Part 204

Slavery in Indiana.

The Senate took into consideration the report of the committee to whom was referred, on the 7th instant, the resolutions of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Indiana Territory, on the propriety of suspending the 6th article of compact contained in the ordinance for the government of the North-western Territory, and agreed thereto; and,

Resolved, That it is not expedient, at this time, to suspend the 6th article of compact for the government of the Territory of the United States north-west of the river Ohio.

THURSDAY, November 19.

The credentials of ELISHA MATHEWSON, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Rhode Island, in the place of JAMES FENNER, elected Governor, were read.

FRIDAY, November 20.

Mr. MATHEWSON, from the State of Rhode Island, took his seat in the Senate, and the oath prescribed by law was administered to him.

FRIDAY, November 27.

CHAUNCEY GOODRICH, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Connecticut, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of the late Hon. Uriah Tracy, attended, and his credentials were read; and the oath prescribed by law was administered to him.

Case of John Smith.

Mr. MACLAY offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire and report to the Senate their opinion whether John Smith, a Senator from the State of Ohio, ought not to be expelled from the Senate, in consequence of the part which he took in the conspiracy of Aaron Burr, against the peace and prosperity of the United States, or what other steps, in their opinion, it may be necessary and proper, under the present circumstances, for the Senate to adopt.

Mr. HOPE moved to amend this resolution; to make way for which amendment, Mr. MACLAY withdrew his resolution.

Mr. THRUSTON offered the following resolution as an amendment, omitting that part in italics, which Mr. JONES moved as an amendment to the amendment:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether it be compatible with the honor and privileges of this House, that John Smith, a Senator from the State of Ohio, against whom bills of indictment were found at the Circuit Court of Virginia, held at Richmond in August last, for treason and misdemeanor, should be permitted any longer to hold a seat therein; and that the committee do inquire into all the facts regarding the conduct of Mr. Smith, as an alleged associate of Aaron Burr, and report the same to the Senate.

Mr. HILLHOUSE objected to the resolution on the ground of allowing the committee too wide a latitude.

Mr. ADAMS vindicated the resolution from this objection.

The question was then taken on the resolution offered by Mr. THRUSTON, and amended by Mr. JONES, and carried without a division; and Messrs. ADAMS, MACLAY, FRANKLIN, S. SMITH, POPE, THRUSTON, and ANDERSON, were appointed the committee.

WEDNESDAY, December 9.

WILLIAM H. CRAWFORD, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Georgia, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Abraham Baldwin, attended and produced his credentials, which were read, and the oath prescribed by law was administered to him.

FRIDAY, December 18.

Embargo.

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

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:

The communications now made, showing the great and increasing dangers with which our vessels, our seamen, and merchandise, are threatened on the high seas and elsewhere, from the belligerent powers of Europe, and it being of the greatest importance to keep in safety these essential resources, I deem it my duty to recommend the subject to the consideration of Congress, who will doubtless perceive all the advantages which may be expected from an inhibition of the departure of our vessels from the ports of the United States.

Their wisdom will also see the necessity of making every preparation for whatever events may grow out of the present crisis.

TH. JEFFERSON.

DECEMBER 18, 1807.