Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

Executive Proceedings.

States;" and Mr. ANDERSON was requested to take the Chair; and no amendment having been proposed, the President resumed the Chair, and Mr. ANDERSON reported the bill without amendment, and it was ordered to a third reading. The bill was then read a third time by unanimous consent, and passed.

On motion, by Mr. TAYLOR, the committee to whom was referred the joint resolution authorizing the President of the United States to cause an accurate census of the inhabitants of the Mississippi Territory to be taken, were discharged from the further consideration thereof, and it was postponed to the first Monday in November next.

On motion, by Mr. TAYLOR, the committee to whom was referred the bill in addition to the act, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act concerning the commercial intercourse between the United States and Great Britain and France, and their dependencies, and for other purposes, were discharged from the further consideration thereof, and it was postponed to the first Monday in November next.

The PRESIDENT communicated a letter from

Colonel Alexander Smyth, transmitting to the Senate the first copy of an edition of "Regulations for the field exercise, manœuvres, and conduct, of the Infantry of the United States;" and the letter was read.

Six o'clock in the Evening.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House bave passed a resolution for the appointment of a joint committee to wait on the President of the United States and notify him of the intended recess, and have appointed a committee on their part, in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution from the House of Representatives for the appointment of a joint committee to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him of the intended recess, and concurred therein, and Messrs. ROBINSON and ANDERSON were appointed a committee on the part of the Senate. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To the Senate of the United States:

I transmit to the Senate copies and extracts of documents in the archives of the Department of State, falling within the purview of their resolution of the fourth instant, on the subject of British impressments from American vessels. The information, though voluminous, might have been enlarged with more time for research and preparation. In some instances it might, at the same time, have been abridged, but for the difficulty of separating the matter extraneous to the immediate object of the resolution.

JULY 6, 1812.

JAMES MADISON.

The Message and documents were read, and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House, having finished the business before them, are about to adjourn.

12th CoN. 1st SESS.-11

Mr. ROBINSON, from the committee, reported that they had waited on the President of the United States, who informed them that he had no further communications to make to the two Houses of Congress.

Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives that the Senate, having finished the legislative business before them, are about to adjourn.

Agreeably to the joint resolution, the PRESIDENT then adjourned the Senate, to meet on the first Monday in November next.

EXECUTIVE PROCEEDINGS.

SATURDAY, June 20, 1812.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. HARPER and Mr. Fisk, two of their members-Mr. HARPER, chairman:

Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed a "resolution authorizing the President of the United States to issue a proclamation to the inhabitants of the British American Continental Provinces," in which they request the concurrence of the Senate.

The resolution was read, as follows:

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, "That in case it shall be deemed necessary, in order to vindicate the just rights, or to secure the safety of the United States, to invade the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, Nova Scotia,and New Bruns wick, or either of them, the President of the United States be and he hereby is authorized and empowered said provinces, assuring them, in the name of the peoto issue a proclamation, addressed to the inhabitants of ple of these States, that in case the said provinces, or Government, the inhabitants of such province or proany of them, shall come into the possession of this vinces shall be secured and protected in the full enjoyment of their lives, liberty, property, and religion, in as full and ample manner as the same are secured to the people of the United States by their constitutions; and that the said proclamation be promulgated and circulated, in the manner which, in the opinion of the President, shall be best calculated to give it general publicity.

Ordered, That the resolution pass to a second reading.

MONDAY, June 22.

The resolution from the House of Representatives, "authorizing the President of the United States to issue a proclamation to the inhabitants of the British American Continental Provinces," was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon.

Ordered, That Messrs. ANDERSON, SMITH, of Maryland, SMITH, of New York, DANA, and VARNUM, be the committee.

WEDNESDAY, June 24.

Executive Proceedings.

The following confidential Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To the Senate of the United States:

I transmit to the Senate a report of the Secretary of War, complying with their resolution of the 19th inst. JAMES MADISON.

JUNE 23, 1812.

The Message and report were read.

Mr. ANDERSON, from the committee to whom was referred the resolution from the House of

Representatives, authorizing the President of the United States to issue a proclamation to the inhabitants of the British American Continental Provinces, reported it without amendment.

THURSDAY, June 25.

The resolution from the House of Representatives, authorizing the President of the United States to issue a proclamation to the inhabitants of the British American Continental Provinces, was resumed as in Committee of the Whole; and Mr. GAILLARD was requested to take the Chair. And, after debate, the PRESIDENT resumed the Chair, and Mr. GAILLARD reported, that the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, do not concur in the resolution; and, on the question to agree to the report of the Committee of the Whole, on motion by Mr. BIBB, it was agreed that the question be taken by yeas and nays.

On motion, by Mr. ANDERSON, to recommit the original resolution for the purpose of amendment, it was determined in the negative.

On the question to agree to the report of the Committee of the Whole, it passed in the affirmative-yeas 18, pays 13, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bayard, Bradley, Brent, Condit, Dana, Franklin, Giles, Gilman, Goodrich, Gregg, Hunter, Lambert, Leib, Lloyd, Pope, Reed, Smith of Maryland, and Smith of New York.

NAYS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Campbell of Tennessee, Crawford, Cutts, Gaillard, Howell, Robinson, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum, and Worthington.

So it was Resolved, That the Senate do not concur in the resolution of the House of Representatives.

FRIDAY, June 26.

On motion, by Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, a committee was appointed, to consist of two members, to notify the House of Representatives that the Senate do not concur in the resolution authorizing the President of the United States to issue a proclamation to the inhabitants of the British American Continental Provinces; and Mr. SMITH of Maryland, and Mr. VARNUM, were appointed the committee.

A message from the House of Representatives by Messrs. MITCHILL and HALL, two of their members:

Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed a bill, entitled "An act authorizing the President to take possession of a tract of coun

try lying south of the Mississippi Territory and of the State of Georgia, and for other purposes," in which they request the concurrence of the Senate, and that the bill be considered confidentially.

The bill last brought up for concurrence was read, as follows:

"An Act authorizing the President to take possession of a tract of country lying south of the Mississippi Territory and of the State of Georgia, and for other purposes.

sentatives of the United States of America in Con"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre gress assembled, That the President be and he is hereby authorized to occupy and hold, the whole or any part of East Florida, including Amelia Island, and also those parts of West Florida which are not now in possession and under the jurisdiction of the United States.

[ocr errors]

"SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That, for the purpose of occupying and holding the country aforesaid, and of affording protection to the inhabitants, under the authority of the United States, the President may employ such parts of the military and naval force of the United States as he may deem necessary.

"SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That, for defraying the necessary expenses, one hundred thousand dollars are hereby appropriated, to be paid out of any moneys in the Treasury, not otherwise appropriated, and to be applied to the purposes aforesaid, under the direction of the President.

"SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That, until further provision shall be made by Congress, the Pres within the country he may acquire by this act, a tem ident shall be and he hereby is empowered to establish of which shall be vested in such person and persons as porary government, the civil and military authorities he may appoint, and be exercised in such manner as he may direct: Provided, That he shall take due care for the preservation of social order, and for securing to the inhabitants the enjoyment of their personal rights, their religion, and their property: And provided, also, That the section of country herein designated, that is situated to the Eastward of the river Perdido, may be the subject of further negotiation."

Ordered, That it pass to a second reading.

SATURDAY, June 27.

The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act authorizing the President to take possession of a tract of country lying south of the Mississippi Territory and of the State of Georgia, and for other purposes," was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon.

Ordered, That Messrs. TAIT, BRADLEY, GILES, BAYARD, and BIBB, be the committee.

TUESDAY, June 30.

Mr. TAIT, from the committee to whom was referred the bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act authorizing the President to take possession of a tract of country lying south of the Mississippi Territory and of the State

Executive Proceedings..

of Georgia, and for other purposes;" reported the bill without amendment.

WEDNESDAY, July 1.

Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, submitted the following motion for consideration:

That the Secretary of War be directed to lay before the Senate, in confidence, returns of the volunteers who may have offered their services under the act for raising fifty thousand volunteers, particularizing the

States in which the volunteers reside.

Mr. GAILLARD was requested to take the Chair; and the bill from the House of Representatives, entitled 'An act authorizing the President to take possession of a tract of country lying south of the Mississippi Territory and of the State of Georgia, and for other purposes," was resumed, and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and the instructions of the President of the United States on the subject, communicated by the committee to whom the said bill was referred, were read; and a motion for amendment was submitted by Mr. CRAWFORD; and, after debate, on motion, by Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, the further considération of the bill was postponed until to-morrow.

THURSDAY, July 2.

Agreeably to the order of the day, the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the President to take possession of a tract of country lying south of the Mississippi Territory and of the State of Georgia, and for other purposes," was resumed, and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and Mr. GAILLARD was requested to take the Chair.

On motion by Mr. CRAWFORD, he was permitted to amend his motion, made yesterday, as follows:

"And be it further enacted, That if the United States, in the prosecution of the present war against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, should obtain possession of the British provinces in North America, or either of them, that the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered to establish within the same a temporary government; and the military, civil, and judicial powers thereof, shall be vested in such person and persons, and be exercised in such manner as he may direct, for the protection and maintenance of the inhabitants of such province or provinces, in the full enjoyment of their property, liberty, and religion: Provided, That the principles upon which such temporary government shall be established, shall form no obstacle to the restoration of peace between the two nations."

And, on motion to agree to the amendment, it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 20, nays 10, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Bradley, Brent, Campbell of Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Cutts, Franklin, Gaillard, Giles, Howell, Leib, Popé, Robinson, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum, and Worthington. NAYS-Messrs. Bayard, German, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, Smith of Maryland,

and Smith of New York.

On motion, by Mr. TAIT, to amend the bill as follows:

"And be it further enacted, That this act be not printed or published, unless directed by the President of the United States; any law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding."

On the question to agree to this amendment, it was determined in the affirmative yeas 23, nays 7, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bayard, Bibb, Bradley, Brent, Campbell of Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Cutts, Franklin, Gaillard, Giles, Howell, Leib, Pope, Robinson, Smith of Maryland, Smith of New York, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum, and Worthington.

Hunter, Lambert, and Lloyd.
NAY-Messrs. German, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey,

The PRESIDENT resumed the Chair, and Mr. GAILLARD reported the bill, amended.

On the question, Shall this bill pass to a third reading, as amended? it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 15. nays 13, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Brent, Campbell of Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Gaillard, Howell, Leib, Robinson, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum, and Worthington.

NAYS-Messrs. Bayard, Dana, Franklin, German, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, Pope, Smith of Maryland, and Smith of New York.

FRIDAY, July 3.

The amendments to the bill, entitled “An act authorizing the President to take possession of a tract of country lying south of the Mississippi Territory and of the State of Georgia, and for other purposes," were reported by the committee third time, as amended. correctly engrossed; and the bill was read the

On motion, by Mr. BAYARD, to postpone the further consideration thereof to the first Monday in November next; it was determined in the negative-yea's 14, nays 16, as follows:

Giles, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, YEAS-Messrs. Bayard, Bradley, Dana, German, Lloyd, Pope, Smith of Maryland, and Smith of New

York.

Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Franklin, Gaillard, YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Brent, Campbell of Howell, Leib, Robinson, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum, and Worthington.

On the question, Shall this bill pass as amended? it was determined in the negative-yeas 14, nays 16, as follows;

YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Brent, Campbell of Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Franklin, Gaillard, Robinson, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum, Worthington.

NAYS-Messrs. Bayard, Bradley, Dana, German, Giles, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Howell, Hunter, Lambert, Leib, Lloyd, Pope, Smith of Maryland, and Smith of New York.

So it was Resolved, That the Senate do not concur in the said bill.

On motion, a committee was appointed to consist of two members, to notify the House of Representatives accordingly.

Ordered, That Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, and Mr. LEIB, be the committee.

PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES

OF THE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES,

AT THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TWELFTH CONGRESS, BEGUN AT THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 4, 1811.

MONDAY, November 4, 1811.

This being the day appointed by a proclamation of the President of the United States, of the twenty-fourth day of July last, for the meeting of Congress, the following members of the House of Representatives appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats, to wit:

From New Hampshire-Josiah Bartlett, Samuel Dinsmoor, Obed Hall, John A. Harper, and George Sullivan.

From Massachusetts-Ezekiel Bacon, Abijah Bigelow, Elijah Brigham, William Ely, Isaiah L. Green, Josiah Quincy, William Reed, Ebenezer Seaver, Samuel Taggart, Peleg Tallman, Charles Turner, junior, Laban Wheaton, and Leonard White.

From Rhode Island-Richard Jackson, junior. From Connecticut-Epaphroditus Champion, John Davenport, junior, Lyman Law, Jonathan O. Moseley, Timothy Pitkin, junior, Lewis B. Sturges, and Benjamin Tallmadge.

From Vermont-Martin Chittenden, James Fisk,

Samuel Shaw, and William Strong.

From New York-Daniel Avery, Harmanus Bleecker, Thomas B. Cooke, James Emott, Asa Fitch, Thomas R. Gold, Robert Le Roy Livingston, Arunah Metcalf, Samuel L. Mitchill, Benjamin Pond, Peter B. Porter; Ebenezer Sage, Thomas Sammons, Silas Stow, Uri

Tracy, and Pierre Van Cortlandt, junior.`

From New Jersey-Adam Boyd, Lewis Condit, Jacob Hufty, James Morgan, and Thomas Newbold.

From Pennsylvania-William Anderson, David Bard, Robert Brown, William Crawford, Roger Davis, William Findley, John M. Hyneman, Joseph Lefever, Aaron Lyle, James Milnor, William Piper, Jonathan Roberts, William Rodman, Adam Seybert, John Smilie, George Smith, and Robert Whitehill.

From Delaware-Henry M. Ridgely. From Maryland-Stevenson Archer, Joseph Kent, Peter Little, Ålexander McKim, Samuel Ringgold, and Robert Wright.

From Virginia-Burwell Bassett, James Breckenridge, William A. Burwell, Matthew Clay, John Dawson, Peterson Goodwyn, Aylett Hawes, John P. Hungerford, Joseph Lewis, junior, William McCoy, Hugh Nelson, Thomas Newton, James Pleasants, junior, John Randolph, John Roane, Daniel Sheffey, John Smith, and Thomas Wilson.

[blocks in formation]

From South Carolina-William Butler, Langdon Cheves, Elias Earle, William Lowndes, Thomas Moore, and David R. Williams.

From Georgia-William W. Bibb, Howell Cobb, Bolling Hall, and George M. Troup.

From Kentucky-Henry Clay, Joseph Desha, Richard M. Johnson, Samuel McKee, Anthony New, and Stephen Ormsby.

From Tennessee-Felix Grundy, and John Rhea. From Ohio-Jeremiah Morrow, From Mississippi Territory-George Poindexter, Delegate.

From Indiana Territory-Jonathan Jennings, Delegate.

And a quorum, consisting of a majority of the whole number of members, being present, the House proceeded, by ballot, to the choice of a Speaker; and, upon examining the ballots, it appeared that HENRY CLAY, one of the Representatives for the State of Kentucky, was duly elected; Whereupon,

Mr. CLAY was conducted to the Speaker's chair, and the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, as prescribed by the act, entitled "An act to regulate the time and manner of administering certain oaths," was administered to him by Mr. FINDLEY, one of the members for the State of Pennsylvania; after which, he made his acknowledgments to the House, in the following words:

"GENTLEMEN: In coming to the station which you have done me the honor to assign me-an honor for which you will be pleased to accept my thanks-I obey rather your commands than my own inclination. I am sensible of the imperfections which I bring along with me, and a consciousness of these would deter me from attempting a discharge of the duties of the Chair, did I not rely, confidently, upon your generous support.

Should the rare and delicate occasion present itself, when your Speaker shall be called upon to check or control the wanderings or intemperance in debate, your justice will I hope, ascribe to his interposition the motives only of public good and a regard to the dignity

« ZurückWeiter »