Resolved, That this Convention, in behalf of the freemen, citizens, and inhabitants, of the State of North Carolina, do adopt and ratify the said Constitution and Form of Government.

Done in Convention, this twenty-first day of December, one thousand seven hun. dred and eighty-nine.

SAMUEL JOHNSTON, President of the Convention.

By the direction of the President of the United States, I have examined and compar ed the foregoing with the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States, by the State of North Carolina, which was transmitted to the President of the United States, by Samuel Johnston, President of the Convention of said State, as well as the transcript of the Constitution of the United States, recited in the said ratification, which I certify to be a true copy.

TOBIAS LEAR, Secretary to the President of the United States.”

Ordered, That the said message and papers do lie on the table.

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12.

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 te his Speech to both Houses of Congress.

Mr. Speaker left the chair.

Mr. Baldwin took the chair of the committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Baldwin 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, to wit:

SIR: The Representatives of the People of the United States have taken into consideration your Speech to both Houses of Congress, at the opening of the present

session.

We reciprocate your congratulations on the accession of the State of North Carolina; an event which, while it is a testimony of the increasing good will towards the Govern ment of the Union, cannot fail to give additional dignity and strength to the American Republic, already rising in the estimation of the world, in national character and res pectability.

The information that our measures of the last session have not proved dissatisfactory to our constituents, affords us much encouragement at this juncture, when we are resuming the arduous task of legislating for so extensive an empire.

Nothing can be more gratifying to the Representatives of a free People, than the reflection that their labors are rewarded by the approbation of their fellow citizens. Under this impression, we shall make every exertion to realize their expectations, and to secure to them those blessings which Providence has placed within their reach. Still prompted by the same desire to promote their interests which then actuated us, we shall, in the present session, diligently and anxiously pursue those measures which shall appear to us conducive to that end.

We concur with you in the sentiment, that agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, are entitled to legislative protection, and that the promotion of science and literature will contribute to the security of a free Government; in the progress of our deliberations we shall not lose sight of objects so worthy of our regard.

The various and weighty matters which you have judged necessary to recommend to our attention, appear to us essential to the tranquillity and welfare of the Union, and claim our early and most serious consideration. We shall proceed, without delay, to bestow on them that calm discussion which their importance requires.

We regret that the pacific arrangements pursued with regard to certain hostile tribes of Indians, have not been attended with that success which we had reason to expect from them: We shall not hesitate to concur in such further measures as may best obviate any ill effects which might be apprehended from the failure of those negotiations.

Your approbation of the vote of this House, at the last session, respecting the provi sion for the public creditors, is very acceptable to us. The proper mode of carrying that resolution into effect being a subject in which the future character and happines of these States are deeply involved, will be among the first to deserve our attention.

The prosperity of the United States is the primary object of all our deliberations; and we cherish the reflection that every measure which we may adopt for its advancement, will not only receive your cheerful concurrence, but will, at the same time, derive from your co-operation, additional efficacy, in insuring to our fellow citizens the blessings of a free, efficient, and equal Government.

Resolved, That Mr. Speaker, attended by the House, do present the said Address; and that Mr. Smith, of South Carolina, Mr. Clymer, and Mr. Lawrance, be a committee to wait on the President, to know when and where it will be convenient for him to receive the same.

A message in writing was received from the President of the United States, by the Secretary of War, accompanied by a statement of the Southwestern Frontier and of the Indian Department; which were partly read.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13.

Several other members, to wit, from Connecticut, Benjamin Huntington; from New Jersey, Lambert Cadwalader; from Pensylvania, Daniel Heister; and from Maryland, William Smith; appeared and took their seats.

On motion,

Ordered, That so much of the standing rules and orders of this House as directs the mode of appointing committees, be rescinded; and that hereafter it be a standing rule of the House, that all committees shall be appointed by the Speaker, unless otherwise specially directed by the House, in which case they shall be appointed by ballot; and if, upon such ballot, the number required shall not be elected by a majority of the votes given, the House shall proceed to a second ballot, in which a plurality of votes shall prevail; and in case a greater number than are required to compose or complete the committtee shall have an equal number of votes, the House shall proceed to a further

ballot or ballots.

The House resumed the reading of the statement of the Southwestern Frontiers and of the Indian Department, as referred to in the President's message of yesterday; and having gone through the same,

Ordered, That the said message and statement be referred to a committee of five, and that Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Brown, Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Burke, and Mr. Baldwin, be of the said committee.

Mr. Smith, of South Carolina, from the committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, to know when and where it will be convenient to 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, and that he signified to them that it would be convenient to him to receive the said address at 12 o'clock to-morrow, at his own house.

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14.

Two other members, to wit, from Massachusetts, Theodore Sedgwick; and from Pennsylvania, Thomas Hartley; appeared and took their seats.

On motion,

Ordered, That Mr. Livermore, Mr. Ames, Mr. Lawrance, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Smith, of Maryland, be added to the committee appointed yesterday, and to whom was referred the message of the President of the United States of Tuesday last, together with the statement of the Southwestern Frontiers and of the Indian Department.

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: I receive with pleasure the assurances you give me, that you will diligently and anxiously pursue such measures as shall appear to you conducive to the interest of your constituents; and that an early and serious consideration will be given to the various and weighty matters recommended by me to your attention.

I have full confidence that your deliberations will continue to be directed by an enlightened and virtuous zeal for the happiness of our country. G. WASHINGTON.

Mr. Speaker and the members being returned into the House,

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, accompanied with his report relative to a provision for the support of the public credit, made pursuant to the order of this House of Saturday last; and the said report, with the papers therein referred to, being read,

Resolved, That this House will, on this day fortnight, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to take into consideration the said report and papers.

Ordered, That three hundred copies of the said report and papers be forthwith struck for the use of the members of both Houses.

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

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15.

Another member, to wit: James Jackson, from Georgia, appeared and took his seat. A memorial of John Cochran, late Receiver of Continental Taxes in the State of New York, and Commissioner of the Loan Office for the same, was presented to the House and read, praying that a further allowance may be made him for his services and expenses in the said two offices, the salary allowed by the late Congress having been ve. ry inadequate thereto. Also,

A petition of William Montgomery and Abraham Owen, praying that any exclusive privilege which Congress shall judge proper to grant to James Rumsey, as the author of certain devices and inventions, may be restricted to the plans or specifications thereof deposited by the said Rumsey in the files of Congress, in such manner that the petitioners, or others, may not be precluded from making or using any machinery not comprised in the said plans or specifications.

Ordered, That the said memorial and petition do lie on the table.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of War, accompanied by his reports on the several petitions of James Gibbon and Alexander M'Alister, Dudly Tyler, Charles Markley, John Hurt, Patrick Bennet, Henry Malcolm, and John M'Garragh, which were referred to him to examine and report upon by an order of this House of the twenty-fifth of September last.

The said letter and reports were read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The House then, according to the standing order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

Mr. Speaker left the chair.

Mr. Baldwin took the chair of the committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Baldwin reported that the committee had, according to order, had the state of the Union under consideration, and had come to a resolution thereupon; which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was read, and is as followeth :

"Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that the several matters recommended by the President of the United States, in his speech to both Houses of Congress, relating to a provision for the national defence; to the promotion of manufactories for essential, particularly for military supplies; to a compensation to the persons employed in the intercourse between the United States and foreign nations; to the establishing a uniform rule of naturalization; to the establishment of uniformity in the currency, weights, and measures; to the advancement of the agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, of the United States; to the encouragement of useful inventions; to the establishment of Post Offices and Post Roads; and to the promotion of science and literature; ought severally to be referred to select committees to be appointed by the House, to prepare and bring in a bill or bills, providing for each particular purpose.' The said resolution being again read,

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills providing for the national defence; and that Mr. Gilman, Mr. Peter Muhlenberg, Mr. Heister, Mr. Mathews, and Mr. Floyd, be of the said committee.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills for making compensation to persons employed in the intercourse between the United States and foreign nations; and that Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Huntington, and Mr. Lee, be of the said committee.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills for establishing a uniform rule of naturalization; and that Mr. Hartley, Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Moore, be of the said committee.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare and report to this House, a proper plan or plans, conformably to the recommendation of the Presi

dent of the United States, in his speech to both Houses of Congress, for the encouragement and promotion of such manufactories as will tend to render the United States independent of other nations for essential, particularly for military supplies.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Secretary of State to prepare and report to this House, in like manner, a proper plan or plans for establishing uniformity in the currency, weights, and measures, of the United States.

On motion,

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills to make such alteration in the laws of the United States, as are necessary to conform the same to the present circumstances of the State of North Carolina; and that Mr. Benson, Mr. Trumbull, and Mr. Cadwalader, do prepare and bring in the same. And then the House adjourned until Monday morning eleven o'clock.

MONDAY, JANUARY 18.

Two other members, to wit: from New Jersey, Thomas Sinnickson; and from Maryland, Michael Jenifer Stone; appeared and took their seats.

A petition of James Hubbs, of the State of New Jersey, mariner, was presented to the House and read, praying to be relieved from a prosecution commenced against him at the suit of the United States, for the sum of four hundred dollars, being the penalty fixed by law for transporting goods from one district to another of the same State, without a manifest; of which law, at the time of committing the offence, he was wholly ig

norant.

Ordered, That the said petition, together with the memorial of John Cochran, presented on Friday last, be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

A petition of Hannibal William Dobbyn, of the Kingdom of Ireland, was presented to the House and read, setting forth that he is desirous of becoming a citizen of the United States, and of making a considerable purchase of the public lands; and praying that the Secretary of the Treasury may be authorized to contract with him for that pur pose.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to Mr. Page, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Partridge; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from Gerard Bancker, Treasurer of the State of New York, accompanied with a copy of the laws of the said State, transmitted for the use of this House, pursuant to concurrent resolutions of the Senate and Assembly of the said State.

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

Mr. Foster, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill providing for the actual enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States; which was received, and read the first time.

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19.

A petition of Benjamin Bird, of Waltham, in the State of Massachusetts, was presented to the House and read, praying that there may be granted to him, under such re strictions or bonds as Congress shall require, duplicates of eight Continental Loan Office certificates, amounting to three thousand four hundred dollars, the property of the petitioner, and which he casually lost some time in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight. Also,

The several petitions of Nathan Fuller, of the same State, and of Salmon Burr, Lemuel Cravath, John Holbrook, Jeremiah Ryan, Ezra Smith, and Ruth Roberts, relict of Lemuel Roberts, deceased, of the State of Connecticut, praying that their respective claims for losses or injuries sustained in the service of the United States, during the late war, may be liquidated and satisfied.

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

A bill providing for the actual enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Friday next.

On motion,

Ordered, That it be an instruction to the committee appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills for making compensation to persons employed in the intercourse be

tween the United States and foreign nations, to include therein a compensation to persons who may be employed in such intercourse.

Mr. Page, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of Hannibal William Dobbyn, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, enclosing his report on the petition of Christopher Saddler; which was read, and ordered to be referred to Mr. Ames, Mr. Sturges, Mr. Stone, Mr. Griffin, and Mr. Wynkoop. On motion,

Ordered, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to report to this House such information as he may have obtained respecting any difficulties which may have occured in the execution of the several laws for collecting duties on goods, wares, and merchandises, and on tonnage, and for regulating the coasting trade, together with his opinion thereupon.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20.

Two other members, to wit: James Madison, junior, and Josiah Parker, from Virgi nia, appeared and took their seats.

Ordered, That the several petitions of Ruth Roberts, Jeremiah Ryan, Ezra Smith, and Salmon Burr, which were presented yesterday, be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction that he do examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

A petition of sundry inhabitants of the County of Westchester, in the State of New York, was presented to the House and read, praying to be compensated for considerable quantities of wheat, ryc, corn, oats, and hay, cattle, sheep, and hogs, which were taken from them during the late war, for the use of the Army.

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

The House proceeded to consider the report of the committee on the petition of Hannibal William Dobbyn: Whereupon,

Ordered, That the said report do lie on the table; and that the Secretary of the Trea sury be directed to report to this House a uniform system for the disposition of lands the property of the United States.

On motion,

Ordered, That the state of facts respecting the Western Territory, reported by a committee of this House the last session, be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury for his information.

Mr. Wadsworth, from the committee to whom was referred the message from the President of the United States, with the statement of the Southwestern frontier, and of the Indian Department, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary:

Mr. Speaker: The Senate have agreed to a resolution appointing a committee on their part, to confer with such committee as may be appointed on the part of this House, to consider and report whether or not the business begun previous to the late adjournment of Congress shall now be proceeded in as if no adjournment had taken place; to which they desire the concurrence of this House. And then he withdrew. The said resolution being twice read at the Clerk's table,

Resolved, That this House doth agree to the same; and that Mr. Sherman, Mr. Thatcher, Mr. Hartley, Mr. White, and Mr. Jackson, be a committee on the part of this House for the purpose therein mentioned.

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21.

Several other members, to wit: from Massachusetts, George Leonard; from New York, Peter Silvester; and from Pennsylvania, Thomas Fitzsimons; appeared and took their seats.

A petition af Lemuel Miller, of the State of Massachusetts, was presented to the House and read, praying to be allowed the commutation of half pay for his services five years and five months, as lieutenant in the Army during the late war. Ordered, That the said petition do lie on the table.

On motion,

Ordered, That the petition of David Sturges, which was presented at the last session, praying to be allowed a pension in consideration of a wound in his left hand, which he