APRIL, 1789.]

Proceedings.

[SENATE.

presentatives, and the other public characters pre-ernment, the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent, the oath was administered. After which, the Chancellor proclaimed, "Long live George Washington, President of the United States!" The PRESIDENT, having returned to his seat, after a short pause arose, and addressed the Se-past seems to presage. These reflections, arising out nate and House of Representatives as follows: Fellow-citizens of the Senate, and

sent of so many distinct communities from which the event has resulted, cannot be compared with the means by which most Governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the

of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with I trust, in thinking, that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free Government can more auspiciously commence.

me,

of the House of Representatives: Among the vicissitudes incident to life, no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your By the article establishing the Executive departorder, and received on the 14th day of the present ment, it is made the duty of the President "to recommonth. On the one hand, I was summoned by my mend to your consideration such measures as he shall country, whose voice I can never hear but with venera-judge necessary and expedient." The circumstances tion and love, from a retreat which I had chosen with under which I now meet you will acquit me from enterthe fondest predilection, and, in my flattering hopes, ing into that subject, further than to refer to the great with an immutable decision, as the asylum of my de- Constitutional charter under which you are assembled, clining years; a retreat which was rendered every day and which, in defining your powers, designates the more necessary, as well as more dear to me, by the objects to which your attention is to be given. It will addition of habit to inclination, and of frequent inter- be more consistent with those circumstances, and far more congenial with the feelings which actuate me, to ruptions in my health, to the gradual waste committed on it by time. On the other hand, the magnitude substitute, in place of a recommendation of particular and difficulty of the trust to which the voice of my measures, the tribute that is due to the talents, the country called me, being sufficient to awaken in the rectitude, and the patriotism, which adorn the charwisest and most experienced of her citizens a distrust-acters selected to devise and adopt them. In these honorable qualifications, I behold the surest pledges, ful scrutiny into his qualifications, could not but overwhelm with despondence one, who, inheriting inferior that, as on one side no local prejudices or attachments, endowments from nature, and unpractised in the duties no separate views, nor party animosities, will misdirect of civil administration, ought to be peculiarly conscious the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch of his own deficiencies. In this conflict of emotions, over this great assemblage of communities and interests; so, on another, that the foundations of our all I dare aver is, that it has been my faithful study to collect my duty from a just appreciation of every cir-national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable cumstance by which it might be effected. All I dare principles of private morality, and the pre-eminence of hope is, that if, in executing this task, I have been too free Government be exemplified by all the attributes much swayed by a grateful remembrance of former which can win the affections of its citizens, and cominstances, or by an affectionate sensibility to this tran-mand the respect of the world. I dwell on this prosscendant proof of the confidence of my fellow-citizens, and have thence too little consulted my incapacity as well as disinclination for the weighty and untried cares before me, my error will be palliated by the motives which misled me, and its consequences be judged by my country, with some share of the partiality in which they originated.

pect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my country can inspire: since there is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists, in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of Such being the impressions under which I have, in public prosperity and felicity: since we ought to be no obedience to the public summons, repaired to the pre-less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven sent station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself Almighty Being who rules over the universe-who has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred presides in the councils of nations—and whose provi-fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model dential aids can supply every human defect-that his of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perbenediction may consecrate to the liberties and happi-haps as finally, staked, on the experiment entrusted to ness of the people of the United States, a Government the hands of the American pepole. Besides the ordinary objects submitted to your care, instituted by themselves, for these essential purposes: and may enable every instrument employed in its it will remain with your judgment to decide how far administration to execute with success the functions an exercise of the occasional power delegated by the allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to fifth article of the Constitution, is rendered expedient the Great Author of every public and private good, I at the present juncture, by the nature of objections assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not which have been urged against the system, or by the less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at degree of inquietude which has given birth to them. large less than either. No people can be bound to Instead of undertaking particular recommendations on acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which con- this subject, in which I could be guided by no lights ducts the affairs of men more than the people of the derived from official opportunities, I shall again give United States. Every step by which they have ad- way to my entire confidence in your discernment and vanced to the character of an independent nation, pursuit of the public good: for, I assure myself, that seems to have been distinguished by some token of whilst you carefully avoid every alteration which might providential agency; and in the important revolution endanger the benefits of a united and effective Governjust accomplished in the system of their united Gov-ment, or which ought to await the future lessons of

Proceedings.

experience; a reverence for the characteristic rights of freemen, and a regard for the public harmony, will sufficiently influence your deliberations on the question, how far the former can be more impregnably fortified, or the latter be safely and advantageously pro-to the President of the Senate," was committed

MAY, 1789.]

Proceedings.

In the last paragraph, strike out the words "of the United States of America," in the third and fourth lines, and insert the same words in the fourth line next after the words" as the case may be ;" and which, being accepted, Tuesday morning, 11 o'clock, was assigned for the third reading of the bill.

TUESDAY, May 5.

The bill to regulate the time and manner of administering certain oaths was read the third time, and passed with amendments.

Ordered, That the Secretary carry the aforementioned bill to the House of Representatives, together with the amendments, and address the Speaker in the words following:

"SIR: The Senate have passed the bill entitled 'An act to regulate the time and manner of administering certain oaths,' with amendments, to which they desire the concurrence of your House."

Ordered, That when a bill has passed the Senate the Secretary shall endorse the final determination thereon, and the day when such final question was taken, previous to its being transmitted to the House of Representatives. Adjourned to Thursday morning.

THURSDAY, May 7.

[SENATE.

frage of the elective body in your favor, is peculiarly
expressive of the gratitude, confidence, and affection
of the citizens of America, and is the highest testimo-
We are
nial at once of your merit and their esteem.
sensible, sir, that nothing but the voice of your fellow-
citizens could have called you from a retreat chosen
with the fondest predilection, endeared by habit, and
We re-
consecrated to the repose of declining years.
joice, and with us all America, that, in obedience to the
call of our common country, you have returned once
more to public life. In you all parties confide; in you
all interests unite; and we have no doubt that your
past services, great as they have been, will be equalled
by your future exertions; and that your prudence and
sagacity as a statesman will tend to avert the dangers to
which we are exposed, to give stability to the present
Government, and dignity and splendor to that country
which your skill and valor as a soldier so eminently
contributed to raise to independence and empire.

When we contemplate the coincidence of circumstances, and wonderful combination of causes, which gradually prepared the people of this country for independence; when we contemplate the rise, progress, and termination of the late war, which gave them a name among the nations of the earth; we are, with you, unavoidably led to acknowledge and adore the great Arbiter of the universe, by whom empires rise and fall. A review of the many signal instances of divine interposition in favor of this country claims our most pious gratitude; and permit us, sir, to observe that, among the great events which have led to the formation and establishment of a Federal Government, we esteem your acceptance of the office of President as one of the most propitious and important.

The committee appointed to confer with such committee as might be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to report what style or titles it will be proper to annex to the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, if any other than those given in the Constitution, reported. Which report was ordered to lie for considera-scious that the prosperity of each State is inseparably tion.

The report of the committee upon the motion committed May 1st was considered, and the first paragraph thereof accepted; whereupon,

Ordered, That, when a messenger shall come from the House of Representatives to the Senate, and shall be announced by the door-keeper, the messenger or messengers being a member or members of the House, shall be received within the bar, the President rising when the message is by one member, and the Senate also when it is by two or more; if the messenger be not a member of the House, he shall be received at the bar by the Secretary, and the bill or papers that he may bring shall there be received from him by the Secretary, and be by him delivered to the President.

The committee appointed to prepare an answer to the President's Speech, delivered to the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, reported as follows:

SIR: We, the Senate of the United States, return you our sincere thanks for your excellent Speech delivered to both houses of Congress; congratulate you on the complete organization of the Federal Government; and felicitate ourselves and our fellow-citizens on your elevation to the office of President-an office highly important by the powers constitutionally annexed to it, and extremely honorable from the manner in which the appointment is made. The unanimous suf

In the execution of the trust reposed in us, we shall endeavor to pursue that enlarged and liberal policy to which your Speech so happily directs. We are con

connected with the welfare of all, and that, in promoting the latter, we shall effectually advance the former. In full persuasion of this truth, it shall be our invariable aim to divest ourselves of local prejudices and attachments, and to view the great assemblage of communities and interests committed to our charge with an equal eye. We feel, sir, the force, and acknowledge the justness of the observation, that the foundation of our national policy should be laid in private morality. If individuals be not influenced by moral principles, it is in vain to look for public virtue; it is, therefore, the duty of legislators to enforce, both by precept and example, the utility, as well as the necessity, of a strict adherence to the rules of distributive justice. We beg you to be assured that the Senate will, at all times, cheerfully co-operate in every measure which may strengthen the Union, conduce to the happiness, or secure and perpetuate the liberties of this great confederated Republic.

We commend you, sir, to the protection of Almighty God, earnestly beseeching him long to preserve a life so valuable and dear to the people of the United States; and that your administration may be prosperous to the nation, and glorious to yourself.

SENATE.]

Proceedings.

[MAY, 1789.

The Secretary was charged with a message to the House of Representatives, with the order of Senate passed the 7th instant, on the mode adopted by the Senate in receiving communications from that House.

Ordered, That Mr. LEE. Mr. ELLSWORTH, and Mr. JOHNSON, be a committee to confer with any committee to be appointed by the House of Representatives, on the difference of opinion now subsisting between the two Houses, respecting the title of the President of the United States; and, on motion for reconsideration, the instruction to the committee was agreed to, as follows:

amendments proposed in a bill to regulate the time and manner of administering certain oaths;" and "that the House proposed an amendment to the third amendment by inserting after the words Legislatures in the first place,' the words 'at the next session of the said Legislatures respectively."" He also brought the Senate a resolve of the House of Representatives, appointing Mr. BLAND, Mr. TRUMBULL, and Mr. VINING, a committee on the part of the House, to confer with any committee to be appointed on the part of the Senate, and report "joint rules to be established between the two Houses, for the enrolment, &c. of the acts of Congress, and to confer on the mode of presenting addresses, bills, &c. to the President." The Senate agreed to the amendment proposed by the House of Representatives to the amendment of the afore-mentioned bill; and appointed Mr. LANGDON, Mr. READ, and Mr. HENRY, a comThe Secretary carried to the House of Repremittee on their part, for the purpose expressed in sentatives the appointment of a committee, on the resolve of the House of Representatives, re- the part of the Senate, to view the rooms in the ceived this day; which, together with the con- City Hall, and to confer upon their appropriation; currence of the Senate to the amendment on the The rejection of the report of the committee amendment to the bill above mentioned, was car-appointed to consider what style, &c. it will be ried to the House by the Secretary.

FRIDAY, May 8.

The report of the committee appointed to determine "What style or title it will be proper to annex to the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, if any other than those given in the Constitution;" and to confer with a committee of the House of Representatives appointed for the same purpose, was considered, and disagreed to.

The question was taken, "Whether the President of the United States shall be addressed by the title of His Excellency?" and it passed in the negative.

"That they consider and report under what title it will be proper for the President of the United States in future to be addressed, and confer thereon with such committee as the House of Representatives may appoint for that purpose."

proper to annex to the offices of President and of Vice President;

And the appointment of a committee on the part of the Senate to confer on a title under which United States. it will be proper to address the President of the

MONDAY, May 11.

Ordered, That the consideration of the report of the committee upon "the title by which it will be proper for the Senate to address the President," be postponed until Tuesday next.

Ordered, That a committee, to consist of Mr. ELLSWORTH, Mr. CARROLL, and Mr. FEw, be apOn motion that a committee of three be appointed, to consider and report a mode of carrying pointed to consider and report under what title it will be proper for the Senate to address the President of the United States, Mr. LEE, Mr. ELLSWORTH, and Mr. JOHNSON, were elected.

SATURDAY, May 9.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that they had accepted the report of the committee appointed to consider what style or title it will be proper to annex to the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, if any other than those given in the Constitution.

Ordered, That Mr. Few, Mr. MACLAY, and Mr. STRONG, be a committee to view the apartments in the City Hall, and to confer with any committee that may be appointed by the House of Representatives for that purpose, and report how the same shall be appropriated.

The committee appointed to consider under what title it will be proper for the Senate to address the President of the United States, reported; the consideration of which was postponed until Monday next.

into execution the second paragraph of the third section of the first article of the Constitution.

The committee appointed the 13th of April to confer with a committee of the House of Representatives, upon the future disposition of the papers in the office of the late Secretary of Congress, made a report, which was ordered to lie until a committee, appointed May 7, to confer with a committee of the House "on joint rules to be established for the enrolment, &c., of the acts of Congress," should report.

confer with any committee that the Senate shall appoint on the disagreeing votes of the Senate and House of Representatives upon the report of their joint committee, appointed to consider what titles shall be given to the President and to the Vice President of the United States, if any other than those given in the Constitution.

Ordered, That the committee appointed the 9th of May, to consider "by what title it will be proper for the Senate to address the President of the United States, be instructed to confer with the committee of the House of Representatives, agreeably to the proposition in their message of this day.

A motion for the committee, appointed to address the President, to proceed, was postponed to Thursday next.

WEDNESDAY, May 13.

The committee appointed the 11th instant, on the mode of carrying into execution the second paragraph of the third section of the first article of the Constitution, reported: and the report was ordered to lie for consideration.

Ordered, That Mr. LANGDON, Mr. STRONG, and Mr. CARROLL, be a committee, to confer with any committee that may be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, and report what newspapers the members of the Senate and House of Representatives shall be furnished with at the public expense.

A committee, consisting of Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. READ, Mr. LANGDON, Mr. MORRIS, Mr. DALTON, Mr. ELMER, Mr. HENRY, and Mr. GUNN, was appointed to report a bill, defining the crimes and offences that shall be cognizable under the authority of the United States, and their punish

ment.

THURSDAY, May 14.

The petition of Archibald M'Lean, to be employed as a printer to the Senate and House of Representatives, was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

[SENATE.

Which report was postponed; and the following resolve was agreed to, to wit:

"From a decent respect for the opinion and practice of civilized nations, whether under monarchical or republican forms of Government, whose custom is to annex titles of respectability to the office of their Chief Magistrate; and that, on intercourse with foreign nations, a due respect for the majesty of the people of the United States may not be hazarded by any appearance of singularity, the Senate have been induced to be of opinion, that it would be proper to annex a respectable title to the office of President of the United States; but, the Senate, desirous of preserving harmony with the House of Representatives, where the practice lately observed in presenting an address to the President was without the addition of titles, think it proper, for the present, to act in conformity with the practice of that House: therefore,

"Resolved, That the present address be To the President of the United States,' without addition of title."

A motion was made to strike out the preamble as far as the words "but the Senate;" which passed in the negative.

And, on motion for the main question, it passed in the affirmative.

The committee appointed to consider and report a mode of carrying into effect the provision in the second clause of the third section of the first article of the Constitution, reported: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the Senators be divided into three classes:

Mr. Morris, Mr. Henry, Mr. Izard, and Mr. Gunn;
The first to consist of Mr. Langdon, Mr. Johnson,
The second of Mr. Wingate, Mr. Strong, Mr. Pater-
son, Mr. Bassett, Mr. Lee, Mr. Butler, and Mr. Few;
And the third of Mr. Dalton, Mr. Ellsworth, Mr.
Elmer, Mr. Maclay, Mr. Read, Mr. Carroll, and Mr.
Grayson.

That three papers of an equal size, numbered 1, 2,
and 3, be, by the Secretary, rolled up and put into a
box, and drawn by Mr. Langdon, Mr. Wingate, and
Mr. Dalton, in behalf of the respective classes, in which
each of them are placed; and that the classes shall va-
numbers drawn for them, beginning with No. 1.
cate their seats in the Senate, according to the order of

The Secretary carried to the House of Representatives the order of Senate, passed yesterday, And that, when Senators shall take their seats from appointing a committee to report "what newspa-States that have not yet appointed Senators, they shall pers the members of Congress shall be furnished be placed by lot in the foregoing classes, but in such with at the public expense." manner as shall keep the classes as nearly equal as may be in numbers.

The committee, appointed the 9th instant, to determine "under what title it will be proper for the Senate to address the President," and to con-mittee of the House of Representatives, in preparThe committee appointed to confer with a comfer with a committee of the House of Represen- ing proper rules to be established for the enroltatives "upon the disagreeing votes of the Senate and House," informed the Senate that they had ment, &c., of the acts of Congress, reported; conferred with a committee of the House of Repwhich report was ordered to lie for consideration. resentatives, but could not agree upon a report. The committee, appointed the 9th instant, "to consider and report under what title it will be proper for the Senate to address the President of the United States of America," reported:

"That, in the opinion of the committee, it will be proper thus to address the President: His Highness, the President of the United States of America, and Protector of their Liberties."

Ordered, That the committee appointed to draught an answer to the President's Speech, wait on him, and request him to appoint the time when it will be agreeable to receive the Address of the Senate, at his own house.

FRIDAY, May 15.

The committee appointed to draught an answer