Part 264

The said JONATHAN DAYTON was conducted to the chair, from whence he made his acknowledgments to the House, as follows:

GENTLEMEN: It is with real diffidence that I undertake the execution of the duties which you have done me the honor to assign to me.

In discharging them to the best of my abilities, I anticipate, on your part, a liberal and indulgent temper towards those decisions which may be required from the Chair, and flatter myself that I shall experience, upon all occasions, your co-operation and support.

The House proceeded, in the same manner, to the appointment of a Clerk; and, upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes of the whole House was found in favor of JOHN BECKLEY.

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 then administered by ISAAC SMITH, one of the Representatives from the State of New Jersey, to the SPEAKER, and then by Mr. SPEAKER to all the members present.

The same oath, together with the oath of office prescribed by the said recited act, were also administered by Mr. SPEAKER to the Clerk.

A message was received from the Senate, informing the House that a quorum of members of that body is assembled, and the VICE PRESIDENT being absent, they have proceeded to the choice of a PRESIDENT pro tempore, and that HENRY TAZEWELL has been duly elected.

Ordered, That a message be sent to the Senate to inform that body that a quorum of this House is assembled, and have elected JONATHAN DAYTON their SPEAKER; and that the Clerk of this House do go with the message.

Another message from the Senate was received, informing this House that they have appointed a committee on their part, to act jointly with such committee as may be appointed by this House, to wait on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, to inform him that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled, and ready to receive any communication he may think proper to make to them.

Ordered, That Mr. MADISON, Mr. SEDGWICK, and Mr. SITGREAVES, be appointed a committee on the part of this House, for the purpose expressed in the message of the Senate.

Petitions from sundry persons, praying to be appointed to the offices of Sergeant-at-Arms and Doorkeeper, were presented to the House and read: Whereupon,

The House proceeded, by ballot, to the choice of a Sergeant-at-Arms, Doorkeeper, and Assistant Doorkeeper; and, upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes of the whole House was found in favor of JOSEPH WHEATON, as Sergeant-at-Arms, THOMAS CLAXTON, as Doorkeeper, and THOMAS DUNN, as Assistant Doorkeeper.

Ordered, That the said JOSEPH WHEATON, THOMAS CLAXTON, and THOMAS DUNN, do severally give their attendance accordingly.

Mr. MADISON, from the joint committee appointed to wait on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and notify him that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled, and ready to receive any communication he may think proper to make to them, reported that the committee had, according to order, performed that service, and that the PRESIDENT signified to them that he would make a communication to both Houses of Congress to-morrow, at 12 o'clock, in the Representatives' Chamber.

TUESDAY, December 8.

Several other members, to wit: from Maryland, SAMUEL SMITH; from Virginia, RICHARD BRENT; and from Georgia, JOHN MILLEDGE, appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats in the House; the oath to support the Constitution of the United States being first administered to them by Mr. SPEAKER, according to law.

Ordered, That a message be sent to the Senate to inform them that this House is now ready to attend them in receiving the communication from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, agreeably to his notification to both Houses yesterday; and that the Clerk of this House do go with the said message.

The Clerk accordingly went with the said message; and, being returned,

The Senate attended and took seats in the House; when, both Houses being assembled, the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES came into the Representatives' Chamber, and delivered his Speech to the two Houses. [For a copy of this Speech, see the Proceedings of the Senate.]

The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES then withdrew, and the two Houses separated.

Ordered, That the Speech of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES to both Houses be committed to a Committee of the whole House to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, December 9.

JAMES HILLHOUSE, from Connecticut, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat.

Address to the President.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the Speech of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES to both Houses of Congress, Mr. MUHLENBERG in the chair; when, the Speech being read,

Mr. VANS MURRAY moved the following resolution:

"Resolved, That it is the opinion of the committee, that a respectful Address ought to be presented by the House of Representatives to the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, in answer to his Speech to both Houses of Congress, at the commencement of this session, containing assurances that this House will take into consideration the various and important matters recommended to their attention:"

Mr. SEDGWICK seconded the motion.