SENATE.] Proceedings. Nothing in this act contained shall be construed to admit an obligation on the part of the United States to extinguish, for the benefit of any State or individual citizen, Indian claims to any lands lying within the territory of the United States;" It passed in the affirmative-yeas 16, nays 11, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Bingham, Chipman, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, Hillhouse, Howard, Langdon, Livermore, Lloyd, Paine, Read, Ross, Sedgwick, Stockton, and Tracy. NAYS-Messrs. Anderson, Bloodworth, Brown, Gunn, Hunter, Jackson, Marshall, Martin, Mason, Tattnall, and Tazewell. Ordered, That this bill pass to the third reading, as amended. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act granting the right of sending and receiving letters and packets by post, free of postage, to the Attorney General of the United States, and the officer commanding the troops of the United States," was read the first time, and ordered to the second reading. FRIDAY, February 16. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninetyeight, and for other purposes," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. Ross, HILLHOUSE, and GOODHUE, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. [FEBRUARY, 1798. MONDAY, February 19. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled, "An act for the relief of William Alexander," was read, and ordered to the second reading. Ordered, That the petition of Philip Wilson be referred to the Secretary for the Department of State, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee to whom was referred the bill regulating certain proceedings in cases of impeachment. On motion, by Mr. TAZEWELL, to amend the amendment reported to the third section, by inserting "and a jury shall be summoned for the trial thereof, in the manner and under the directions hereinafter prescribed," it passed in the negative-yeas 3, nays 26, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Jackson, Mason, and Tazewell. NAYS-Messrs. Anderson, Bingham, Bloodworth, Gunn, Hillhouse, Hobart, Howard, Hunter, Langdon, Brown, Chipman, Clayton, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, Livermore, Lloyd, Marshall, Martin, Paine, Read, Ross, Sedgwick, Stockton, Tattnall, and Tracy. TUESDAY, February 20. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act for the relief of William Alexander," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. Ross, TRACY, and CLAYTON, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act granting the right of sending and receiving letters and packets by post, free of postage, to the Attorney General of the United States, and the officer com- Mr. Ross laid before the Senate the petition of manding the troops of the United States," was Ralph Matson and others; also, the petition of read the second time, and referred to Messrs. Benjamin Reed, inhabitants of Vincennes, in the TAZEWELL, LIVERMORE, and LLOYD, to consider Territory northwest of the river Ohio, praying the subject of franking letters generally, and re-confirmation of certain grants of land therein menport thereon to the Senate. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act appropriating a certain sum of money to defray the expense of holding a treaty with the Indians claiming lands in the State of Tennessee or North Carolina," was read the third time. tioned; which petitions were severally read. Ordered, That they be severally referred to the committee appointed on the 12th instant, to whom was referred the petition of John Edgar and William Morrison, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee to whom was referred the bill regulating certain proceedings in cases of im On motion, it was agreed to amend the bill, to be read as follows: "An act appropriating a certain sum of money to defray the expense of hold-peachment. ing a treaty or treaties with the Indians." Resolved, That this bill pass with amendments. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of William Alexander;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee to whom was referred the bill regulating certain proceedings in cases of impeachment; and, after debate, the Senate adjourned. And having agreed to so much of the amendment reported by the committee as proposed to strike out the 4th section of the bill, and proceeding to the question for inserting, agreeably to the residue of the said amendment, the following words, to wit: "SEC. 4. After the word 'enacted,' in the first line, strike out the rest of the section, and insert that when the Senate shall have received an impeachment, a day shall be assigned for trial, and a fit person appointed by the Senate to execute its process when ordered. And it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Senate to make out a summons for the party impeached to appear on the day of trial; which summons shall contain a transcript of the impeachment, with its appendages, and which, being approved by the Senate, shall be signed by the President thereof; the Secretary shall also make out subpoenas for the witnesses whose attendance shall be required, which, being approved by the Senate, shall be signed by the President; those for witnesses against the party impeached shall be delivered to the managers, those for witnesses in favor of the impeached party to himself or agent when demanded; and all process from the Senate shall be executed by its own officers, or by the marshal of the district within which the execution is to be done, and in the manner specified in such process; which shall be by leaving a copy with the party subpoenaed, or at his or her last place of residence; which execution shall be shown in the return of the process: The Senate may, nevertheless, for cause to them appearing, order, by proclamation, the party impeached to appear on the day of trial, and after process executed, or proclamation made, should the party fail to appear, the Senate may notwithstanding proceed to trial and judgment:" It was determined in the negative-yeas 6, nays 18. as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bloodworth, Langdon, Marshall, Martin, and Mason. Gentlemen of the Senate and [SENATE. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : In obedience to the law of the United States of the 3d March, 1797, entitled "An act authorizing an expenditure, and making an appropriation, for the prosecution of the claims of certain citizens of the United States for property captured by the belligerent Powers," I submit to Congress the account exhibited to me by the Secretary of State, with his report of the 17th of this month. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, February 20, 1798. The Message and papers therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie on the table. The Senate proceeded to consider the motion made on the 15th instant by Mr. LIVERMORE. Whereupon, Ordered, That Messrs. LIVERMORE, Ross, and STOCKTON, be a committee to consider and report what measures ought to be adopted by the Senate, relative to the articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives against WILLIAM BLOUNT. WEDNESDAY, February 21. Mr. Ross, from the committee to whom was referred the bill sent from the House of RepreNAYS-Messrs. Bingham, Brown, Chipman, Clay-sentatives for concurrence, entitled "An act for ton, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, Gunn, Hillhouse, Hobart, Howard, Hunter, Livermore, Read, Ross, Sedgwick, Stockton, and Tracy. The Senate having agreed to so much of the amendment reported by the committee, as proposed to strike out the sixth section of the bill, and proceeding to the question for inserting, agreeably to the residue of the said amendment, the following words to wit: “SEC. 6. After the word 'enacted,' in the first line, strike out the rest of the section, and insert that, on the day fixed for trial of an impeachment, and before the same be taken up for hearing, the Secretary of the Senate shall administer to the President of the Senate, and to each Senator present, and afterwards to such others as shall come in, the following oath or affirmation, to wit: 'I, A B, do solemnly swear, (or affirm, as the case may be,) that, in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of C D, I will do impartial justice, according to law, and my best judgment.' The Senate shall then proceed on the trial according to such rules as they may have established for such occasion; but may adjourn the trial from time to time, for cause to them appearing. The party impeached, after trial, shall be acquitted or convicted; and, upon conviction, the Senate shall pronounce judgment according to law:" the relief of William Alexander," reported the bill without amendment; and the report was adopted. Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. The Senate proceeded to consider the motion made on the 14th instant, by Mr. READ, respecting the impeachment of a Senator of the United States. Whereupon On motion by Mr. SEDGWICK, Ordered, That the said motion be referred to the committee appointed on the 20th instant, to report the measures proper to be adopted relative to the articles of impeachment against WILLIAM BLOUNT, with instruction to take the same into consideration, and report their opinion as to any amendment thereof, (in point of form only,) and at what time it will be proper to consider the subject thereof. THURSDAY, February 22. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled An act for the relief of William Alexander," was read the third time and passed. informed the Senate that they agree to all the A message from the House of Representatives amendments of the Senate to the bill, entitled It was determined in the negative-yeas 7, nays" An act appropriating a certain sum of money to 18, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bloodworth, Brown, Foster, Langdon, Marshall, and Mason. NAYS-Messrs. Bingham, Chipman, Clayton, Goodhue, Greene, Gunn, Hillhouse, Howard, Hobart, Hunter, Latimer, Livermore, Martin, Read, Ross, Sedgwick, Stockton, and Tracy. On the question to agree to the third reading of the bill, it passed in the negative. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF the United STATES: defray the expense of holding a treaty with the Indians claiming lands in the State of Tennessee or North Carolina," with an amendment to their fifth amendment, in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The Senate took into consideration the amendment in the bill last mentioned, and resolved that they do concur therein. Ordered, That the consideration of the report of the committee to whom was referred the consideration of a deed of cession of the jurisdiction of a certain territory, from the State of Connecticut, be the order of the day for Monday next. Mr. LIVERMORE, from the committee to whom it was referred to report the proper measures to be adopted relative to the articles of impeachment against WILLIAM BLOUNT; and to whom was also referred the resolution relative to the impeachment of a Senator of the United States, reported in part; and the report was read, and ordered to lie for consideration. FRIDAY, February 23. Mr. Ross, from the committee to whom it was referred to inquire whether any, and what, territory, lying to the southward and westward of the State of Georgia belongs to the United States; and to whom was also referred the petition and remonstrance of the Legislature of the State of Georgia, reported a bill; which was read and ordered to a second reading. the committee appointed to consider the proper The Senate proceded to consider the report of measures to be adopted relative to the articles of impeachment against WILLIAM BLOUNT; and to whom was also referred the resolution relative to the impeachment of a Senator of the United States; which report was read and amended, and ordered to be recommitted. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : The enclosed memorial from the Commissioners appointed under an act of the United States, entitled "An act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States," representing the situation and circumstances of the city of Washington, I take this opportunity to present to both Houses of the Legislature, and recommend to their consideration. Alexander White, Esq., one of those Commissioners, is now in this city, and will be able to give to Congress, or any of their committees, any explanation or further information which the subject may require. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, February 23, 1798. The Message and memorial therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that they have passed a bill, entitled "An act to provide for the widows and orphans of certain deceased officers, in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The bill was read, and ordered to the second reading. Mr. TAZEWELL, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act granting the right of sending and receiving letters and packets by post, free of postage, to the Attorney General of the United States and the officer commanding the troops of the United States," reported that the bill pass without amendment. Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed. [FEBRUARY, 1798. MONDAY, February 26. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act to provide for the widows and orphans of certain deceased officers." was read the second time. Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. LIVERMORE, PAINE, and TRACY, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. The bill for an amicable settlement of limits with Georgia, and authorizing the establishment of a Government in the Mississippi Territory, was read the second time. Ordered, That the consideration of this bill be the order of the day for Wednesday next. The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for of sending and receiving letters and packets by concurrence, entitled "An act granting the right post. free of postage, to the Attorney General of the United States and the officer commanding the troops of the United States," and ordered that it of Executive business. pass to a third reading. The Senate then went into the consideration TUESDAY, February 27. The bill. sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act granting the right of sending and receiving letters and packets by post. free of postage, to the Attorney General of the United States and the officer commanding the troops of the United States," was read the third time; and, on the question of agreeing to its final it passage, was determined in the negative. Mr. BROWN, from the committee appointed on the 3d instant to consider the petition of Stephen Monot and others, inhabitants of Galliopolis, reported the following resolution: "Resolved, That the said petitioners, who, by unavoidable absence, or other cause, have been prevented from obtaining their proportion of the land appropriated for the relief of the inhabitants of Galliopolis, by act of Congress passed on the 3d March, 1795, be allowed each - acres of land, to be laid out in the territory northwest of the river Ohio, adjoining to the lands described and set apart in the said act." And the resolution was agreed to. Ordered, That it be referred to the committee who made the report, with instructions to bring in a bill accordingly. Mr. LIVERMORE, from the committee appointed to consider the proper measures to be adopted relative to the articles of impeachment againt William Blount; and to whom was also referred the resolution relative to the impeachment of a Senator of the United States, reported in part, and the report was read and amended; and, after debate, it was ordered that the further consideration thereof be postponed. WEDNESDAY, February 28. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that they have passed a bill, entitled "An act to repeal the act, entitled 'An act laying duties on stamped vellum, parchment, and paper;" and a bill entitled "An act for the erection of a light-house, and placing buoys at the several places therein mentioned;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The bill for an amicable settlement of limits with Georgia, and authorizing the establishment of a Government in the Mississippi Territory, was read the second time; and, after debate, it was ordered that the further consideration thereof be postponed. The bill last mentioned in the message of this day was read, and ordered to the second reading. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act to repeal the act, entitled 'An act laying duties on stamped vellum, parchment, and paper," was read; and, on the question to agree to the second reading of this bill, it passed in the negative. THURSDAY, March 1. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act for the erection of a light-house, and placing buoys at the several places therein mentioned," was read the second time. Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed on the 13th February last, to whom was referred the bill providing for the erection of a light-house on Eaton's Neck, in the State of New York, to consider and report thereon to the Se nate. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee appointed to prepare rules of proceeding in the case of the impeachment of WILLIAM BLOUNT; which, being amended, is as follows: "The committee to whom was recommitted the report of the committee appointed to prepare rules of proceeding in the case of the impeachment against William Blount, report, in part, that a writ of summons issue, directed to the said William Blount, in the form following: "United States of America, ss. "The Senate of the United States of America to William Blount, late a Senator of the United States for the State of Tennessee, greeting: Whereas the House of Representatives of the United States of America did, on the 7th day of July last past, in their own name, and in the name of all the people of the United States, impeach you, the said William Blount, of high crimes and misdemeanors before the Senate of the United States: And whereas the said House of Representatives did, on the 7th day of February, of the present year, exhibit to the Senate, their articles of impeachment against you, the said William Blount, charging you with high crimes and misdemeanors, therein specially set forth, (a true copy of which articles of impeachment is annexed to this writ,) and did demand that you, the said William Blount, should be put to answer the said crimes and misdemeanors; and that such proceedings, examinations, trials, and judgments, might be thereupon had, as are agreeable to law and justice-You, the said William Blount, are therefore summoned to be and appear before the Senate of the United States of America, at their Chamber, in the city of Philadelphia, in 5th CoN.-17 [SENATE. the State of Pennsylvania, on the third Monday of December next, at the hour of eleven of that day, then and there to answer the said articles of impeachment, and then and there to abide by, obey, and perform, such orders and judgments as the Senate of the United States shall make in the premises, according to the Constitution and laws of the said United States. And hereof you are in nowise to fail. Witness, the Honorable Thomas Jefferson, Esq., Vice President of the Unithereof, at the city of Philadelphia, the first day of March, ted States of America, and President of the Senate of the United States the twenty-second." in the year of our Lord 1798, and of the independence "Which summons shall be signed by the Secretary of the Senate. "That the said summons shall be served on the said William Blount by the Sergeant-at-Arms of this House, or a special messenger, who shall leave a true copy of the writ and the articles annexed with the said William Blount, if he can be found, showing him the original; or at the usual place of residence of the said William Blount, if he cannot be found. Which messenger shall make return of the writ of summons, and of his proceedings in virtue thereof, to the Senate, on the appearance-day therein mentioned. "And that a message be sent to the House of Representatives, giving information that the Senate have directed the said writ to be issued, and of the day mentoned therein for the appearance of the said William Blount." On motion to agree to the report of the committee, as amended, it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 22, nays 5, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Bingham, Brown, Chipman, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, Hillhouse, Hobart, Hunter, Langdon, Latimer, Livermore, Lloyd, Martin, Paine, Read, Ross, Sedgwick, Stockton, Tattnall, Tazewell, and Tracy. NAYS-Messrs. Anderson, Bloodworth, Jackson, Marshall, and Mason. So the report was adopted. Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate do issue the summons hereinbefore directed, and that service thereof be made sixty days at the least before the return day mentioned in the said writ of summons. Mr. LIVERMORE, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act to provide for the widows and orphans of certain deceased officers." reported the bill without amend ment. The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill for an amicable settlement of limits with Georgia, and authorizing the establishment of a Government in the Mississippi Territory. On motion, by Mr. TATTNALL, that the first clause of the third section of the bill, which now stands in these words: try bounded on the west by the Mississippi"— "Be it further enacted, That all that tract of coun Be amended to read as follows: "Be it further enacted, That, as soon as the consent of the State of Georgia shall be obtained, by cession or otherwise, all that tract of country bounded on the west by the Mississippi" SENATE.] Proceedings. [MARCH, 1798. It passed in the negative-yeas 8, nays 20, as and merchandise, included in this statement, are follows: estimated at about twenty-seven millions of dol YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bloodworth, Gunn, Jack-lars; and the letter was read. son, Langdon, Mason, Tattnall, and Tazewell. NAYS-Messrs. Bingham, Brown, Chipman, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, Hillhouse, Hobart, Hunter, Latimer, Livermore, Lloyd, Marshall, Martin, Paine, Read, Ross, Sedgwick, Stockton, and Tracy. FRIDAY, March 2. The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill for an amicable settlement of limits with Georgia, and authorizing the establishment of a Government in the Mississippi Territory; and, having agreed to sundry amendments, it was ordered that this bill pass to the third reading. The Senate proceeded to consider the report of the committee to whom was referred the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act to provide for the widows and orphans of certain deceased officers; and, after debate, it was ordered that this bill pass to a third reading. MONDAY, March 5. Ordered, That the letter, together with the return, be printed for the use of the Senate. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : The first despatches from our Envoys Extraordinary, since their arrival at Paris, were received at the Secretary of State's office at a late hour the last evening. They are all in a character which will require some days to be deciphered, except the last, which is dated the 8th of January, 1798. The contents of this letter are of so much importance to be immediately made known to Congress and to the public, especially to the thought it my duty to communicate them to both mercantile part of our fellow-citizens, that I have Houses without loss of time. JOHN ADAMS. UEITED STATES, March 5, 1798. The Message and paper therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. TUESDAY, March 6. Mr. GREENE, from the committee to whom was A message from the House of Representatives referred the bill, sent from the House of Repre- informed the Senate that the House have passed sentatives for concurrence, entitled "An act for a bill, entitled "An act providing the means of the erection of a light-house, and placing buoys at intercourse between the United States and foreign the several places therein mentioned," reported nations ;" in which they desire the concurrence of an amendment, which was read, and ordered to the Senate. lie for consideration. The bill for an amicable settlement of limits with Georgia, and authorizing the establishment of a Government in the Mississippi Territory, was read the third time; and, on the question to agree to the final passage of the bill, it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 20, nays 8, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Bingham, Bloodworth, Brown, Chipman, Clayton, Foster, Greene, Hobart, Hunter, Latimer, Laurance, Livermore, Lloyd, Marshall, Martin, Paine, Ross, Sedgwick, Tattnall, and Tracy. NAYS-Messrs. Anderson, Goodhue, Gunn, Hillhouse, Jackson, Langdon, Mason, and Tazewell. So it was Resolved, That this bill pass; that it be engrossed; and that the title thereof be "An act for an amicable settlement of limits with the State of Georgia, and authorizing the establishment of a Government in the Mississippi Territory." The bill was read, and ordered to the second reading. The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act to provide for the widows and orphans of certain deceased officers." On motion, by Mr. SEDGWICK, to expunge the words, "and of the militia," it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 16, nays 12, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bingham, Chipman, Clayton, Foster, Goodhue, Greene, Hillhouse, Hobart, Latimer, Livermore, Lloyd, Marshall, Paine, Sedgwick, and Tracy. NAYS-Messrs. Bloodworth, Brown, Gunn, Hunter, Jackson, Langdon, Laurance, Martin, Mason, Ross, Tattnall, and Tazewell. So it was Resolved, That this bill pass with an amendment. Mr. Ross, from the committee to whom was The bill, sent from the House of Representa- referred the petitions of Benjamin Reed and oth tives for concurrence, entitled "An act to pro-ers, inhabitants of Post Vincennes; also, the petivide for the widows and orphans of certain de- tion of J. Edgar and William Morrison, on behalf ceased officers," was read the third time. of the inhabitants of the Illinois, reported: Ordered, That the question on the final passage of this bill be postponed until to-morrow. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a letter from the Secretary for the Department of Treasury, transmitting a statement of goods, wares, and merchandise, exported from the United States during one year, prior to the 1st of October, 1797, prepared in pursuance of the resolution of the Senate, passed on the 5th of February, 1796; and noting that the foreign goods, wares, "That there being no correct statement of the measures taken in consequence of the resolutions and laws of Congress, confirming titles, and authorizing the grants of bounties, in lands, to certain settlers at Post Vincennes, and in the Illinois country, the committee have not been able to obtain sufficient information to guide them in reporting either for or against the petitions; but, in order that a fair and full explanation of these claims may be had, the committee recommend to the Senate the following resolution: |