attended. The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the general account of the Treasurer of the United States, from October 1, 1801, to October 1, 1802; as, also, the accounts for the War and Navy Departments, for the same period; which were read. Mr. SUMTER presented a letter from the Governor of the State of South Carolina directed to the Senators of that State in the Congress of the United States, requesting their endeavors to procure a law for the remission of the impost duties on certain brass ordnance and military stores, purchased in England for the use of that State, in consequence of appropriations made by the Legis lature for that purpose; and the letter was read, and ordered to lie for consideration. Mr. SUMTER also presented to the Senate the petition of Adam Tunno, James Bulgin, and George Verree, assignees of the estate and effects of McFarland and Player, of Charleston, merchants, stating that the said McFarland and Play SENATE. er, before they became bankrupts, imported into Charleston certain quantities of sugar, which were accidentally destroyed by fire; and praying, in their behalf, the remission of the duties thereon: And the petition was read. Ordered, That it lie for consideration. Mr. MORRIS presented the petition of the inhabitants of the Mississippi Territory, holding lands under Spanish grants and occupancy, obtained prior to the ratification of the treaty between the United States and Spain, praying to be confirmed in their titles: And the petition was read. Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. MORRIS, JACKSON, and BALDWIN, to consider and report thereon; and that, in the meantime, it be printed for the use of the Senate. TUESDAY, December 28. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: In my Message of the 15th instant, I mentioned that plans and estimates of a dry dock for the preservation experience, should be laid before you without delay. of our ships of war, prepared by a person of skill and These are now transmitted; the report and estimate by duplicates; but the plans being single only, I must request an intercommunication of them between the Houses, and their return when they shall be no longer wanting for their consideration. DEC. 27, 1802. TH. JEFFERSON. The Message and papers therein referred to were read. Ordered, That they be printed for the use of the Senate. Mr. BRECKENRIDGE presented the petition of sundry inhabitants of the Mississippi Territory, holding lands under Spanish grants and occupancy, obtained prior to the ratification of the treaty between the United States and Spain, and praying to be confirmed in their titles; and the petition was read. Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed yesterday on the same subject, to consider and report thereon. of Christian Vangundy, stating that he was an Mr. BRECKENRIDGE also presented the petition early settler in the Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, and praying a preemption right to the section on which he hath made a settlement, for reasons therein mentioned; and the petition was read. Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. BRECKENRIDGE, HILLHOUSE, and BALDWIN, to consider and report thereon. On motion, it was of the Legislature of the State of Kentucky, communicated on the 24th instant, be printed for the use of the Senate. Ordered. That the resolutions and memorial WEDNESDAY, December 29. The Senate assembled; no business transacted. THURSDAY, December 30. Mr. ANDERSON, and Mr. CoCKE, from the State of Tennessee, severally attended. Mr. TRACY, from the committee to whom was referred, on the 23d instant, the bill to carry into effect a resolution of Congress to erect a monument to the memory of the late General David Wooster, reported amendments; which were read. Ordered, That they be printed for the use of the Senate. FRIDAY, December 31. JANUARY, 1803. and the petition was read, and ordered to lie for consideration. Mr. WHITE presented the memorial of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, signed Thomas Fitzsimons, in their behalf, praying that the acts of Congress, entitled "An act imposing duties on the tonnage of ships and vessels;" and "An act making further provision for the debts of the United States," as they are attended with the most beneficial consequences to the trade, may not be repealed; and the petition was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. TRACY, from the committee to whom were recommitted, on the 31st of December last, the bill to carry into effect a resolution of Congress to erect a monument to the memory of the late General David Wooster, together with the amendments thereto, reported further amendments; which were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. Mr. MORRIS presented the petition of Nicholas Perkins, and others, practitioners of law in the Mississippi Territory, stating that a petition hath been circulated in the said Territory, praying, amongst other things, "that the office of the Territorial judges of that government be abolished," and showing cause why the prayer of the said A message from the House of Representatives petition should not be granted; and the petition informed the Senate that the House have passed was read, and ordered to lie for consideration. a bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for Mr. OGDEN presented the petition of Cloe Strong, the Military Establishment of the United States in widow of David Strong, late Colonel of the first the year one thousand eight hundred and three;" United States regiment, stating that her husband and a bill entitled "An act making a partial aplost his life by a malignant fever at Wilkinson-propriation for the Naval service during the year ville, and that she is left in indigent circumstan- one thousand eight hundred and three ;" in which ces, and praying relief; and the petition was read. several bills they desire the concurrence of the Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs OG- Senate. DEN, TRACY, and SUMTER, to consider and report thereon. The Senate took into consideration the amendments reported by the committee to the bill to carry into effect a resolution of Congress to erect a monument to the memory of the late General David Wooster; and, having amended the report, Ordered, That the bill, together with the report, be recommitted to the committee who brought in the bill for further amendment; and that Messrs. CLINTON and HILLHOUSE be added to the said committee. MONDAY, January 3, 1803. Mr. NICHOLAS, from the State of Virginia, and Mr. WELLS, from the State of Delaware, attended. TUESDAY, January 4. A message from the House Representatives informed the Senate that the House of Representatives have passed a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Charles Hyde," in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The bill was read, and ordered to a second reading. WEDNESDAY, January 5. The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Charles Hyde," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. BALDWIN, CLINTON, and NICHOLAS, to consider and report thereon. Mr. LOGAN presented the petition of George White and others, journeymen printers, of the city of Philadelphia, praying that such additional duties may be laid on imported books, as to the wisdom of Congress may seem meet and proper; The bills were read, and ordered to the second reading. On motion, that it be resolved that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill for giving effect to the laws of the United States within the State of Ohio: it was agreed that the motion lie for consideration. THURSDAY, January 6. The bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the Military Establishment of the United States in the year one thousand eight hundred and three," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. JACKSON, J. MASON, and NICHOLAS, to consider and report thereon. The bill, entitled "An act making a partial appropriation for the Naval service during the year one thousand eight hundred and three," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs TRACY, PLUMER, and CLINTON, to consider and report thereon. The Senate took into consideration the amendments yesterday reported, by the committee, to the bill to carry into effect a resolution of Congress to erect a monument to the memory of the late General David Wooster; and having agreed thereto, and amended the bill accordingly, Ordered, That it pass to a third reading as amended. The motion made yesterday "that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill for giving effect to the laws of the United States within the State of Ohio," was resumed; and, on motion, to strike out after "to," in the first instance, and insert: a constitution and State government agreeably to the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the ordiance of Congress for the government of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, and make report thereon:" It was agreed that the motion and amendment should lie until to-morrow, and in the mean time be printed for the use of the Senate. FRIDAY, January 7. Mr. STONE, from North Carolina, attended. The PRESIDENT communicated a letter signed T. Worthington, agent for the State of Ohio, enclosing a copy of the constitution of the said State, and requesting it might be laid before the Senate; and they were read, and ordered to lie for con sideration. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion made on the 5th instant for extending the laws of the United States to the State of Ohio, together with the amendment proposed thereon; which amendment was withdrawn; and it was agreed to adopt the motion, amended as follows: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, Legislative measures may be necessary for admitting the State of Ohio into the Union, or for extending to that State the laws of the United States; and Ordered, That Messrs. BRECKENRIDGE, MORRIS, and ANDERSON, be the committee, and that the letter signed T. Worthington, agent for the State of Ohio, laid before the Senate this morning, together with a copy of the constitution of said State, be referred to the same committee, to consider and report thereon. The bill to carry into effect the several resolutions of Congress for erecting monuments to the memories of the late Generals Wooster, Herkimer, Davidson, and Scriven, was read the third time. On motion to postpone the further consideration of this bill until the first Monday in December next, it passed in the negative-yeas 9, nays 17, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Baldwin, Bradley, Breckenridge, Cocke, Ellery, Nicholas, Sumter, and Wright. NAYS-Messrs. Clinton, Dayton, T. Foster, D. Foster, Franklin, Hillhouse, Howard, Jackson, Logan, J. Mason, Morris, Olcott, Plumer, Stone, Tracy, Wells, and White. On the question, Shall this bill pass as amended? it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 18, nays 8, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Baldwin, Clinton, Dayton, T. Foster, D. Foster, Franklin, Hillhouse, Howard, Jackson, Logan, J. Mason, Morris, Olcott, Plumer, Stone, Tracy, Wells, and White. NAYS-Messrs, Anderson, Bradley, Breckenridge, Cocke, Ellery, Nicholas, Sumter, and Wright. So it was Resolved, That this bill pass, that it be engrossed, and that the title thereof be "An act to carry into effect the several resolutions of Congress for erecting monuments to the memories of the late Generals Wooster, Herkimer, Davidson, and Scriven." MONDAY, January 10. SENATE. Mr. BALDWIN, from the committee to whom was referred, on the 5th instant, the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Charles Hyde," reported it without amendment. Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. Mr. JACKSON, from the committee to whom was referred, on the 6th instant, the bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the Military Establishment of the United States, in the year one thousand eight hundred and three," reported lie for consideration. amendments; which were read, and ordered to Resolved, That Mr. PLUMER be of the joint committee for enrolled bills on the part of the Senate. referred, on the 6th instant, the bill, entitled "An Mr. TRACY, from the committee to whom was service during the year one thousand eight hunact making a partial appropriation for the Naval dred and three," reported it without amendment. Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. TUESDAY, January 11. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: of the House of Representatives: I transmit to you a report received from the Director of the Mint, on the subject of that institution. JAN. 11, 1803. TH. JEFFERSON. The Message and papers therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. The Senate took into consideration the amendments yesterday reported by the committee to the bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the Military Establishment of the United States in the year one thousand eight hundred and three;" and, having agreed thereto, Ordered, That the bill pass to a third reading as amended. The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Charles Hyde," was read the third time, and amended, by adding, line 8th, after the word "services," "in addition to his pay in the line." Resolved, That this bill pass as amended. The bill, entitled "An act making a partial appropriation for the Naval service during the year one thousand eight hundred and three," was read the third time and passed. In Executive session, the following Messages were received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Gentlemen of the Senate: The cession of the Spanish province of Louisiana to France, and perhaps of the Floridas, and the late suspension of our right of deposit at New Orleans, are events of primary interest to the United States. On both occasions, such measures were promptly taken as were thought most likely amicably to remove the present and to prevent future causes of inquietude. The objects of these measures were to obtain the territory on the left bank of the Mississippi, and eastward of that, if practicable, on conditions to which the proper authorities of our country would agree; or, at least, to prevent any changes which might lessen the secure exercise of our rights. While my confidence in our Minister Plenipotentiary at Paris is entire and undiminished, I still think that these objects might be promoted by joining with him a person sent from hence directly, carrying with him the feelings and sentiments of the nation, excited on the late occurrence, impressed by full communications of all the views we entertain on this interesting subject; and thus prepared to meet and to improve, to an useful result, the counter-propositions of the other contracting party, whatsoever form their interests may give to them, and to secure to us the ultimate accomplishment of our object. I therefore nominate Robert R. Livingston to be Minister Plenipotentiary, and James Monroe to be Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, with full powers to both, jointly, or to either, on the death of the other, to enter into a treaty or convention with the First Consul of France, for the purpose of enlarging, and more effectually securing, our rights and interests in the river Mississippi, and in the territories eastward thereof. But as the possession of these provinces is still in Spain, and the course of events may retard or prevent the cession to France being carried into effect, to secure our object, it will be expedient to address equal powers to the Government of Spain also, to be used only in the event of its being necessary. I therefore nominate Charles Pinckney to be Minister Plenipotentiary, and James Monroe, of Virginia, to be Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, with full powers to both, jointly, or to either, on the death of the other, to enter into a treaty or convention with His Catholic Majesty, for the purpose of enlarging, and more effectually securing, our rights and interests in the river Mississippi, and in the territories eastward thereof. JAN. 11, 1803. Gentlemen of the Senate: TH. JEFFERSON. JANUARY, 1803. FRIDAY, January 14. The Senate went into the consideration of Executive business, and afterwards adjourned to Monday morning. MONDAY, January 17. Mr. BROWN, from the State of Kentucky, attended. After the consideration of Executive business, the Senate adjourned. TUESDAY, January 18. Two Messages were received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, the first a confidential Message, which was read, as follows: Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: As the continuance of the act for establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes will be under the consideraduty to communicate the views which have guided me tion of the Legislature at its present session, I think it my in the execution of that act, in order that you may decide on the policy of continuing it, in the present, or any other form, or discontinue it altogether, if that shall, on the whole, seem most for the public good. The Indian tribes residing within the limits of the United States, have, for a considerable time, been growing more and more uneasy at the constant diminution of the territory they occupy, although effected by their own voluntary sales; and the policy has long been gaining strength with them, of refusing absolutely all further sale, on any conditions; insomuch that, at this time, it hazards their friendship, and excites dangerous jealousies and perturbations in their minds to make any overture for the purchase of the smallest portions The spoliations and irregularities committed on our of their land. A very few tribes only are not yet obsticommerce during the late war, by subjects of Spain, ornately in these dispositions. In order peaceably to by others deemed within her responsibility, having called for attention, instructions were accordingly given to our Minister at Madrid to urge our right to just indemnifications, and to propose a convention for adjusting them. The Spanish Government listened to our proposition with an honorable readiness, and agreed to a convention, which I now submit for your advice and consent. It does not go to the satisfaction of all our claims; but the express reservation of our right to press the validity of the residue has been made the ground of further instructions to our Minister, on the subject of an additional article, which it is to be hoped will not be without effect. TH. JEFFERSON. JANUARY 11, 1803. counteract this policy of theirs, and to provide an extension of territory, which the rapid increase of our numbers will call for, two measures are deemed expedient. First, to encourage them to abandon hunting, to apply to the raising stock, to agriculture, and domestic manufacture; and thereby prove to themselves that less land and labor will maintain them in this, better than in their former mode of living. The extensive forests necessary in the hunting life, will then become useless; and they will see advantage in exchanging them for the means of improving their farms, and of increasing their domestic comforts. Secondly, to multiply trading houses among them, and place within their reach those things which will contribute more to their domestic comfort, than the possession of extensive, but uncultivated wilds. Experience and reflection will develope to them the wisdom of exchanging what they can spare and we want, for what we can spare, and they want. In leading them thus to agriculture, to manufactures, and civilization; in bringing together their and our settlements, and in preparing them ultimately to participate in the benefits of our Government, I trust and believe we are acting for their greatest good. At these trading-houses we have pursued the principles of the act of Congress, which directs that the commerce shall be carried on liberally, and requires only that the capital stock shall not be diminished. We, consequently, undersell private traders, foreign and domestic, The Senate assembled, but transacted but lit-drive them from the competition; and thus, with the tle or no business of importance. The Messages and papers therein referred to were read, and ordered that they severally lie for consideration. WEDNESDAY, January 12. The bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the Military Establishment of the United States in the year one thousand eight hundred and three," was read the third time. Resolved, That this bill pass with amendments. THURSDAY, January 13. good will of the Indians, rid ourselves of a descrip tion of men who are constantly endeavoring to excite in the Indian mind suspicions, fears, and irritations, towards us. A letter now enclosed, shows the effect of our competition on the operations of the traders, while the Indians, perceiving the advantage of purchasing from us, are soliciting, generally, our establishment of trading houses among them. In one quarter this is particularly interesting. The Legislature, reflecting on the late occurrences on the Mississippi, must be sensible how desirable it is to possess a respectable breadth of country on that river, from our Southern limit to the Illinois, at least; so that we may present as firm a front on that as on our Eastern border. We possess what is below the Yazoo, and can, probably, acquire a certain breadth from the Illinois and Wabash to the Ohio; but between the Ohio and Yazoo, the country all belongs to the Chickasaws, the most friendtribe within our limits, but the most decided against the alienation of lands. The portion of our country most important for us, is exactly that which they do not inhabit. Their settlements are not on the Mississippi, but in the interior country. They have lately shown a desire to become agricultural; and this leads to the desire of buying implements and comforts. In the strengthening and gratifying of these wants, I see the only prospect of planting on the Mississippi itself, the means of its own safety. Duty has required me to submit these views to the judgment of the Legislature; but, as their disclosure might embarrass and defeat their effect, they are committed to the special confidence of the two Houses. While the extension of the public commerce among the Indian tribes may deprive of that source of profit such of our citizens as are engaged in it, it might be worthy the attention of Congress, in their care of individual as well as of the general interest, to point, in another direction, the enterprise of these citizens, as profitably for themselves, and more usefully for the public. The river Missouri, and the Indians inhabiting it, are not as well known as is rendered desirable by their connexion with the Mississippi, and consequently with us. It is, however, understood, that the country on that river is inhabited by numerous tribes, who furnish great supplies of furs and peltry to the trade of another nation, carried on in a high latitude, through an infinite number of portages and lakes, shut up by ice through a long season. The commerce on that line could bear no competition with that of the Missouri, traversing a moderate climate, offering, according to the best accounts, a continued navigation from its source, and possibly with a single portage, from the Western ocean, and finding to the Atlantic a choice of channels through the Illinois, or Wabash, the lakes and Hudson, through the Ohio and Susquehanna, or Potomac or James rivers, and through the Tennessee and Savannah rivers. An intelligent officer, with ten or twelve chosen men, fit for the enterprise, and willing to undertake it, taken from our posts, where they may be spared without inconvenience, might explore the whole line, even to the Western ocean, have conferences with the natives on the subject of commercial intercourse, get admission among them for our traders, as others are admitted, agree on convenient deposits for an interchange of articles, and return with the information acquired, in the course of two summers. Their arms and accoutrements, some instruments of observation, and light and cheap presents for the Indians, would be all the apparatus they could carry, and with an expectation of a soldier's portion of land on SENATE. their return, would constitute the whole expense. Their pay would be going on, whether here or there. While other civilized nations have encountered great expense to enlarge the boundaries of knowledge, by undertaking voyages of discovery, and for other literary purposes, in various parts and directions, our nation seems to owe to the same object, as well as to its own interests, to explore this, the only line of easy communication across the continent, and so directly traversing our own part of it. The interests of commerce place the principal object within the Constitutional powers and care of Congress, and that it should incidentally advance the geographical knowledge of our continent, cannot but be an additional gratification. The nation claiming the territory, regarding this as a literary pursuit, which it is in the habit of permitting within its dominions, would not be disposed to view it with jealousy, even if the expiring state of its interests there did not render it a matter of indifference. The appropriation of two thousand five hundred dollars, "for the purpose of extending the external commerce of the United States," while understood and considered by the Executive as giving the Legislative sanction, would cover the undertaking from notice, and prevent the obstructions which interested individuals might otherwise previously prepare in its way. JANUARY 18, 1803. TH. JEFFERSON. The Message was read, and ordered to lie for consideration. The other Message was read, as follows: Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: I enclose a report of the Secretary of War, stating the trading houses established in the Indian territories, the progress which has been made, in the course of the last year, in settling and marking boundaries with the different tribes, the purchases of lands recently made from them, and the prospect of further progress in marking boundaries, in new extinguishments of title in the year to come; for which some appropriations of money will be wanting. To this I have to add, that, when the Indians ceded to us the salt springs on the Wabash, they expressed a hope that we would so employ them as to enable them to procure there the necessary supplies of salt. Indeed, it would be the most proper and acceptable form in which the annuity could be paid which we propose to give them for the cession. These springs might, at the same time, be rendered eminently serviceable to our western inhabitants, by using them as the means of counteracting the monopolies of salt, and of reducing the price in that country to a just level. For these purposes a small appropriation would be necessary to meet the first expenses, after which they should support themselves, and repay those advances. These springs are said to possess the advantage of being accompanied wiih a bed of coal. |