PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES

OF

THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,

AT THE FIRST SESSION OF THE NINTH CONGRESS, BEGUN AT THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1805.

THOMAS SUMTER and JOHN GAILLARD, from elected the honorable SAMUEL SMITH President South Carolina.

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SENATE.

Proceedings.

DECEMBER, 1805.

dollars be allowed him weekly for that purpose during the session, and for twenty days after. Resolved, That two Chaplains, of different denominations, be appointed to Congress, for the present session, one by each House, who shall in-limits of time and space, give security even to our marterchange weekly.

Ordered, That the Secretary desire the concurrence of the House of Representatives in this resolution.

TUESDAY, December 3.

JOSEPH ANDERSON, from the State of Tennessee; BUCKNER THRUSTON, from the State of Ken-sails. Under every motive from character and duty to tucky; and ROBERT WRIGHT, from the State of Maryland, attended.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that a quorum of the House of Representatives is assembled, and have appointed NATHANIEL MACON, Esq., one of the Representatives for North Carolina, their Speaker, and are ready to proceed to business. The House of Representatives have appointed a committee on their part, jointly, with the committee appointed on the part of the Senate, to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled, and ready to receive any communications that he may be pleased to make to them. The House of Representatives agree to the resolution of the Senate for the appointment of two Chaplains.

Mr. SUMTER reported, from the committee appointed yesterday to wait on the President of the United States, that they had performed the service, and that the President of the United States informed the committee that he would make his communications to the two Houses at twelve o'clock this day.

The oath prescribed by law was administered to Mr. THRUSTON.

The following Message was received from the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
To the Senate and House of Representatives

of the United States of America:

municable in the country, either by persons under the disease, or by goods carried from diseased places; that its access is with the autumn, and it disappears with the early frosts. These restrictions, within narrow itime cities during three-fourths of the year, and to the country always. Although from these facts it appears unnecessary, yet to satisfy the fears of foreign nations, and cautions on their part, not to be complained of in a danger whose limits are yet unknown to them, I have strictly enjoined on the officers at the head of the customs to certify, with exact truth, for every vessel sailing for a foreign port, the state of health respecting this fever which prevails at the place from which she certify the truth, I have no doubt they have faithfully executed this injunction, Much real injury has, however, been sustained from a propensity to identify with this endemic, and to call by the same name, fevers of very different kinds, which have been known at all times and in all countries, and never have been placed among those deemed contagious. As we advance in our knowledge of this disease, as facts develop the source from which individuals receive it, the State authorities charged with the care of the public health, and Congress with that of the general commerce, will become able to regulate with effect their respective functions in these departments. The burden of quarantines is felt at home as well as abroad; their efficacy merits examination. Although the health laws of the States should be found to need no present revisal by Congress, yet commerce claims that their attention be ever awake to them.

Since our last meeting the aspect of our foreign

relations has considerably changed. Our coasts have been infested, and our harbors watched, by private armed vessels, some of them without commissions, some with illegal commissions, others with those of legal form, but committing piratical acts beyond the authority of their commissions. They have captured, in the very entrance of our harbors, as well as on the high seas, not only the vessels of our friends coming to trade with us, but our own also. They have carried them off under pretence of legal adjudication; but, not daring to approach a court of justice, they have plundered and sunk them by the way, or in At a moment when the nations of Europe are in obscure places, where no evidence could arise against commotion, and arming against each other, and when them; maltreated the crews, and abandoned them in those with whom we have principal intercourse are en- boats in the open sea, or on desert shores, without food gaged in the general contest, and when the coun- or covering. These enormities appearing to be untenance of some of them towards our peaceable reached by any control of their Sovereigns, I found it country threatens that even that may not be unaf- necessary to equip a force to cruise within our own fected by what is passing on the general theatre, a seas, to arrest all vessels of these descriptions found meeting of the Representatives of the nation in both hovering on our coasts, within the limits of the Gulf Houses of Congress has become more than usually de-Stream, and to bring the offenders in for trial as pisirable. Coming from every section of our country they bring with them the sentiments and the information of the whole, and will be enabled to give a direction to the public affairs, which the will and the wisdom of the whole will approve and support.

rates.

The same system of hovering on our coasts and harbors, under color of seeking enemies, has been also carried on by public armed ships, to the great annoyance and oppression of our commerce. New princiIn taking a view of the state of our country, we, in ples, too, have been interpolated into the law of nathe first place, notice the late affliction of two of our tions, founded neither in justice nor the usage or accities under the fatal fever which, in latter times, has knowledgment of nations. According to these, a beloccasionally visited our shores. Providence, in his ligerent takes to itself a commerce with its own goodness, gave it an early termination on this occasion, enemy which it denies to a neutral, on the ground of and lessened the number of victims which have usually its aiding that enemy in the war. But reason revolts fallen before it. In the course of the several visitations at such an inconsistency, and the neutral, having equal by this disease, it has appeared that it is strictly local, right with the belligerent to decide the question, the incident to cities and on the tide waters only, incom-interests of our constituents, and the duty of maintain

ing the authority of reason, the only umpire between just nations, impose on us the obligation of providing an effectual and determined opposition to a doctrine so injurious to the rights of peaceable nations. Indeed, the confidence we ought to have in the justice of others still countenances the hope that a sounder view of those rights will, of itself, induce from every belligerent a more correct observance of them.

SENATE.

An immediate prohibition of the exportation of ammunition is also submitted to your determination.

Turning from these unpleasant views of violence and wrong, I congratulate you on the liberation of our fellow-citizens who were stranded on the coast of In a Government Tripoli and made prisoners of war. bottomed on the will of all, the life and liberty of every individual citizen become interesting to all. In the treaty, therefore, which has concluded our warfare with that State, an article for the ransom of our citizens has

younger portions, unencumbered with the old and those having families. Upwards of three hundred thousand able bodied men, between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six years, which the last census shows we may now count within our limits, will furnish a competent number for offence or defence, in any point where they may be wanted, and will give time for raising regular forces after the necessity of them shall become certain; With Spain, our negotiations for a settlement of dif- and the reducing to the early period of life all its active ferences have not had a satisfactory issue. Spoliations service cannot but be desirable to our younger citizens, during a former war, for which she had formally of the present as well as future times, inasmuch as it acknowledged herself responsible, have been refused engages to them in more advanced age a quiet and to be compensated but on conditions affecting other undisturbed repose in the bosom of their families. I claims in nowise connected with them. Yet the same cannot, then, but earnestly recommend to your early practices are renewed in the present war, and are al- consideration the expediency of so modifying our militia ready of great amount. On the Mobile, our commerce system as, by a separation of the more active part from passing through that river continues to be obstructed that which is less so, we may draw from it, when neby arbitrary duties and vexatious searches. Proposi-cessary, an efficient corps, fit for real and active service, tions for adjusting amicably the boundaries of Louisi- and to be called to it in regular rotation. ana have not been acceded to. While, however, the Considerable provision has been made, under former right is unsettled, we have avoided changing the state authorities from Congress, of materials for the con of things by taking new posts, or strengthening our-struction of ships of war of seventy-four guns. These selves in the disputed territories, in the hope that the materials are on hand, subject to the further will of the other Power would not, by a contrary conduct, oblige Legislature. us to meet their example, and endanger conflicts of authority the issue of which may not be easily controlled. But in this hope we have now reason to lessen our confidence. Inroads have been recently made into the territories of Orleans and Mississippi, our citizens have been seized and their property plundered in the very parts of the former which had been actually delivered up by Spain, and this by the regular officers and soldiers of that Government. I have, therefore, found it necessary, at length, to give orders to our troops on that frontier to be in readiness to protect our citizens, and to repel by arms any similar aggressions in future. Other details, necessary for your full information of the state of things between this country and that, shall be the subject of another communication. In reviewing these injuries from some of the belligerent Powers, the moderation, the firmness, and the wisdom, of the Legislature will all be called into action. We ought still to hope that time and a more correct estimate of interest, as well as of character, will produce the justice we are bound to expect. But should any nation deceive itself by false calculations, and disappoint that expectation, we must join in the unprofitable contest of trying which party can do the other the most harm. Some of these injuries may, perhaps, admit a peaceable remedy. Where that is competent it is always the most desirable. But some of them are of a nature to be met by force only, and all of them may lead to it. I cannot, therefore, but recommend such preparations as circumstances call for. The first object is to place our seaport towns out of the danger of insult. Measures have already been taken for furnishing them with heavy cannon for the service of such land batteries as may make a part of their defence against armed vessels approaching them. In aid of these, it is desirable we should have a competent number of gunboats, and the number to be competent must be considerable. If immediately begun, they may be in readiness for service at the opening of the next season. Whether it will be necessary to augment our land forces will be decided by occurrences probably in the course of your session. In the mean time, you will consider whether it would not be expedient, for a state of peace as well as of war, so to organize or class the militia as would enable us, on any sudden emergency, to call for the services of the

been agreed to. An operation by land, by a small band of our countrymen, and others engaged for the occasion, in conjunction with the troops of the exbashaw of that country, gallantly conducted by our late Consul Eaton, and their successful enterprise on the city of Derne, contributed, doubtless, to the impression which produced peace; and the conclusion of this, prevented opportunities of which the officers and men of our squadron, destined for Tripoli, would have availed themselves to emulate the acts of valor exhibited by their brethren in the attack of the last year. Reflecting with high satisfaction on the distinguished bravery displayed, whenever occasions permitted, in the late Mediterranean service, I think it would be an useful encouragement as well as a just reward, to make an opening for some present promotion, by enlarging our peace establishment of captains and lieutenants.

With Tunis some misunderstandings have arisen, not yet sufficiently explained, but friendly discussions with their Ambassador, recently arrived, and a mutual disposition to do whatever is just and reasonable, cannot fail of dissipating these. So that we may consider our peace on that coast, generally, to be on as sound a footing as it has been at any preceding time. Still it will not be expedient to withdraw, immediately, the whole of our force from that sea.

The law providing for a Naval Peace Establishment fixes the number of frigates which shall be kept in constant service in time of peace, and prescribes that they shall be manned by not more than two-thirds of their complement of seamen and ordinary seamen. Whether a frigate may be trusted to two-thirds only of her proper complement of men, must depend on the nature of the service on which she is ordered. That may sometimes for her safety, as well as to insure her

SENATE.

Proceedings.

DECEMBER, 1805.

object, require her fullest complement. In adverting | claims of our citizens, assumed by the convention with to this subject, Congress will, perhaps, consider whether the best limitation on the Executive discretion in this case, would not be by the number of seamen which may be employed in the whole service, rather than by the number of vessels. Occasions oftener arise for the employment of small than of large vessels, and it would lessen risk as well as expense, to be authorized to employ them of preference. The limitation suggested by the number of seamen would admit a selection of vessels best adapted to the service.

Our Indian neighbors are advancing, many of them, with spirit, and others beginning to engage in the pursuits of agriculture and household manufacture. They are becoming sensible that the earth yields subsistence with less labor and more certainty, than the forest, and find it their interest, from time to time, to dispose of parts of their surplus and waste lands for the means of improving those they occupy, and of subsisting their families while they are preparing their farms. Since your last session, the northern tribes have sold to us the lands between the Connecticut Reserve and the former Indian boundary, and those on the Ohio, from the same boundary to the Rapids, and for a considerable depth inland. The Chickasaws and Cherokees have sold us the country between and adjacent to the two districts of Tennessec, and the Creeks the residue of their lands in the fork of Ocmulgee, up to the Ulcofauhatche. The three former purchases are important, inasmuch as they consolidate disjoined parts of our settled country, and render their intercourse secure; and the second particularly so, as, with the small point on the river, which we expect is by this time ceded by the Piankeshaws, it completes our possession of the whole of both banks of the Ohio, from its source to near its mouth, and the navigation of that river is thereby rendered forever safe to our citizens settled and settling on its extensive waters. The purchase from the Creeks too has been for some time particularly interesting to the State of Georgia.

France. We have not, however, made use of this authority; because, the sum of four millions and an half, which remained in the Treasury on the same 30th day of September last, with the receipts which we may calculate on for the ensuing year, besides paying the annual sum of eight millions of dollars, appropriated to the funded debt, and meeting all the current demands which may be expected, will enable us to pay the whole sum of three millions seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, assumed by the French convention, and still leave us a surplus of nearly a million of dollars at our free disposal. Should you concur in the provisions of arms and armed vessels, recommended by the circumstances of the times, this surplus will furnish the means of doing so.

On the first occasion of addressing Congress, since, by the choice of my constituents, I have entered on a second term of administration, I embrace the opportunity to give this public assurance, that I will exert my best endeavors to administer faithfully the Executive Department, and will zealously co-operate with you in every measure which may tend to secure the liberty, property, and personal safety, of our fellow-citizens, and to consolidate the republican forms and principles of our Government.

In the course of your session, you shall receive all the aid which I can give, for the despatch of public business, and all the information necessary for your deliberations, of which the interests of our own country, and the confidence reposed in us by others, will admit TH. JEFFERSON.

a communication.

DECEMBER 3, 1805.

The Message was read and three hundred copies thereof ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.

WEDNESDAY, December 4.

On motion that it be

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to exam

The several treaties which have been mentioned will be submitted to both Houses of Congress for the exer-ine the act, entitled "An act, to enable the people of cise of their respective functions.

the eastern division of the Territory Northwest of the Deputations, now on their way to the seat of Gov- river Ohio, to form a constitution and State governernment, from various nations of Indians inhabiting ment, and for the admission of such State into the the Missouri and other parts beyond the Mississippi, come Union, on an equal footing with the original States, charged with assurances of their satisfaction with the new and for other purposes;" and that they have leave to relations in which they are placed with us, of their dispo-report, by bill or otherwise, the manner, in their opinsitions to cultivate our peace and friendship, and their de-ion, the money appropriated by the said act, ought to sire to enter into commercial intercourse with us. A state be applied: of our progress in exploring the principal rivers of that country, and of the information respecting them hith-ation. erto obtained, will be communicated so soon as we shall receive some further relations which we have reason shortly to expect.

The recepts at the Treasury during the year ending on the 30th day of September last, have exceeded the sum of thirteen millions of dollars, which, with not quite five millions in the Treasury at the beginning of the year, have enabled us, after meeting other demands, to pay nearly two millions of the debt contracted under the British treaty and convention, upwards of four millions of principal of the public debt, and four millions of interest. These payments, with those which had been made in three years and an half preceding, have extinguished of the funded debt nearly eighteen millions of principal.

Congress, by their act of November 10, 1803, authorized us to borrow $1,750,000, towards meeting the

It was agreed that this motion lie for consider

informed the Senate that the House have passed A message from the House of Representatives a bill, entitled "An act making an additional appropriation for the Naval service, during the which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. year one thousand eight hundred and five,” in The bill was read and ordered to the second reading.

The Senate proceeded to the election of a Chaplain, on their part, in pursuance of the resolution of the two Houses, and the ballots being collected, were, for Doctor GANTT, 15; Bishop CLAGGETT, 5; Mr. McCORMICK, 2. So the Reverend Doctor GANTT was elected a Chaplain to Congress. on the part of the Senate, during the present session.