OCTOBER, 1791.] Proceedings. [SENATE. towards them, and that such rational experiments should which provision was made by law, has been duly notibe made, for imparting to them the blessings of civiliza-fied, (excepting one instance in which the return has tion, as may from time to time suit their condition. That the Executive of the United States should be enabled to employ the means to which the Indians have been long accustomed for uniting their immediate interests with the preservation of peace And that efficacious provision should be made for inflicting adequate penalties upon all those who, by violating their rights, shall infringe the treaties, and endanger the peace of the Union. A system corresponding with the mild principles of religion and philanthropy towards an unenlightened race of men, whose happiness materially depends on the conduct of the United States, would be as honorable to the national character as conformable to the dictates of sound policy. The powers specially vested in me by the act laying certain duties on distilled spirits, which respect the subdivisions of the districts into surveys, the appointment of officers, and the assignment of compensations, have likewise been carried into effect. In a matter in which been informal; and another, in which it has been omitted or miscarried,) and the returns of the officers who were charged with this duty, which will be laid before you, will give you the pleasing assurance, that the present population of the United States borders on four millions of persons. It is proper also to inform you that a further loan of two millions and a half of florins has been completed in Holland; the terms of which are similar to those of the one last announced, except as to a small reduction of charges. Another, on like terms, for six millions of florins, had been set on foot under circumstances that assured an immediate completion, Gentlemen of the Senate: with the Cherokees and Six Nations of Indians, will be Two treaties which have been provisionally concluded laid before you for your consideration and ratification. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : both materials and experience were wanting to guide trust, you must anticipate, with pleasure, that many of In entering upon the discharge of your legislative the calculation, it will be readily conceived that there the difficulties, necessarily incident to the first arrangemust have been difficulty in such an adjustment of the ments of a new Government, for an extensive country, rates of compensation as would conciliate a reasonable have been happily surmounted by the zealous and judicompetency with a proper regard to the limits precious exertions of your predecessors, in co-operation scribed by the law. It is hoped that the circumspection which has been used will be found in the result to have secured the last of the two objects; but it is probable, that, with a view of the first, in some instances a revision of the provision will be found advisable. with the other branch of the Legislature. The importpersuaded, be conducted upon principles equally comant objects which remain to be accomplished, will, I am prehensive, and equally well calculated for the advancement of the general weal. The impressions with which this law has been reThe time limited for receiving subscriptions to the ceived by the community have been, upon the whole, loans proposed by the act making provision for the debt such as were to be expected among enlightened and of the United States having expired, statements from well disposed citizens, from the propriety and necessity the proper department will, as soon as possible, apprize of the measure. The novelty, however, of the tax, in a you of the exact result. Enough, however, is already considerable part of the United States, and a miscon- known to afford an assurance that the views of that act ception of some of its provisions, have given occasion in have been substantially fulfilled. The subscription, in particular places to some degree of discontent. But, it the domestic debt of the United States, has embraced is satisfactory to know that this disposition yields to by far the greatest proportion of that debt; affording, at proper explanations and more just apprehensions of the the same time, proof of the general satisfaction of the true nature of the law. And I entertain a full confi-public creditors with the system which has been prodence that it will, in all, give way to motives which arise out of a just sense of duty, and a virtuous regard to public welfare. posed to their acceptance, and of the spirit of accommodation to the convenience of the Government with which they are actuated. The subscriptions in the debts of have permitted, may be said to be yet more general. the respective States, as far as the provisions of the law The part of the debt of the United States which remains unsubscribed, will naturally engage your further deliberations. If there are any circumstances in the law which, consistently with its main design, may be so varied as to remove any well-intentioned objections that may happen to exist, it will consist with a wise moderation to make the proper variations. It is desirable, on all occasions, to unite, with a steady and firm adherence to It is particularly pleasing to me to be able to anconstitutional and necessary acts of Government, the fullest evidence of a disposition, as far as may be prac-tablished promise to be adequate to their objects, and nounce to you that the revenues which have been esticable, to consult the wishes of every part of the community, and to lay the foundations of the public administration in the affections of the people. Pursuant to the authority contained in the several acts on that subject, a district of ten miles square, for the permanent seat of the Government of the United States, has been fixed, and announced by proclamation; which district will comprehend lands on both sides of the river Potomac, and the towns of Alexandria and Georgetown. A city has also been laid out, agreeably to a plan which will be placed before Congress. And, as there is a prospect, favored by the rate of sales which have already taken place, of ample funds for carrying on the necessary public buildings, there is every expect. ation of their due progress. The completion of the census of the inhabitants, for may be permitted, if no unforeseen exigency occurs, to supersede, for the present, the necessity of any new burdens upon our constituents. An object which will claim your early attention is a provision for the current service of the ensuing year, together with such ascertained demands upon the Treasury as require to be immediately discharged, and such casualties as may have arisen in the execution of the specific appropriation may have yet been made; of all which a proper estimate public business, for which no will be laid before you. Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives : I shall content myself with a general reference to former communications for several objects, upon which the urgency of other affairs has hitherto postponed any definitive resolution. Their importance will recall them to your attention; and, I trust, that the progress already made in the most arduous arrangements of the Government will afford you leisure to resume them with ad vantage. There are, however, some of them of which I cannot for bear a more particular mention. These are: the Militia, the Post Office and Post Roads, the Mint, Weights and Measures, and a provision for the sale of the vacant lands of the United States. The first is certainly an object of primary importance, whether viewed in reference to the national security, to the satisfaction of the community, or to the preservation of order. In connection with this, the establishment of competent magazines and arsenals, and the fortification of such places as are peculiarly important and vulnerable, naturally present themselves to consideration. The safety of the United States, under Divine protection, ought to rest on the basis of systematic and solid arrange ments, exposed as little as possible to the hazards of fortuitous circumstances. The importance of the Post Office and Post Roads, on a plan sufficiently liberal and comprehensive, as they respect the expedition, safety, and facility of communication, is increased by their instrumentality in diffusing a knowledge of the laws and proceedings of the Government; which, while it contributes to the security of the people, serves also to guard them against the effects of misrepresentation and misconception. The establishment of additional cross posts, especially to some of the important points in the western and northern parts of the Union, cannot fail to be of material utility. The disorders in the existing currency, and especially the scarcity of small change, a scarcity so peculiarly distressing to the poorer classes, strongly recommend the carrying into immediate effect the resolution already entered into concerning the establishment of a Mint. Measures have been taken pursuant to that resolution for procuring some of the most necessary artists, together with the requisite apparatus. An uniformity in the Weights and Measures of the country is among the important objects submitted to you by the Constitution, and, if it can be derived from a standard at once invariable and universal, must be no less honorable to the public councils, than conducive to the public convenience. A provision for the sale of the vacant lands of the United States is particularly urged, among other reasons, by the important considerations, that they are pledged as a fund for reimbursing the public debt; that, if timely and judiciously applied, they may save the necessity of burthening our citizens with new taxes for the extinguishment of the principal; and that, being free to discharge the principal but in a limited proportion, no opportunity ought to be lost for availing the public of its right. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, October 25, 1791. The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES having retired, and the two Houses being separated, Ordered, That Messrs. BURR, CABOT, and JOHNSTON, be a committee to prepare and report the draft of an Address to the President of the United States, in answer to his Speech delivered this day to both Houses of Congress. Ordered, That the Speech of the President of the United States, delivered this day, be printed for the use of the Senate. [OCTOBER, 1791. WEDNESDAY, October 26. RUFUS KING, from the State of New York, and JOHN HENRY, from the State of Maryland, attended. from the Treasurer of the United States to the The following Letter, dated October 25th, 1791, Vice President, was communicated: SIR: My accounts from the 1st October, 1790, to the 30th June, 1791, having passed the offices, and been reported on, permit me, through you, to lay them before the honorable the Senate, and at the same time to inform them that my specie and indent accounts from the 1st July to the 30th September, are at the Treasury for settlement, and when passed on, will be immediately handed you. Ordered, That this Letter, and the accounts therein referred to, lie for consideration. The following Message from the President of the United States was received and read: Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: I lay before you copies of the following Acts which have been transmitted to me during the recess of Congress, viz.: An Act passed by the Legislature of New Hampshire, for ceding to the United States the fort and light-house belonging to the said State. An Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, ratifying, on behalf of said State, the first article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, as proposed by Congress; and An Act of the Legislature of North Carolina, granting the use of the jails within that State to the United States. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, October 26, 1791. Ordered, That the Message and papers accompanying it lie for consideration. The petition of Thomas Shubrick, Esq., of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina, on behalf of Mary and Susanna Shubrick, daughters of Richard Shubrick, Esq., deceased, was read, praying that the provisions of the resolves of Congress of the 15th of May, 1778, and of the 24th of August, 1780, may be extended to the said Mary and Susanna, Ordered, That this petition be referred to the Secretary of War to report thereon to the Senate. THURSDAY, October 27. The following resolution of the Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia was communicated, dated October 6th, 1791. Resolved, That the resolution of the 18th of January last, be extended to the present Congress of the United States, and that the Secretary be directed to furnish copies of the said resolution to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The memorial of John Nixon and others, a committee on behalf of certain creditors of the United States, was read, requesting that an appropriation may be made for the payment of the arrears of their interest and the annual interest accruing. Ordered, That this petition lie on the table. The petition of Roger Smith, in behalf of Jacob and William Mott, minors, and sons of Charles Mott, Esq., deceased, late a Major of the second continental regiment of the State of South Carolina, was read, praying that the benefits of commutation of half pay may be extended to the aforesaid Jacob and William. Ordered, That this petition be referred to the Secretary of War, to report thereon to the Senate. The petition of Thomas O. Elliot, executor of the late Colonel Bernard Elliot, was read, praying that the orphan son of the said Bernard Elliot may receive the commutation for his late father's services, as Lieutenant-colonel, who died in the service of the United States. [SENATE. sister, Mary Huger, widow of Benjamin Huger, Esq., late Major of the fifth continental regiment of the State aforesaid, was read, praying that the resolutions of Congress, of May 15th, 1778, and 24th of August, 1780, may be extended to the said Mary Huger. Ordered, That this petition be referred to the Secretary of War, to report thereon to the Senate. The following Message was received from the President of the United States: Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: Ordered, That this petition be referred to the I lay before you a copy of a letter, and of sundry doSecretary of War, to report thereon to the Senate. cuments, which I have received from the Governor of The petition of James Ball, of the State of South | Pennsylvania, respecting certain persons who are said to Carolina, on behalf of Jean Ann Ball, his wife, late have fled from justice out of the State of Pennsylvania, Jean Ann Wise, only daughter of Major Samuel into that of Virginia; together with a report of the Attor Wise, deceased, late of the third continental regi-ney-General of the United States upon the same subject. ment in the State aforesaid, was read, praying that the benefits of the resolves of Congress of the 15th of May, 1778, and the 24th of August, 1780, may be extended to the said Jean Ann. Ordered, That this petition be referred to the Secretary of War, to report thereon to the Senate. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that they have proceeded by ballot to the appointment of a Chaplain to Congress on their part, and, upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes of the whole House was found in favor of the Reverend Mr. BLAIR. I have received from the Governor of North Carolina a copy of an Act of the General Assembly of that State, and jurisdiction of the said State over one acre of land authorizing him to convey to the United States the right in Ocracock Island, and ten acres on the Cape Island, within the said State, for the purpose of erecting lighthouses thereon, together with the deed of the Governor, in pursuance thereof, and the original conveyances made to the State by the individual proprietors, which original conveyances contain conditions that the lighthouse on Ocracock shall be built before the first day of January, 1801, and that on the Cape Island before the eighth day of October, 1800. And I have caused these several papers to be deposited in the office of the Secre the Inhabitants of the United States, which have been A statement of the Returns of the Enumeration of received, will at this time be laid before you. The petition of Charles Hateley, of South Carolina, that he may have a patent for a newly in-tary of State. vented machine or mill, for freeing of grain or seeds from the hull; also the petition of the said Charles Hateley, praying for encouragement in perfecting his machine for cleansing or whitening of rice, were severally read and ordered to lie. The petition of Cleland Kinloch, of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina, on behalf of his G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, October 27, 1791. The statement of the Enumeration referred to in the Message is as follows: Whole number of Persons within the several Districts of the United States, according to an Act “providing for the Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States," passed March 1, 1790. Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives : I have directed the Secretary of War to lay before you, for your examination, the reports of Brigadier General Scott, and Lieutenant-colonel Commandant Wilkinson, the officers who commanded the two expeditions against the Wabash Indians, in the months of June and August last; together with the instructions by virtue of which the said expeditions were undertaken. When the operations now depending shall be terminated, the reports relative thereto shall also be laid before you. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, October 27, 1791. The Message and papers therein referred to were read; and ordered to lie for consideration. Mr. BURR reported, from the committee appointed to prepare an Address to the President of the United States, in answer to his speech to both Houses of Congress at the opening of the session. Ordered, That to-morrow be assigned to take the report into consideration. FRIDAY, October 28. Agreeably to the order of the day, the Senate proceeded to take into consideration the Address reported by the committee in answer to the Speech of the President of the United States, on the 24th instant, to both Houses of Congress; which report was agreed to, as follows: To the President of the United States: SIR: The Senate of the United States have received with the highest satisfaction the assurances of public prosperity contained in your speech to both Houses. The multiplied blessings of Providence have not escaped our notice, or failed to excite our gratitude. [ОСТОВЕР, 1791. that for the general welfare; by the assurance of concert, and by a view of those arduous and important arrangements which have been already accomplished. zeal for the public good. The example will animate We observe, sir, the constancy and activity of your our efforts to promote the happiness of our country. Ordered, That the Address to the President of the United States, in answer to his Speech, be presented by the Vice President, attended by the Senate; and that the committee which reported the Address wait on the President of the United States, and desire to be informed at what time and place he will receive the same. Mr. BURR, from the committee appointed on the 28th to wait on the President of the United States, reported, that it would be agreeable to the President of the United States to receive the Address of the Senate, in answer to his speech to both Houses of Congress, on Monday next, at 12 o'clock. Whereupon the Senate waited on the President of the United States at his own house, and the VICE PRESIDENT, in their name, communicated to him the Address agreed to on the 28th instant, to which the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES was pleased to make the following reply: GENTLEMEN: This manifestation of your zeal for the honor and the happiness of our country derives its full value from the share which your deliberations have already had in promoting both. you view the part I have borne in the arduous trust I thank you for the favorable sentiments with which committed to the Government of the United States; and desire you to be assured that all my zeal will conwhich are insured by the spirit in which you are entertinue to second those further efforts for the public good The benefits which flow from the restoration of pub lic and private confidence are conspicuous and importing on the present session. ant; and the pleasure with which we contemplate them is heightened by your assurance of those further communications which shall confirm their existence and indicate their source. While we rejoice in the success of those military operations which have been directed against the hostile Indians, we lament with you the necessity that has produced them; and we participate the hope that the present prospect of a general peace, on terms of moderation and justice, may be wrought into complete and permanent effect; and that the measures of Government may equally embrace the security of our frontiers and the general interests of humanity. Our solicitude to obtain which, will insure our zealous attention to an object so warmly espoused by the principles of benevolence, and so highly interesting to the honor and welfare of the nation. The several subjects which you have particularly recommended, and those which remain of former sessions, will engage our early consideration. We are encouraged to prosecute them with alacrity and steadiness, by the belief that they will interest no passion but G. WASHINGTON. The Senate returned to the Senate Chamber. The representation of Joseph Ceracchi, a Roman sculptor, of the design conceived of a monument for perpetuating the memory of the American Revolution, was read; and ordered that it lie for consideration. Ordered, That Messrs. MORRIS, KING, IZARD, CABOT, and HENRY, be a committee to take into consideration the subject of a Mint, and to report a bill thereon, if they think proper. On motion to alter the Rule which provides for balloting in the choice of committees, and that the Vice President be empowered to nominate the committees in future; it was agreed that the motion be postponed. Ordered, That Messrs. STRONG, BUTLER, and BURR, be the committee to consider and report what business it is necessary for the Senate to proceed on. TUESDAY, November 1. The following Messages from the President of the of the House of Representatives: I send you, herewith, the arrangement which has been made by me, pursuant to the act, entitled "An act repealing, after the last day of June next, the duties heretofore laid upon distilled spirits imported from abroad, and laying others in their stead, and also upon spirits distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same," in respect to the subdivision of the several districts, created by the said act, into surveys of inspection, the appointment of officers for the same, and the assignment of compensations. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, November 1, 1791. The messages and papers were read; and the arrangement respecting the collection of the excise is as follows: Arrangements made by the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, with respect to the subdivisions of the several districts thereof into surveys, the appointment of officers, and the assignment of compensations, pursuant to the act of Congress, passed the third day of March, 1791, entitled “An act repealing, after the last day of June next, the duties heretofore laid upon distilled spirits imported from abroad, and laying others in their stead; and also upon spirits distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same." New Hampshire forms one survey of inspection. The duties of inspector are performed by the supervisor; to this office Joshua Wentworth has been appointed. His compensation is a salary of five hundred dollars, and a commission of one-half per cent. [SENATE. Vermont forms one survey, of which the supervisor performs the duties of inspector. Noah Smith has been four hundred dollars, and a commission of one-half per appointed to this office. His allowance is a salary of cent. New York forms one survey, of which the supervisor acts as inspector. William S. Smith has been appointed and a commission of one-half per cent. to this office, with a salary of eight hundred dollars, New Jersey forms one survey. The supervisor performs the duties of inspector. To this office, Aaron Dunham has been appointed. His compensation is a salary of four hundred dollars, and a commission of onehalf per cent. the city and county of Philadelphia, and the counties of Pennsylvania forms four surveys. No. 1, consists of Bucks and Montgomery; No. 2, of the counties of Berks, Northampton, Luzerne, and Northumberland; No. 3, of the counties of Delaware, Chester, Lancaster, York, Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Mifflin, and Huntingdon; No. 4, of the counties of Bedford. Westmoreland, Washington, and Allegany. The supervisor for the district, George Clymer, acts as inspector of survey No. 1. His compensation is a salary of one thousand dollars, and a commission of one-half per cent. James Collins has been appointed inspector of survey No. 2, Edward Hand of survey No. 3, and John Neville of survey No. 4. The allowance to each of these inspectors is a salary of four hundred and fifty dollars, and a commission of one per cent. Delaware forms one survey, of which the supervisor acts as inspector. His compensation is a salary of four hundred dollars, and a commission of one per cent. Henry Latimer, who was appointed supervisor, has resigned his office. Maryland forms two surveys. No. 1, comprehends the counties of St. Mary's, Somerset, Calvert, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Kent, Charles, Talbot, Dorchester, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Worcester, Hartford, Cecil, and Prince George's. No. 2, consists of the counties of Montgomery, Washington, Frederick, and Allegany. The supervisor of the district. George Gale, officiates as inspector of survey No. 1. His compensation is a salary of seven hundred dollars, and a commission of que per cent. Philip Thomas has been appointed inspector of survey No. 2, with a salary of four hundred and fifty dollars, and a commission of one per cent. Virginia has been divided into seven surveys of inspection. No. 1, consists of the counties of Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, King George, Caroline, Hanover, Henrico, Charles City, James City, Warwick, Elizabeth City, York, Gloucester, Matthews, Middlesex, Essex, King and Queen, King William, and New Kent; No. 2. of the counties of Stafford, Prince William, Fairfax, Loudon, Fauquier, Culpeper, Orange, Albemarle, Louisa, and Spotsylvania; No. 3, of the counties of Goochland, Fluvauna, Amherst, Bedford, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, Pittsylva Massachusetts forms three surveys of inspection. No. 1, consists of the province of Maine; No. 2, of the counties of Essex, Middlesex, Worcester, Hampshire, and Berkshire; No. 3, of the residue of the State. Nathaniel Gorham has been appointed supervisor; his compensation is a salary of eight hundred dollars, and a commission of one-half per cent. The supervisor performs the duties of inspector of survey No. 1. Jonathan Jackson has been appointed inspector of survey No. 2, and Leonard Jarvis for survey No. 3. The compensa-nia, Halifax, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Lunenburg, Nottion to each of these inspectors is a salary of five hun dred dollars, and a commission of one-half per cent. Rhode Island forms one survey. The duties of inspector are performed by the supervisor. John S. Dexter has been appointed to this office, with an allowance of a salary of five hundred dollars, and a commission of one-half per cent. Connecticut forms one survey. The duties of inspector are performed by the supervisor, who is John Chester. His compensation is a salary of six hundred dollars, and a commission of one-half per cent. toway, Amelia, Powhatan, Cumberland, Buckingham, Prince Edward, and Campbell; No. 4, of the counties of Princess Anne, Chesterfield, Norfolk, Isle of Wight, Sussex, Surry, Prince George, Dinwiddie, Brunswick, Greensville, Southampton, Nansemond, Accomack, and Northampton; No. 5, of Frederick, Berkley, Hampshire, Hardy, Monongalia, Ohio, Harrison, Randolph, Pendleton, Augusta, Rockingham, and Shenandoah; No. 6, of the counties of Rockbridge, Botetourt, Montgomery, Wythe, Washington, Russell, Greenbriar, and Kanhawa; No. 7, consists of the district of Kentucky. |
