Part 200

GEORGE M. BIBB, from the State of Kentucky, arrived on the 29th, and attended this day.

MONDAY, December 7.

THOMAS POSEY, appointed a Senator by the Governor of the State of Louisiana in place of John Destrahan, resigned, produced his credentials, was qualified, and then took his seat in the Senate.

WEDNESDAY, December 9.

Encouragement to Privateers.

On motion by Mr. GILES,

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of offering encouragements at this time to all mariners and seamen to bring within any of the ports of the United States British public and private armed ships, as well as merchant ships or vessels, belonging to the subjects of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; and that the committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise.

Messrs. GILES, LLOYD, SMITH of Maryland, TAIT, and TAYLOR, were appointed the committee.

FRIDAY, December 11.

SAMUEL W. DANA, from the State of Connecticut, attended.

Capture of the Macedonian and the Frolic.

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

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

I transmit to Congress copies of a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, from Captain Decatur, of the frigate United States, reporting his combat and capture of the British frigate Macedonian. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on that officer and his companions on board, for the consummate skill and conspicuous valor by which this trophy has been added to the naval arms of the United States.

I transmit, also, a letter from Captain Jones, who commanded the sloop of war Wasp, reporting his capture of the British sloop of war Frolic, after a close action, in which other brilliant titles will be seen to the public admiration and praise.

A nation, feeling what it owes to itself and to its citizens, could never abandon to arbitrary violence, on the ocean, a class of them which give such examples of capacity and courage, in defending their rights on that element; examples which ought to impress on the enemy, however brave and powerful, preference of justice and peace, to hostility against a country, whose prosperous career may be accelerated, but cannot be prevented by the assaults made on it.

JAMES MADISON.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 1812.

The Message and papers were read, and referred to the committee appointed 9th November last, to consider that part of the Message of the President of the United States which relates to the Naval Establishment.

THURSDAY, December 31.

Death of the Representative, John Smilie.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate of the death of JOHN SMILIE, late a member of the House of Representatives, from the State of Pennsylvania; and that his remains will be interred this day at two o'clock.

Resolved, That the Senate will attend the funeral of JOHN SMILIE, late a member of the House of Representatives from the State of Pennsylvania, this day at two o'clock; and, as a testimony of respect for the memory of the deceased, they will go into mourning, and wear a black crape round the left arm for thirty days.

TUESDAY, January 5, 1813.

The credentials of JOHN GAILLARD, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of South Carolina, for six years, commencing on the 4th day of March next, were presented, read, and ordered to lie on file.

WEDNESDAY, January 6.

The credentials of ABNER LACOCK, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania for the term of six years, commencing on the 4th day of March next, were read, and ordered to lie on file.

MONDAY, January 11.