Part 66

“That a call of the Senate take place every morning at the hour to which the Senate is adjourned, and that absent members be not permitted to take their seats until a satisfactory excuse be made, or the opinion of the Senate be had thereon.”

WEDNESDAY, February 20.

Tripolitan War.

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

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

I communicate, for the information of Congress, a letter of September 18th, from Commodore Preble, giving a detailed account of the transactions of the vessels under his command, from July the 9th, to the 10th of September last past.

The energy and judgment displayed by this excellent officer, through the whole course of the service lately confided to him, and the zeal and valor of his officers and men, in the several enterprises executed by them, cannot fail to give high satisfaction to Congress and their country, of whom they have deserved well.

TH. JEFFERSON.

FEBRUARY 20, 1805.

FRIDAY, February 22.

The bill freeing from postage all letters and packets to and from AARON BURR, was read the second time.

SATURDAY, February 23.

Mr. LOGAN gave notice that he should, on Monday next, ask leave to bring in a bill to prohibit the granting clearances to vessels bound to St. Domingo.

MONDAY, February 25.

Commodore Preble.

Mr. JACKSON laid on the table a motion expressive of the high sense Congress entertain of the gallant and meritorious services of Commodore Edward Preble, and the officers, seamen, and marines, under his command; and the motion was read; and it was agreed that it be referred to a select committee.

WEDNESDAY, February 27.

Franking Privilege to Aaron Burr.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill freeing from postage all letters and packets to and from AARON BURR; and, on the question, Shall this bill pass to the third reading? it was determined in the affirmative--yeas 18, nays 9, as follows:

YEAS.--Messrs. Adams, Baldwin, Bradley, Breckenridge, Brown, Cocke, Condit, Dayton, Franklin, Gaillard, Giles, Jackson, Mitchill, Moore, Smith of Maryland, Smith of Ohio, Smith of Vermont, and Wright.

NAYS.--Messrs. Ellery, Hillhouse, Howland, Logan, Olcott, Pickering, Plumer, Sumter, and Worthington.

THURSDAY, February 28.

The VICE PRESIDENT being indisposed, the Senate proceeded to the choice of a President pro tempore as the constitution provides, and the Hon. JOSEPH ANDERSON was elected.

Ordered, That the Secretary wait on the President of the United States, and acquaint him that, the VICE PRESIDENT being absent, the Senate have elected the Hon. JOSEPH ANDERSON President of the Senate pro tempore.

Ordered, That the Secretary make a like communication to the House of Representatives.

The following Messages were received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

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

I now lay before Congress a statement of the militia of the United States, according to the returns last received from the several States. It will be perceived that some of these are not recent dates, and that from the States of Maryland, Delaware, and Tennessee, no returns are stated. As far as appears from our records, none were ever rendered from either of these States.