FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10.

Several other members, to wit: from Massachusetts, George Partridge; from Connecticut, Jonathan Trumbull, and Jeremiah Wadsworth; from New Jersey, Thomas Sinnickson; and from Maryland, William Smith; appeared and took their seats.

The House, according to the order of the, day poceeded by ballot to the appointment of a Chaplain to Congress, on the part of this House; and upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes of the whole House was found in favor of the Reverend Mr. Blair. Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills for determining, agreeable to the provision in the first section of the second article of the Constitution, the time when the electors shall, in the year which will terminate on the third of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, and so in every fourth year thereafter, be chosen, and the day on which they shall give their votes for declaring what officer shall, in case of vacancy both in the office of President and Vice President, act as President; for assigning a public office, where the lists mentioned in the second paragraph of the first section of the second article of the Constitution, shall, in case of vacancy in the office of the President of the Senate, or his absence from the seat of Government, be in the mean time deposited; and for directing the mode in which such lists shall be transmitted; and that Mr. Benson, Mr. Hantington, Mr. Heister, Mr. Moore, and Mr. Partridge, be of the said committee.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills more effectually to provide for the natitionl defence, by establishing an uniform militia throughout the United States; and that Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Peter Muhlenberg, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Floyd, Mr. Grout, Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Smith, of Maryland, Mr. Bloodworth, Mr. Giles, Mr. Smith, of South Carolina, and Mr. Mathews, be of the said committee. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary:

Mr. Speaker: I am directed to bring to this House a letter from Monsieur Benier, President of the Commonalty of Paris, addressed to the President and Members of Congress of the United States, with twenty-six copies of a civic eulogium on Benjamin Franklin, pronounced the twenty-first of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, in the name of the Commonalty of Paris, by Monsieur the Abbe Pauchet, which were brought to the Senate by Mr. Lear, the Secretary of the President of the United States. And he delivered in the same, and then withdrew.

Mr. Madison, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, an address to the President of the United States, in answer to his speech to both Houses of Congress; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Commissioners of the City and County of Philadelphia, stating that they had fitted up, and made an appropriation of, their County Court House, for the accommodation of Congress; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the address to the President of the United States, in answer to his speech to both Houses of Congress; and, after some time spent therein,

Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Livermore reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said address under consideration, and made no amendment thereto.

Resolved, unanimously, That this House doth agree to the said address, in the words following:

SIR: The Representatives of the People of the United States have taken into consideration your address to the two Houses at the opening of the present session of Congress.

We share in the satisfaction inspired by the prospects which continue to be so auspicious to our public affairs. The blessings resulting from the smiles of Heaven on our agriculture; the rise of public credit, with the further advantages promised by it; and the fertility of resources which are found so little burdensome to the community; fully authorize our mutual congratulations on the present occasion. Nor can we learn without an additional gratification, that the energy of the laws for providing adequate revenues, have been so honorably seconded by those classes of citizens whose patriotism and probity were more immediately concerned.

The success of the loan opened in Holland, under the disadvantages of the present moment, is the more important, as it not only denotes the confidence already placed in

the United States, but as the effect of a judicious application of that aid will still further illustrate the solidity of the foundation on which the public credit rests.

The preparatory steps taken by the State of Virginia, in concert with the District of Kentucky, towards the erection of the latter into a distinct member of the Union, exhibit a liberality mutually honorable to the parties. We shall bestow on this important subject the favorable consideration which it merits; and with the national policy which ought to govern our decision, shall not fail to mingle the affectionate sentiments which are awakened by those expressed on behalf of our fellow citizens of Kentucky.

Whilst we regret the necessity which has produced offensive hostilities against some of the Indian tribes Northwest of the Ohio, we sympathise too much with our Western brethren, not to behold with approbation the watchfulness and vigor which have been exerted by the Executive authority for their protection; and which we trust will make the aggressors sensible that it is their interest to merit, by a peaceable behavior, the friendship and humanity which the United States are always ready to extend to them. The encouragement of our own navigation has at all times appeared to us highly important. The point of view under which you have recommended it to us, is strongly enforced by the actual state of things in Europe. It will be incumbent on us to consider in what mode our commerce and agriculture can be best relieved from an injurious dependence on the navigation of other nations, which the frequency of their wars renders a too precarious resource for conveying the productions of our country to

market.

The present state of our trade to the Mediterranean seems not less to demand, and will accordingly receive, the attention which you have recommended.

Having already concurred in establishing a Judiciary System, which opens the doors of justice to all, without distinction of persons, it will be our disposition to incorporate every improvement which experience may suggest. And we shall consider in particular how far the uniformity, which, in other cases, is found convenient in the administration of the General Government through all the States, may be introduced into the forms and rules of executing sentences issuing from the Federal Courts.

The proper regulation of the jurisdiction and functions which may be exercised by Consuls of the United States in foreign countries, with the provisions stipulated to those of his Most Christian Majesty established here, are subjects of too much consequence to the public interest and honor not to partake of our deliberations.

We shall renew our attention to the establishment of the Militia, and the other subjects unfinished at the last session, and shall proceed in them with all the despatch which the magnitude of all, and the difficulty of some of them, will allow.

Nothing has given us more satisfaction than to find that the revenues heretofore established have proved adequate to the purposes to which they were allotted. In extending the provision to the residuary objects, it will be equally our care to secure sufficiency and punctuality in the payments due from the Treasury of the United States. We shall, also, never lose sight of the policy of diminishing the public debt as fast as the increase of the public resources will permit; and are particularly sensible of the many considerations which press a resort to the auxiliary resource furnished by the public linds.

In pursuing every branch of the weighty business of the present session, it will be our constant study to direct our deliberations to the public welfare. Whatever our success may be, we can at least answer for the fervent love of our country, which ought to animate our endeavors. In your co-operation we are sure of a resource, which fortifies our hopes that the fruits of the established Government will justify the confidence which has been placed in it, and recommend it more and more to the affection and attachment of our fellow citizens.

Resolved, That Mr. Speaker, attended by the House, do present the said address; and that Mr. Madison, Mr. Ames, and Mr. Tucker, be a committee to wait on the President, to know when and where it will be convenient for him to receive the same.

Ordered, That Mr. Williamson and Mr. Sherman be added to the committee appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills to amend the act, entitled "An act to promote the progress of useful arts."

Mr. Madison, from the committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, to know when and where it will be convenient for him to receive the address of this House, in answer to his speech to both Houses of Congress, reported

That the committee had, according to order, waited on the President, who signified to them that it would be convenient to him to receive the said address at two o'clock on Monday next at his own house.

And then the House adjourned until Monday morning eleven o'clock.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13.

Several other members, to wit: from Massachusetts, George Leonard; from Delaware, John Vining; from Virginia, Josiah Parker; from North Carolina, John Baptist Ashe; and from South Carolina, Edanus Burke; appeared and took their seats.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, accompanying his report of a farther provision for the establishment of the public credit, made pursuant to an order of the House of the ninth day of August last; which were read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on this day se'nnight.

A petition of Jesse Holt was presented to the House and read, praying to be placed on the list of pensioners, in consideration of wounds received in the service of the United States during the late war. Also,

A petition of Thomas M'Intire, praying to be allowed the commutation of half-pay as an officer in the Army of the United States during the late war.

Also, a petition of Joanna Gardener, widow of Colonel Thomas Gardener, late of Massachusetts, deceased, praying that the provision, made by an act of the late Congress, for the relief of the widows and children of officers who have died in the service of the United States, may be extended to her and to her children.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction. to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

Ordered, That the several petitions of Alexander Fowler, which were presented to the House on Tuesday last, be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

Mr. Speaker, attended by the House, then withdrew to the house of the President of the United States, and there presented to him the address of this House, in answer to his speech to both Houses of Congress; to which the President made the following reply:

Gentlemen: The sentiments expressed in your address are entitled to my particular acknowledgment.

Having no object but the good of our country, this testimony of approbation and confidence from its immediate Representatives must be among my best rewards, as the support of your enlightened patriotism has been among my greatest encouragements. Being persuaded that you will continue to be actuated by the same auspicious princi ple, I look forward to the happiest consequences from your deliberations during the present session.

G. WASHINGTON.

And then, Mr. Speaker and the members being returned,
The House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14.

Two other members, to wit: from New York, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer; and from Pennsylvania, Thomas Hartley; appeared and took their seats.

A message in writing was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Lear, his Secretary, as followeth :

UNITED STATES, December 14, 1790.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:

Having informed Congress of the expedition which had been directed against certain Indians Northwest of the Ohio, I embrace the earliest opportunity of laying before you the official communications which have been received upon that subject.

G. WASHINGTON.

The official communications referred to in the said message were read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, accompanying his report, number two, of a plan for the institution of a national bank, as referred to in his letter of yesterday, which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on this day se'nnight.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills directing the mode in which the evidences of the debt of the United States, which have been, or may be, lost or destroyed, shall be renewed; and that Mr. Lee, Mr. Trumbull, and Mr. Cadwalader, be of the said committee.

A petition of Anne Roberts, widow of Owen Roberts, late a colonel of artillery in the Army of the United States, was presented to the House and read, praying to be allowed the seven years' half-pay of a colonel, as the widow of the said Owen Roberts, who was slain in the service of his country.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

Mr. Boudinot, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing a uniform militia throughout the United States; which was received, and read the first time.

On motion,

The said bill was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next.

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning cleven o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15.

A petition of Henry Emanuel Lutterloh was presented to the House and read, praying that his claim to a compensation for certain military services, which was exhibited to and rejected at the last session of Congress, may be re-considered.

A motion was made, and the question being put, that the said petition be referred to the consideration of a committee,

It passed in the negative.

And so the said petition was rejected.

The several petitions of Timothy Mix, John Linn, Reuben Gould, and Josiah Simpson, Attorney in fact for Dorcas Frost and others, were presented to the House and read, respectively praying to receive compensation for services rendered, or for losses or injuries sustained, in the service of the United State, during the late war.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruc tion to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

A petition of Thomas Randall, of the city of New York, was presented to the House and read, praying to receive compensation for a sloop, with her appurtenances, the property of the petitioner, which was impressed into the service of the United States during the late war.

Also,

A petition of Samuel Prideau, Junior, of the city of Charleston, praying to receive compensation for the value of certain wharves and houses which were taken from him, and appropriated to the use of the American Army at the siege of that place.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House. On a motion made and seconded, that the House do agree to the following resolution, to wit:

This House being highly sensible of the polite attention of the Commons of Paris, in directing copies of an eulogium lately pronounced before them, as a tribute to the ilhustrious memory of Benjamin Franklin, a citizen of the United States, to be transmitted to Congress:

Resolved, That the Speaker do accordingly communicate the sense of the House thereon to the President of the Commons of Paris:

It was resolved in the affirmative.

A petition of Amos Davis was presented to the House and read, praying to be placed on the list of pensioners, in consideration of the fracture of his hip, by a fall from his horse, after his discharge from the Army, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five.

A motion being made, and the question being put, that the said petition be referred to the consideration of a committee,

It passed in the negative.

And so the said petition was rejected.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills to continue an act declaring the assent of Congress to certain acts of the States of Maryland, Georgia, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; and that Mr. Jackson, Mr. Ames, and Mr. Sturges, be of the said committee.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Livermore reported that the committee had, according to order, had the state of the Union under consideration, and come to several resolutions thereupon; which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the Von. I.---43

Clerk's table, where the same were again severally twice read, and agreed to by the House as followeth :

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that immediate provision ought to be made for defraying the expenses incurred in the expedition against the Indians Northwest of the Ohio.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that a bill or bills ought to be brought in for the farther encouragement of the navigation of the United States.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that so much of the speech of the President of the United States to both Houses of Congress as relates to the trade of the United States in the Mediterranean, ought to be referred to the Secretary of State, with instruction to report thereupon to the House.

Ordered, That the first resolution be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to report an appropriation pursuant thereto.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills pursuant to the second resolution; and that Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Parker, Mr. Smith, of Maryland, Mr. Clymer, Mr. Vining, Mr. Benson, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Goodhue, and Mr. Foster, be of the said committee.

Ordered, That the report of the Secretary of the Treasury of an uniform system for the disposition of lands, the property of the United States, which was made on the twenty-second of July last, be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Friday next.

Ordered, That the report of the Secretary of State of a proper plan or plans for establishing uniformity in the currency, weights, and measures, of the United States, which was made on the thirteenth of July last, be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Wednesday next.

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16.

A petition of the merchants and other inhabitants of the town of Baltimore, was presented to the House and read, praying that a health office may be established, or other provision made by law, for protecting them from infectious and epidemical diseases, brought by passengers and others arriving from foreign countries. Also,

A petition of Isaac Mansfield, praying compensation for his services as a chaplain in the late Army of the United States. Also,

A petition of John Churchman, praying that the application he made at the first session of Congress, for permission to undertake a voyage to Baffin's Bay, at the public expense, for the purpose of making magnetical experiments to ascertain the causes of the variation of the needle, and how near the longitude can be thereby ascertained, may now be determined.

Ordered, That the said petitions do lie on the table.

Mr. Jackson, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill to continue an act, entitled “An act for declaring the assent of Congress to certain acts of the States of Maryland, Georgia, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations;" which was received, and read the first time.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill more effectually to provide for the National defence, by establishing a uniform militia throughout the United States; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Livermore reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said bill under consideration, and made some progress therein.

Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a Committee of the

Whole House on the said bill.

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17.

Two other members, to wit: from New York, John Hathorn; and from North Carolina, John Sevier, appeared and took their seats.

Benjamin Bourn, a member returned to serve in this House for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, appeared, produced his credentials, and took his seat in the House; the oath to support the Constitution of the United States being administered to him by Mr. Speaker, according to law.

Ordered, That the petition of the merchants and other inhabitants of the town of Bal