And then the main question being put, that the House do agree to the said clause, amended to read as followeth:

"In tracing the origin and progress of the insurrection, we can entertain no doubt that certain self-created societies and combinations of men in the four Western counties of Pennsylvania, and parts adjacent, careless of consequences, and disregarding the truth, by disseminating suspicions, jealousies, and accusations of the Government, have had all the agency you ascribe to them, in fomenting this daring outrage against social order and the authority of the laws:

It passed in the negative.

An adjournment was then called for: Whereupon,

The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow.

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28.

Ordered, That Mr. Hartley have leave to be absent from the service of this House until this day se'ennight.

A petition of a number of Germans, residing in the county of Augusta, in the State of Virginia, was presented to the House and read, stating the inconveniences to which they are subjected, from an entire ignorance of the English language, and praying that a certain portion of the laws of the United States may be printed in the German language. Also,

A memorial of Andrew Ramsay, of Monongalia county, in the State of Virginia, praying compensation for his services, as an express rider, from Ohio county, in the said State, to the Falls of Ohio river, in Kentucky, by order of Brigadier General Irvine, in the year 1782.

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

A petition of John Minor, of Grenville county, in the State of North Carolina, administrator of Reuben Minor, deceased, was presented to the House and read, praying that he may receive the pay and other emoluments due for the services of the deceased, as a Sergeant in the South Carolina line, during the late war.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Committee of Claims.

A bill for the relief of John R. Livingston was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

Ordered, That the report of the committee to whom was referred the petition of Moses Myers, be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

The House resumed the consideration of the amendments reported on Tuesday last, from the Committee of the Whole House to whom was referred the address to the President of the United States, in answer to his speech to both Houses of Congress: Whereupon,

The second amendment reported by the Committee of the Whole House being again read at the Clerk's table, was, on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House. A motion was then made and seconded further to amend the said address, by inserting, after the word “insurrection,” in the first paragraph, the following clause: "And we learn, with the greatest concern, that any misrepresentations whatever, of the Govern ment and its proceedings, either by individuals or combinations of men, should have been made, and so far credited, as to foment the flagrant outrage which has been committed on the laws:"

And, on the question thereupon,

It was resolved in the affirmative.

The said address, as amended, being then read throughout at the Clerk's table, Resolved, That this House doth agree to the same, in the words following, to wit: SIR: The House of Representatives, calling to mind the blessings enjoyed by the People of the United States, and especially the happiness of living under constitutions and laws which rest on their authority alone, could not learn, with other emotions than

those you have expressed, that any part of our fellow citizens should have shewn themselves capable of an insurrection. And we learn, with the greatest concern, that any misrepresentations whatever, of the Government and its proceedings, either by individuals or combinations of men, should have been made, and so far credited as to foment the flagrant outrage which has been committed on the laws. We feel, with you, the deepest regret at so painful an occurrence in the annals of our country. As men regardful of the tender interests of humanity, we look with grief at scenes which might have stained our land with civil blood. As lovers of public order, we lament that it has suffered so flagrant a violation: as zealous friends of republican Government, we deplore every occasion which, in the hands of its enemies, may be turned into a calumny against it.

This aspect of the crisis, however, is happily not the only one which it presents. There is another, which yields all the consolations which you have drawn from it. It has demonstrated to the candid world, as well as to the American People themselves, that the great body of them, every where, are equally attached to the luminous and vital principle of our constitution, which enjoins that the will of the majority shall prevail; that they understand the indissoluble union between true liberty and regular Government; that they feel their duties no less than they are watchful over their rights; that they will be as ready, at all times, to crush licentiousness, as they have been to defeat usurpation in a word, that they are capable of carrying into execution that noble plan of self-government which they have chosen, as the guaranty of their own happiness, and the asylum for that of all, from every clime, who may wish to unite their destiny with ours.

The

These are the just inferences flowing from the promptitude with which the summons to the standard of the laws has been obeyed; and from the sentiments which have been witnessed, in every description of citizens, in every quarter of the Union. spectacle, therefore, when viewed in its true light, may well be affirmed to display, in equal lustre, the virtues of the American character, and the value of republican Government. All must particularly acknowledge and applaud the patriotism of that portion of citizens who have freely sacrificed every thing less dear than the love of their country, to the meritorious task of defending its happiness.

In the part which you have yourself borne through this delicate and distressing period, we trace the additional proofs it has afforded of your solicitude for the public good. Your laudable and successful endeavors to render lenity in executing the laws conducive to their real energy, and to convert tumult into order, without the effusion of blood, form a particular title to the confidence and praise of your constituents. In all that may be found necessary, on our part, to complete this benevolent purpose, and to secure the ministers and friends of the laws against the remains of danger, our due cooperation will be afforded.

The other subjects which you have recommended, or communicated, and of which, several are peculiarly interesting, will all receive the attention which they demand. We are deeply impressed with the importance of an effectual organization of the militia. We rejoice at the intelligence of the advance and success of the Army under the command of General Wayne, whether we regard it as a proof of the perseverance, prowess, and superiority, of our troops, or as a happy presage to our military operations against the hostile Indians, and as a probable prelude to the establishment of a lasting peace, upon terms of candor, equity, and good neighborhood. We receive it with the greater pleasure, as it increases the probability of sooner restoring a part of the public resources to the desirable object of reducing the public debt.

We shall, on this, as on all occasions, be disposed to adopt any measure which may advance the safety and prosperity of our country. In nothing can we more cordially unite with you, than in imploring the Supreme Ruler of Nations to multiply his blessings on these United States; to guard our free and happy constitution against every machination and danger; and to make it the best source of public happiness, by verifying its character of being the best safeguard of human rights.

Resolved, That Mr. Speaker, attended by the House, do present the said address; and that Mr. Madison, Mr. Sedgwick, and Mr. Scott, 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 from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary:

Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed the bill, entitled "An act extending the privilege of franking to James White, the Delegate from the Territory of the United States South of the river Ohio, and providing for his compensation." The Senate have also appointed Mr. Ross, on their part, of the Committee for Enrolled Bills. And then he withdrew.

Ordered, That Mr. Peter Muhlenberg and Mr. New be appointed a Committee for Enrolled Bills on the part of this House, jointly, with the committee appointed for that purpose on the part of the Senate.

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith.

Mr. Giles, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill to regulate the pay of the non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, of the militia of the United States, when called into actual service, and for other purposes; 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 Monday next.

Mr. Fitzsimons, from the committee to whom were referred the petitions of Samuel Emery and James Crawford, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Treasurer of the United States, accompanying his account of receipts and expenditures of public moneys, from the 1st of April to the 30th of June, 1794; also, his account of payments and receipts for the War Department, from the 1st of July to the 30th of September, 1794, inclusive; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Ordered, That the report of the committee to whom was referred the memorial of William Denning and others, holders of bills of credit, emitted in pursuance of the resolution of the late Congress, of the eighteenth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty, which was made to this House on the sixteenth of May last, be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

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

Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed the bill, entitled "An act to authorize the President to call out and station a corps of militia in the four Western counties of Pennsylvania, for a limited time." And then he withdrew.

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 twelve o'clock, to-morrow, at his own house.

Mr. New, from the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined an enrolled bill, entitled "An act to authorize the President to call out and station a corps of militia in the four Western counties of Pennsylvania, for a limited time," and had found the same to be truly enrolled: Whereupon,

Mr. Speaker signed the said enrolled bill.

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith.

Ordered, That the report of the committee to whom was referred the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the petition of George Blanchard, in behalf of Edward Blanchard, which was made to this House on the 14th of May last, be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

Mr. New, from the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills, reported that the Committee did, this day, wait on the President of the United States, and present for his approbation an enrolled bill, entitled "An act to authorize the President to call out and station a corps of militia in the four Western counties of Pennsylvania, for a limited time.”

The House resumed the reading of the papers communicated by message from the President of the United States, on the twentieth instant, and made a farther progress therein.

The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow.
And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from Arthur St. Clair, Major General and Commander in Chief of the expedition carried on against the Western Indians, in the year 1791, requesting a speedy decision on the report of the committee appointed to inquire into the causes of the failure of the said expedition; which was read, and or

dered to lie on the table.

A message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Dandridge, his Secretary, notifying that the President did, this day, approve and sign an act, which originated in this House, entitled "An act to authorize the President to call out and station a corps of militia in the four Western counties of Pennsylvania, for a limited time."

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to report whether any, and what, alterations are necessary in the act, entitled “An act concerning the registering and recording of ships or vessels."

Also, in the act, entitled “An act for enrolling and licensing ships or vessels to be employed in the coasting trade and fisheries, and for regulating the same."

Also, in the act, entitled "An act to regulate the collection of the duties imposed by law, on goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into the United States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels."

And a committee was appointed, of Mr. Goodhue, Mr. Coit, Mr. Benjamin Bourne, Mr. Fitzsimons, and Mr. Parker.

The 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 anticipated, with confidence, the concurrence of the House of Representatives in the regret produced by the insurrection. Every effort ought to be used to discountenance what has contributed to foment it; and thus discourage a repetition of like attempts. For, notwithstanding the consolations which may be drawn from the issue of this event, it is far better that the artful approaches to such a situation of things should be checked by the vigilant and duly admonished patriotism of our fellow citizens, than that the evil should increase until it becomes necessary to crush it by the strength of their arm.

I am happy that the part which I have myself borne on this occasion receives the approbation of your House. For the discharge of a constitutional duty, it is a sufficient reward to me to be assured that you will unite in consummating what remains to be done. I feel, also, great satisfaction in learning that the other subjects which I have communicated or recommended, will meet with due attention; that you are deeply impressed with the importance of an effectual organization of the Militia; and that the advance and success of the Army under the command of General Wayne is regarded by you, no less than myself, as a proof of the perseverance, prowess, and superiority, of our troops.

G. WASHINGTON.

The Speaker laid before the House a report from the Secretary of War, respecting the fortifications of the United States, made pursuant to the resolution of this House, of the 21st instant; which was read, and ordered to be referred to Mr. Fitzsimons, Mr. Goodhue, Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Malbone, and Mr. Macon, with instruction to examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. The several orders of the day were further postponed until Monday next. And then the House adjourned until Monday morning eleven o'clock.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1.

A petition of Henry Roberts, of the town of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, was presented to the House and read, praying the liquidation and settlement of a claim for his services as an artificer in the third regiment of light dragoons, of the Army of the United States, during the late war.

Also, a memorial of Robert Harris, praying that he may receive the pay and other emoluments of a captain in the continental Army, during the late war, to which he conceives himself justly entitled by resolutions of the late Congress. Also,

A petition of James Rowland, executor of the last will and testament of William Rowland, deceased, praying compensation for the hire of two teams, the property of the deceased, employed in the service of the United States, under the direction of Francis Wade, Deputy Quartermaster General, for the State of Delaware, some time in the year, 1780.

Ordered, That the said petitions and memorial, together with the petition of Absalom Baird, and the memorial of Nathan Smith, which were presented to this House, at the last session, be referred to the Committee of Claims.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill for the relief of John R. Livingston; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Cobb reported, that the committee had, according to order, had the said bill under consideration, and made some progress therein.

On motion,

Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House be discharged from farther proceeding in the said bill, and that it be committed to the Committee of Claims.

A petition of sundry inhabitants, living between the lines commonly called Walker's and Henderson's lines, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House and read, praying that the line known by the name of Walker's line, may be established by Congress, as the boundary between the States of Virginia and North Carolina.

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

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to report what further provisions are necessary for the more general promulgation of the laws of the United States.

And a committee was appointed, of Mr. Moore, Mr. Baldwin, and Mr. Heister. Ordered, That the petition of a number of Germans, residing in the county of Augusta, in the State of Virginia, which lay on the table, be referred to the committee last appointed.

Mr. Parker, from the committee to whom was referred that part of the speech of the President of the United States which relates to the improvement of harmony with the Indian Nations, within the limits of the United States, by fixing and conducting of trading houses, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the report of the committee to whom was referred the petition of Moses Myers; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Cobb reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said report 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 report.

Mr. New, from the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined an enrolled bill, entitled "An act extending the privilege of franking to James White, the Delegate from the territory of the United States, South of the river Ohio, and making provision for his compensation," and had found the same to be truly enrolled Whereupon,

Mr. Speaker signed the said enrolled bill.

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill to regulate the pay of the non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, of the militia of the United States, when called into actual service, and for other purposes; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Cobb 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.

The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow.
And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock,

TUESDAY, December 2.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, stating his intention of resigning his office on the last day of January next, and which he now communicates, in order that an opportunity may be given, previous to that event, to institute any further proceedings which may be contemplated, if any there be, in consequence of the inquiry during the last session, into the state of the Treasury Department; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

A petition of Thomas Willock, of the borough of Norfolk, in the State of Virginia, was presented to the House and read, praying the remission of a penalty incurred in consequence of the illegal use of the register of the schooner Abby, the property of the petitioner, without his privity.

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

A petition of Josiah Batchelder, surveyor of the port of Beverly, in the State of Massachusetts, was presented to the House and read, stating the insufficiency of the fees, and other emoluments allowed him by law, and praying that the same may be increased, and rendered more adequate to his services,