equipped as galleys, or otherwise.” The Senate took into consideration their amend

On motion by Mr. MARSHALL, ments disagreed to by the House of Representa

Resolved, That no motion shall be deemed in tives to the bill entitled " An act to revive and order, to admit any person or persons whatever continue in force the act respecting the compen- sent any petition, memorial, or address, or to hear

within the doors of the Senate Chamber, to presation of clerks, and for other purposes."

Resolved, That they do insist on their amend any such read. ments to the said bill.

On motion by Mr. Tazewell, that it be Mr. GOODHUE, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, sent from the House of Rep- that no member of the Senate ought to receive or give resentatives for concurrence, entitled "An act to any visit to any foreign agent or ambassador, or any enable the President of the United States to pro- other person that avows himself to be a public agent or cure cappon, arms, and ammunition, and for other ambassador for a foreign country, without the leave and purposes,” reported the bill without amendment.

consent of the Senate"The bill authorizing the President of the Uni

It was determined in the negative-yeas 6, ted States to cause to be purchased or built

, a nays 16, as follows: number of small vessels to be equipped as galleys, Yeas-Messrs. Anderson, Bloodworth, Brown, Lang. or otherwise, was read the second time.

don, Mason, and Tazewell. Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. Nays-Messrs. Bingham, Clayton, Foster, Goodhue, On motion, by Mr. MARSHALL,

Greene, Hillhouse, Howard, Latimer, Laurance, Liver“ That, instead of the three existing circuits, the more, Marshall, Martin, Read, Sedgwick, Tattnall, and several districts of the United States be divided and

Tracy. arranged into four circuits, to wit: The districts of New A message from the House of Representatives Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, informed the Senate that they have passed a bill, and Vermont, shall compose one circuit, and be called entitled “ An act making appropriations for the the first circuit; the districts of New York, New Jer- Military Establishment for the year 1798, and for sey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, shall com- other purposes,” in which they desire the concurpose one circuit, and be called the second circuit; the rence of the Senate.

6

on be House

66

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Senate.]
Proceedings.

[May, 1798. Mr. Howard presented the resolutions of a nu- bill, sent from the House of Representatives for merous and respectable meeting of the citizens of concurrence, entitled " An act to alter the time of Georgetown, held the 21st day of April, instant, making entry of stills, and for other purposes ;" signed Lloyd Beall, chairman, expressive of their and, after debateentire approbation of the conduci of the Execu- Ordered, That the further consideration thereof tive, in respect to the instructions to our Minis- be postponed. ters to the French Republic, and of the strongest The bill last brought from the House of Repreconfidence in the wisdom, virtue, and patriotism, sentatives for concurrence was read, and it was, of the constituted authorities of their country; by unanimous consent, read the second time. which resolutions were read.

Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. Tracy, The bill last brought from the House of Repre- Anderson, and LATIMER, to consider and repori sentatives for concurrence was read, and ordered thereon to the Senate. to the second reading.

The bill, sent from the House of RepresentaMr. GREENE, from the committee to whom was tives for concurrence, entitled “ An act for the referred the bill, sent from the House of Repre- relief of Obadiah Brown," was read the third time sentatives for concurrence, entitled "An act for and passed. the relief of Obadiah Brown," reported the bill Ordered, That the petition of Laurance Manwithout amendment; and, the report being agreed ning be referred to Messrs. READ, HOWARD, and to

Sedgwick, to consider and report thereon to the Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. Senate.

The Senate took into consideration the bill, sent Ordered, That the letter of Thomas Pinckney, from the House of Representatives for concur- late Minister Plenipotentiary, to negotiate a treaty rence, entitled “ An act to enable the President of with His Catholic Majesty, communicated to the the United States to procure cannon, arms, and Senate the 26th instant, be referred to Messrs. ammunition, and for other purposes.”

SEDGWICK, Read, and Bingham, to consider and Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. report thereon to the Senate.

The bill, sent from the House of Representa Mr. Tracy notified the Senate that he should, tives for concurrence, entitled “ An act to alter to-morrow, ask leave to introduce a bill to amend the time of making an entry of stills, and for other the act, entitled “An act to amend and repeal, purposes," was resumed; and, after debate, the in part, the act entitled 'An act to ascertain and Senate adjourned.

fix the Military Establishment of the United

States."
Monday, April 30.
Mr. STOCKTON presented the address and me-

Tuesday, May 1. morial of the citizens of Newark; also, the reso- Mr. STOCKTON presented the address of a nulutions of the citizens of the county of Monmouth, merous and respectable meeting of the citizens in the State of New Jersey, approbating the con- of the city and township of Trenton and its duct of the Government in the endeavors to effect vicinity, in the State of New Jersey, signed Isaac a good understanding with the French Republic, Smith, chairman; highly approbating the conduct and expressing their determination, to the utmost of the Executive, in respect to the negotiation of their ability, to support all such measures for with the French Republic, and expressive of their the protection and vindication of the rights, lib- assurances of support to every branch of the Goverty, and independence, of the United States, as ernment in such measures as may be adopted for may be recommended or enacted; and they were the security of the freedom, independence, and severally read.

defence of our country; which address was read. The bill, sent from the House of Representa- "Mr. Sedgwick, from the Committee to whom tives for concurrence, entitled “ An act making was referred the letter of Thomas Pinckney, late appropriations for the Military ·Establishment for Minister Plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty the year 1798, and for other purposes,” was read with His Catholic Majesty, communicated to the the second time, and referred to Messrs. Tracy, Senate the 26th of April last, made report, which STOCKTON, and GREENE, to consider and report was read and considered; and, after debate therethereon to the Senate.

on, the Senate adjourned. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled “ An act to enable the President of the United States to procuțe cannon,

Wednesday, May 2. arms, and amunition, and for other purposes," was A message from the House of Representatives read the third time and passed.

informed the Senate that they have passed a bill, A message from the House of Representatives entitled "An act to continue in force a part of a

' informed the Senate that they have passed a bill, act therein mentioned," in which they desire the entitled “ An act directing the payment of a de concurrence of the Senate. tachment of militia, for services performed in the Agreeably to notice given on the 30th of April year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, last, Mr. Tracy obtained leave to bring in a bill under Major James Ore,” in which they desire to amend the act entitled "An act to amend and the concurrence of the Senate.

repeal, in part, the act entitled 'An act to ascerThe Senate resumed the third reading of the Itain and fix the Military Establishment of the

a

May, 1798.]
Proceedings.

[Senate. United States;” and the bill was read and or- in the late negotiation with the French Republic, dered to the second reading.

and pledging their cheerful and prompt compliThe Senate resumed the consideration of the ance in support of the Administration. report of the committee authorizing Thomas The Vice President laid before the Senate a Pinckney, late Envoy Extraordinary to the King report from the Secretary for the Department of of Spain, and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Treasury, on the state of the Western lands; in King of Great Britain, to receive the customary conformity to the order of Senate of the 17th of presents to foreign Ministers at those Courts. April last:

On the question to agree to the first resolution Ordered, That this report, together with the reported, to wit:

bill to amend an act entiiled “An act providing "Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Repre- for the sale of the lands of the United States in sentatives of the United States of America in Congress the territory northwest of the river Ohio, and assembled, That Congress doth consent that Thomas above the mouth of Kentucky river," be referred Pinckney, Esq., who, as Envoy Extraordinary of the to Messrs. Brown, Stockton, and Mason; who United States, negotiated the Treaty of Friendship, are also instructed to take into consideration che Limits, and Navigation, between the United States petition of James Jamison and others, inhabitants and the King of Spain, may receive from the said on the Sciora river, presented to the Senate on the King such present as it is customary for His Catholic first of February last, to consider and report Majesty to make to such persons as negotiate treaties thereon. with him :"

Mr. Tracy, from the committee to whom was It passed in the affirmative-yeas 17, nays 5, referred the bill, sent from the House of Repreas follows:

sentatives for concurrence, entitled “ An act diYeas—Messrs. Anderson, Bingham, Bloodworth, recting the payment of a detachment of militia Clayton, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, Hillhouse, How- for services performed in the year one thousand ard, Latimer, Laurance, Livermore, Martin, Read, seven hundred and ninety-four, under Major Sedgwick, Stockton, and Tracy.

James Ore," reported the bill with an amendNars--Messrs. Brown, Langdon, Marshall, Mason, ment; which was considered and adopted. and Tazewell.

Ordered, That this bill pass to the third readAnd the other resolution reported was agreed

ing as amended. to, in the words following:

The bill to amend the act, entitled “ An act to And be it further resolved, That Congress doth con

amend and repeal, in part, ihe act entitled 'An sent that the said Thomas Pinckney, Esq., lately ment of the United States,” was read the second

act to ascertain and fix the Military EstablishMinister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the King of Great Britain, may receive from the said time, and referred to Messrs. TRACY, HOWARD, King such present as it is customary for His Britannic and Anderson, to consider and report thereon to Majesty to make to Ministers Plenipotentiary on taking

the Senate. leave of him.

The bill, sent from the House of RepresentaThe motion made on the 26th of April last, for tives for concurrence, entitled “ An aci to conchanging the three existing circuits of the United tinue in force a part of an act therein mentioned," States into four circuits, was resumed and agreed

was read the second time. to; and,

Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. Ordered, That it be referred to the committee

Mr. Howard presented the address and memoappointed the 20th of April last, " 10 inquire into rial of the citizens of Baltimore, and Baltimore the expediency of altering the terms for holding county, applauding the wise and liberal measures the courts of the United States in the districts of of the Government, for the adjustment of differKentucky, Tennessee, and Maine ;” which com- the United States and the French Republic, and

ences and the restoration of harmony between mitlee are instructed to bring in a bill accordingly. expressive of their determination to support the

constituted authorities of their country; and the THURSDAY, May 3.

address was read. Mr. LAURANCE presented the address of a num- Mr. H. presented, also, the address of a number of respectable citizens of New York, signed ber of the inhabitants of Harford county, in the by Jacob Morton and others, their committee, State of Maryland, signed Samuel Hughes, chairexpressive of their high esteem of the wisdom man, declaring much satisfaction in the measures and moderation of the Chief Magistrate of the taken by the Executive of the United States, for United States, in conducting the late negotiation the accommodation of the unhappy differences with the French Republic, and of his unshaken subsisting between this country and the French firmness and patriotism; also, assuring Congress Republic, and their determination firmly to supof their determination to support, at all hazards, port, in all situations, their independence, and such measures as may be deemed necessary to

the Government of their choice. maintain the honor, freedom, and independence of their country; and the address was read. Mr. Mason presented the resolutions of a nu

FRIDAY, May 4. merous meeting of the citizens of Alexandria, Mr. LIVERMORE, from the committee to whom signed John Fitzgerald, chairman, approbating was referred the motion made on the 25th of the wise and patriotic measures of the Executive April last, on the subject, reported a bill concern

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SENATE.]

Proceedings.

[May, 1798.

ing aliens; which was read, and ordered to the Mr. MARSHALL, from the committee to whom second reading.

was referred the motion made the 26th of April The following Message was received from the last, for changing the three existing circuits of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES :

United States into four circuits, reported a bill to Gentlemen of the Senate, and

Xalter and extend the provisions of the act, entitled Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : “ An act to establish the Judicial Courts of the I now transmit to Congress copies of all the commu- United States;” which was read, and ordered to nications from our Envoys Extraordinary, received the second reading. since their arrival in Paris, excepting those before presented by me to both Houses. JOHN ADAMS..

THURSDAY, May 10. United States, May 4, 1798.

Mr. Stockton presented the resolutions of a The Message and communications were read. Ordered, That five hundred copies of the Mes-Brunswick and its vicinity, in the State of New

very respectable number of the citizens of New sage and communications be printed for the use Jersey, signed John Neilson, chairman, expressive of the Senate. The bill, sent from the House of Representa- firm, and temperate policy adopted and pursued

of their warmest approbation of the prudent, tives for concurrence, entitled “ An act directing by the President of the United States, with rethe payment of a detachment of militia, for ser-spect to our foreign relations, and particularly to vices performed in the year one thousand seven those of the French Republic, and declaring ihat hundred and ninety-four, under Major James they will, with promptitude, ardor, and constanOre," was read the third time. Resolved, That this bill pass with an amend- defence of our country, and for maintaining the

cy, support every Governmental measure for the ment. The bill, sent from the House of Representa- resolutions were read.

national honor, rights, and independence; and the tives for concurrence, entitled "An act to continue in force a part of an act therein mentioned,” bill concerning aliens.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the was read the third time; and,

On motion to strike out of the first section the On motion, it was agreed to amend the title of following words, to wit: “ under the hand and the bill, by expunging the words “ therein men-seal of such person or persons as the President of tioned," and inserting, in their place these words; the United States shall appoint to grant the same." “respecting the compensation to the officers and and to substitute these words, “ agreeably to the mariners of the revenue cutters."

form prescribed in this act, duly authenticated by Resolved, That this bill pass as amended. A message from the House of Representatives ticular State, which courts are severally author

some court of the United States, or of some parinformed the Senate, that the House adhere to ized and required to grant the said permits, upon their disagreement to the amendments of the the application of the party, conformably to the Senate to the bill, entitled “ An act to revive and provisions of this act;" and it was agreed to dicontinue in force the act respecting the compen- vide the question, so far as it extends to striking sation of clerks, and for other purposes.”

out the words first recited; and A message from the House of Representatives

The division passed in the negative-yeas 9, informed the Senate, that the House disagree to

nays 12, as follows: the resolutions, sent from the Senate for concurrence, authorizing Thomas Pinckney, late Envoy

YEAS—Messrs. Anderson, Bloodworth, Brown, Hun. Extraordinary to the King of Spain, and Minister ter, Marshall, Martin, Mason, Tattnall, and Tazewell. Plenipotentiary to the King of Great Britain, to Hillhouse, Howard, Laurance, Livermore, Lloyd, Read,

Nays—Messrs. Bingham, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, receive the customary presents to foreign Minis- Stockton, and Tracy. ters at those Courts.

Ordered, That the further consideration of the

bill be postponed. Monday, May 7.

Mr. Lloyd presented the address of a respectThe Senate took into consideration the resolu-able number of the citizens of Elkton and its vition of the House of Representatives, adhering to cinity, in Cecil county, in the State of Maryland, their disagreement to the amendments of the expressive of their approbation of the conduct of Senate to ihe bill, entitled “ An act to revive and the Executive of the United States in his endeavcontinue in force the act respecting the compen-ors to adjust the existing differences with the sation of clerks, and for other purposes.” Where- French Republic, and of their resolution zealupon,

ously to give their support to the Government in Resolved, that they do recede from their such measures as may be adopted for the defence amendments to the said bill.

of the honor, dignity, and commercial rights of

the nation ; and the address was read. TUESDAY, May 8. The bill concerning aliens was read the second

FRIDAY, May 11. time; and, after debate,

Mr. Goodhue presented the address of the inOrdered, That the further consideration there- habitants of the town of Salem, in the Commonof be postponed.

wealth of Massachusetts, declaring their full sat