Part 198

In the communications which I have made to Congress during the present session relative to foreign nations, I have omitted no opportunity of testifying my anxiety to preserve the United States in peace. It is peculiarly, therefore, my duty, at this time to lay before you the present state of certain hostile threats against the territories of Spain in our neighborhood.

The documents which accompany this message develope the measures which I have taken to suppress them, and the intelligence which has been lately received.

It will be seen from thence that the subject has not been neglected; that every power vested in the Executive on such occasions has been exerted; and that there was reason to believe that the enterprise projected against the Spanish dominions was relinquished.

But it appears to have been revived upon principles which set public order at defiance, and place the peace of the United States in the discretion of unauthorized individuals. The means already deposited in the different departments of Government are shown, by experience, not to be adequate to these high exigencies, although such of them as are lodged in the hands of the Executive shall continue to be used with promptness, energy, and decision, proportioned to the case. But I am impelled, by the position of our public affairs, to recommend that provision be made for a stronger and more vigorous opposition than can be given to such hostile movements under the laws as they now stand.

G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, May 20, 1794.

The Message and papers therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie for consideration.

WEDNESDAY, May 21.

The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

I lay before you, in confidence, sundry papers by which you will perceive the state of affairs between us and the Six Nations, and the probable cause to which it is owing; and also certain information, whereby it would appear that some encroachment was about to be made on our territory by an officer and party of British troops. Proceeding upon a supposition of the authenticity of this information, although of a private nature, I have caused the representation to be made to the British Minister, a copy of which accompanies this Message.

It cannot be necessary to comment upon the very serious nature of such an encroachment, nor to urge that this new state of things suggests the propriety of placing the United States in a posture of effectual preparation for an event which, notwithstanding the endeavors making to avert it, may, by circumstances beyond our control, be forced upon us.

G. WASHINGTON.

UNITED STATES, May 21, 1794.

The Message and papers therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie for consideration.

MONDAY, June 9.

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

Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives, that the Senate likewise, having finished the business of the session, are about to adjourn; and, he having reported that he had delivered the message, the PRESIDENT of the Senate, conformably to the resolution of the 5th instant, adjourned the Senate to the day appointed by law for the next meeting of Congress.

THIRD CONGRESS.--FIRST SESSION.

PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MONDAY, December 2, 1793.

This being the day appointed by the constitution for the meeting of the present Congress, the following members appeared and took their seats:

From New Hampshire.--NICHOLAS GILMAN, JOHN S. SHERBURNE, JEREMIAH SMITH, and PAINE WINGATE.

From Massachusetts.--SHEARJASHUB BOURNE, DAVID COBB, HENRY DEARBORN, BENJAMIN GOODHUE, SAMUEL HOLTEN, WILLIAM LYMAN, THEODORE SEDGWICK, GEORGE THATCHER, and ARTEMAS WARD.

From Connecticut.--AMASA LEARNED, URIAH TRACEY, JONATHAN TRUMBULL, and JEREMIAH WADSWORTH.

From Vermont.--ISRAEL SMITH.

From New York.--THEODORUS BAILEY, EZEKIEL GILBERT, HENRY GLENN, JAMES GORDON, SILAS TALBOT, JOHN E. VAN ALLEN, PHILIP VAN CORTLANDT, PETER VAN GAASBECK, and JOHN WATTS.

From New Jersey.--JOHN BEATTY, ELIAS BOUDINOT, LAMBERT CADWALADER, ABRAHAM CLARK, and JONATHAN DAYTON.