H. OF R.] SATURDAY, April 16. Relations with France. Adjournment. [APRIL, 1814 "The day on which I intended to present this note I was informed that the Duke of Vicenza had set out from Paris, at 4 o'clock, A. M., for the headquarters of The following Message was received from the the two Emperors, which was then said to be in SwitPRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To the House of Representatives of the United States: APRIL 16, 1814. The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 13th instant, requesting information touching our relations with France, has the honor to submit to the President an extract of a letter from the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at Paris, which contains the latest, and the only material, information received by this Department on that subject. All which is respectfully submitted. JAMES MONROE. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, April 16, 1814. Extract of a letter from Mr. Crawford to the Secretary of State. "PARIS, January 16, 1814. "On the 29th ultimo, I had an interview with the Minister of Exterior Relations, who informed me that he had made to the Emperor a detailed report of the negotiation, and that he would inform me of his Majesty's decision, the moment it should be made known to him. His conversation during this interview was as conciliatory as it could be, and his expressions, though still general, admitted that indemnity was determined upon. The address of the Senator Count Segur to the inhabitants of the eighteenth military division of the Empire, published in the Moniteur of the 15th instant, stated that His Majesty was going to place himself at the head of his troops. Knowing that I should not be able to advance a single step in the negotiation during his absence, unless he should, before his departure from Paris, decide upon the classes of cases for which indemnity should be made, I determined to address a note to the Duke of Vicenza, with a view to impress more strongly upon his mind the necessity of an immediate decision. zerland. The general impression in Paris that day was that the Emperor would set out immediately for Metz, where his army of reserve has been forming ever since he crossed the Rhine. This circumstance induced me to believe that the note would not produce any good effect. I, therefore, determined not to present it. The Emperor is still in Paris, and I regret extremely that I did not adhere to my first determination, notwithstanding the absence of the Minister of Foreign Relations. From the situation of affairs here, it is impossible to foresee the delays to which this perplexing business will yet be subject. In the first and only interview which I had with the Duke of Bassa no, he said expressly that the obstacles which his absence had thrown in the way of the negotiation should not occur again. Two months have not elapsed before the same obstacles are presented." MONDAY, April 18. Adjournment. The usual order was then adopted to appoint a joint committee to wait on the President of the United States, to inform him both Houses, having completed the business before them, were about to adjourn. Mr. ANDERSON and Mr. WHARTON were appointed on the part of the Senate, and Messrs. EPPES, OAKLEY, and RoBERTSON, on the part of this House. Mr. ÉPPES, from the committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, reported that they had performed the duty as signed to them, and received for answer, that he had no further communications to make, to the House. And the House, after receiving back all the bills which had been laid before the President, adjourned until the last Monday in October next. SEPTEMBER, 1814.] President's Message. [SENATE. THIRTEENTH CONGRESS.-THIRD SESSION. BEGUN AT THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 19, 1814. PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE. A PROCLAMATION By the President of the United States of America. WHEREAS great and weighty matters, claiming the consideration of the Congress of the United States, form an extraordinary occasion for convening them, I do, by these presents, appoint Monday, the nineteenth day of September next, for their meeting at the city of Washington: hereby requiring the respective Senators and Representatives then and there to assemble in Congress, in order to receive such communications as may then be made to them, and to consult and determine on such measures as in their wisdom may be deemed meet for the welfare of the United States. In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed, and [L. 8.] signed the same with my hand. Done at the city of Washington, the eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, and of the independence of the United States the thirty-ninth. By the President: JAMES MADISON. JAMES MONROE, Secretary of State. MONDAY, September 19, 1814. Conformably to the above Proclamation of the President of the United States of the 8th of August last, the third session of the Thirteenth Congress commenced this day at the city of Washington, and the Senate assembled. PRESENT. JOSEPH B. VARNUM, from Massachusetts. JEREMIAH B. HOWELL, from Rhode Island. JONATHAN ROBINSON, from Vermont. ABNER LACOCK and JONATHAN ROBERTS, from Pennsylvania. OUTERBRIDGE HORSEY, from Delaware. RICHARD BRENT and WILLIAM B. GILES, from Virginia. JAMES TURNER, from North Carolina. JESSE BLEDSOE, from Kentucky. JOSEPH ANDERSON and JESSE WHARTON, from Tennessee. JEREMIAH MORROW and THOMAS WORTHINGTON, from Ohio. JAMES BROWN and ELEGIUS FROMENTIN, from Louisiana. JOHN GAILLARD, President pro tempore, resumed the Chair. THOMAS W. THOMPSON, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of New Hampshire, in place of Nicholas Gilman, deceased, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the Senate. On motion, by Mr. BLEDSOE, Resolved, As the former Secretary of the Senate has departed this life, that the Chief Clerk do act as Secretary thereof until one shall be appointed. Whereupon, the oath prescribed by law was administered to SAMUEL TURNER, Jr. On motion, by Mr. ANDERSON, the Secretary was directed to acquaint the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is assembled, and ready to proceed to business. On motion, by Mr. ROBINSON, Messrs. ROBINSON and VARNUM were appointed a committee on the part of the Senate, together with such committee as may be appointed by the House of Representatives on their part, 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 communications that he may be pleased to make to them. The PRESIDENT communicated the following letter from the President of the United States; which was read: WASHINGTON, September 17, 1814. SIR: The destruction of the Capitol by the enemy, having made it necessary that other accommodations should be provided for the meeting of Congress, Chambers for the Senate and for the House of Representatives, with other requisite apartments, have been fitted up, under the direction of the Superintend ent of the city, in the public building heretofore allotted for the Post and other public offices. JAMES MADISON. The PRESIDENT Of the Senate of the United States. President's Message. [SEPTEMBER, 1814. them, has little ground for exultation, unless he can feel it in the success of his recent enterprises against this metropolis and the neighboring town of Alexandria, from both of which his retreats were as precipitate as his attempts were bold and fortunate. In his other incursions on our Atlantic frontier, his progress, often checked and chastised by the martial spirit of the neighboring citizens, has had more effect in distressing individuals, and in dishonoring his arms, than in promoting any object of legitimate warfare. And, in the two instances mentioned, however deeply to be regretted on our part, he will find in his transient success, which interrupted for a moment only the ordinary public business at the Seat of Government, no compensation for the loss of character with the world, by his violations of private property, and by his destruction of public edifices, The following Message was received from the protected, as monuments of the arts, by the laws of PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: and House of Representatives: Notwithstanding the early day which had been fixed for your session of the present year, I was induced to call you together still sooner, as well that any inadequacy in the exising provisions for the wants of the Treasury might be supplied, as that no delay might happen in providing for the result of the negotiations on foot with Great Britain, whether it should require arrangements adapted to a return of peace, or further and more effective provisions for prosecuting the war. That result is not yet known. If, on one hand, the repeal of the Orders in Council, and the general pacification in Europe, which withdrew the occasion on which impressments from American vessels were practised, suggest expectations that peace and amity may be re-established, we were compelled, on the other hand, by the refusal of the British Government to accept the offered mediation of the Emperor of Russia; by the delays in giving effect to its own proposal of a direct negotiation; and, above all, by the principles and manner in which the war is now avowedly carried on, to infer that a spirit of hostility is indulged more violent than ever against the rights and prosperity of this country. This increased violence is best explained by the two important circumstances, that the great contest in Europe for an equilibrium guaranteeing all its States against the ambition of any, has been closed without any check on the overbearing power of Great Britain on the ocean; and it has left in her hands disposable armaments with which, forgetting the difficulties of a remote war with a free people, and yielding to the intoxication of success, with the example of a great victim to it before her eyes, she cherishes hopes of still further aggrandizing a power already formidable in its abuses to the tranquillity of the civilized and commercial world. But, whatever may have inspired the enemy with these more violent purposes, the public councils of a nation, more able to maintain than it was to acquire its independence, and with a devotion to it rendered more ardent by the experience of its blessings, can never deliberate but on the means most effectual for defeating the extravagant views or unwarrantable passions with which alone the war can now be pursued against us. In the events of the present campaign, the enemy, with all his augmented means, and wanton use of civilized warfare. On our side, we can appeal to a series of achievements which have given new lustre to the American arms. Besides the brilliant incidents in the minor operations of the campaign, the splendid victories gained on the Canadian side of the Niagara, by the American forces under Major General Brown, and Brigadiers Scott and Gaines, have gained for these heroes, and their emulating companions, the most unfading laurels; and, having triumphantly tested the progressive discipline of the American soldiery, have taught the enemy that the longer he protracts his hostile efforts, the more certain and decisive will be his final discomfiture. On our southern border, victory has continued also to follow the American standard. The bold and skilful operations of Major General Jackson, conducting troops drawn from the militia of the States least distant, particularly of Tennessee, have subdued the principal tribes of hostile savages, and, by establishing a peace with them, preceded by recent and exemplary chastisement, has best guarded against the mischief of their co-operation with the British enterprises which may be planned against that quarter of our country. Important tribes of Indians on our Northwestern frontier have also acceded to stipulations which bind them to the interests of the United States, and to consider our enemy as theirs also. In the recent attempt of the enemy on the city of Baltimore, defended by militia and volunteers, aided by a small body of regulars and seamen, he was received with a spirit which produced a rapid retreat to his ships; whilst a concurrent attack by a large fleet was successfully resisted by the steady and welldirected fire of the fort and batteries opposed to it. In another recent attack by a powerful force on our troops at Plattsburg, of which regulars made a part only, the enemy, after a perseverance for many hours, was finally compelled to seek safety in a hasty retreat, with our gallant bands pressing upon him. On the Lakes, so much contested throughout the war, the great exertions for the command made on our part have been well repaid. On Lake Ontario, our squadron is now, and has been for some time, in a condition to confine that of the enemy to his own port, and to favor the operations of our land forces on that frontier. A part of the squadron on Lake Erie has been extended into Lake Huron, and has produced the advantage of displaying our command on that lake also. One object of the expedition was the reduction of Mackinaw, which failed, with the loss of a few brave SEPTEMBER, 1814.] President's Message. [SENATE. men, among whom was an officer justly distinguished | Congress, and the expenses incident to an extension for his gallant exploits. The expedition, ably conducted by both the land and the naval commanders, was otherwise highly valuable in its effects. On Lake Champlain, where our superiority had for some time been undisputed, the British squadron lately came into action with the American, commanded by Captain Macdonough. It issued in the capture of the whole of the enemy's ships. The best praise for this officer, and his intrepid comrades, is in the likeness of his triumph to the illustrious victory which immortalized another officer, and established, at a critical moment, our command of another lake. of the operations of the war, will render it necessary that large sums should be provided to meet them. From this view of the national affairs, Congress will be urged to take up, without delay, as well the subject of pecuniary supplies as that of military force, and on a scale commensurate with the extent and the character which the war has assumed. It is not to be disguised that the situation of our country calls for its greatest efforts. Our enemy is powerful in men and in money, on the land and on the water. Availing himself of fortuitous advantages, he is aiming, with his undivided force, a deadly blow at our growing prosperity, perhaps at our national existence. He has avowed his purpose of trampling on the usages of civilized warfare, and given earnests of it in the plunder and wanton destruction of private prop On the ocean, the pride of our naval arms has been amply supported. A second frigate has indeed fallen into the hands of the enemy, but the loss is hidden in the blaze of heroism with which she was defended. Captain Porter, who commanded her, and whose pre-erty. In his pride of maritime dominion, and in vions career had been distinguished by daring enterprise and by fertility of genius, maintained a sanguinary contest against two ships, one of them superior to his own, and under other severe disadvantages, till humanity tore down the colors which valor had nailed to the mast. This officer and his brave comrades have added much to the rising glory of the American flag, and have merited all the effusions of gratitude which their country is ever ready to bestow on the champions of its rights and of its safety. Two smaller vessels of war have also become prizes to the enemy; but, by a superiority of force which sufficiently vindicates the reputation of their commanders; whilst two others, one commanded by Captain Warrington, the other by Captain Blakely, have captured British ships of the same class, with a gallantry and good conduct which entitle them and their companions to a just share in the praise of their country. his thirst of commercial monopoly, he strikes with peculiar animosity at the progress of our navigation and of our manufactures. His barbarous policy has not even spared those monuments of the arts and models of taste with which our country had enriched and embellished its infant metropolis. From such an adversary, hostility, in its greatest force and in its worst forms, may be looked for. The American people will face it with the undaunted spirit which in their Revolutionary struggle defeated his unrighteous projects. His threats and his barbarities, instead of dismay, will kindle in every bosom an indignation not to be extinguished but in the disaster and expulsion of such cruel invaders. In providing the means necessary, the National Legislature will not distrust the heroic and enlightened patriotism of its constituents. They will cheerfully and proudly bear every burden of every kind which the safety and honor of the nation demand. We have seen them every where greatest promptness and alacrity. We see them rushing with enthusiasm to the scenes where danger and duty call. In offering their blood, they give the surest pledge that no other tribute will be withheld. In spite of the naval force of the enemy accumula-paying their taxes, direct and indirect, with the ted on our coasts, our private cruisers also have not ceased to annoy his commerce, and to bring their rich prizes into our ports; contributing thus, with other proofs, to demonstrate the incompetency and illegality of a blockade, the proclamation of which is made the pretext for vexing and discouraging the commerce of neutral powers with the United States. To meet the extended and diversified warfare adopted by the enemy, great bodies of militia have been taken into service for the public defence, and great expenses incurred. That the defence every where may be both more convenient and more economical, Congress will see the necessity of immediate measures for filling the ranks of the regular Army, and of enlarging the provision for special corps, mounted and unmounted, to be engaged for longer periods of service than are due from the militia. I earnestly renew, at the same time, a recommendation of such changes in the system of the militia, as, by classing and disciplining for the most prompt and active service the portions most capable of it, will give to that great resource for the public safety all the requisite energy and efficiency. The moneys received into the Treasury during the nine months ending on the 30th day of June last, amounted to thirty-two millions of dollars, of which near eleven millions were the proceeds of the public revenue, and the remainder derived from loans. The disbursements for public expenditures during the same period exceeded thirty-four millions of dollars, and left in the Treasury, on the first day of July, near five millions of dollars. The demands during the remainder of the present year, already authorized by Having forborne to declare war until to other aggressions had been added the capture of nearly a thousand American vessels, and the impressment of thousands of American seafaring citizens, and until a final declaration had been made by the Government of Great Britain, that her hostile orders against our commerce would not be revoked, but on conditions as impossible as unjust; whilst it was known that these orders would not otherwise cease, but with a war which had lasted nearly twenty years, and which, according to appearances at that time, might last as many more; having manifested, on every occasion, and in every proper mode, a sincere desire to arrest the effusion of blood, and meet our enemy on the ground of justice and reconciliation, our beloved country, in still opposing to his persevering hostility all its energies, with an undiminished disposition towards peace and friendship on honorable terms, must carry with it the good wishes of the impartial world, and the best hopes of support from an omnipotent and kind Providence. JAMES MADISON. WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 1814. The Message was read, and five hundred copies thereof ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate. WEDNESDAY, September 21. DUDLEY CHACE, from the State of Vermont; SENATE.] Death of Samuel A. Otis. [OCTOBER, 1814. OBADIAH GERMAN, from the State of New | tires of the United States of America in Congress as- THURSDAY, September 22. sembled, That the thanks of Congress be, and the same are hereby presented to Captain Thomas Macdonough, and, through him, to the officers, petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as marines, attached to the squadron under his command, for the decisive and splendid victory gained on Lake Champlain, on the 11th of September, in the year one JOHN CONDIT, from the State of New Jersey, thousand eight hundred and fourteen, over a British took his seat in the Senate. The Senate resumed the motion made yesterday for the appointment of a committee to inquire into the state of the preparations for the defence of the city of Washington; and, on motion, by Mr. WORTHINGTON, the motion was amended and agreed to as follows: Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the state of preparations for the defence of the city of Washington, and whether any further provisions by law be necessary for that object, with leave to report by bill or otherwise. MONDAY, September 26. squadron of superior force. Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emand to present them to Captain Macdonough and blematical of the action between the two squadrons, Captain Robert Henly, and also to Lieutenant Stephen Cassin, in such manner as may be most honorable to them; and that the President be further requested to present a silver medal, with suitable emblems and devises, to each of the commissioned of ficers of the Navy and Army serving on board; and a sword to each of the Midshipmen and Sailingmasters, who so nobly distinguished themselves in that memorable conflict. Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to present a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Peter Gamble, and of Lieutenant John Stansbury, and to communicate to them the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of those gallant men, whose names ought to live in the recollection and affection of a grateful country. Resolved, That - months' pay be allowed, exclusively of the common allowance, to all the petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as the American flag on that memorable day. marines, who so gloriously supported the honor of Mr. TAIT also communicated a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, together with copies of documents in relation to the victory obtained by the United States squadron, under the command JOHN TAYLOR, from the State of South Caro- of Captain Thomas Macdonough, over that of lina, took his seat in the Senate. MONDAY, October 3. WILLIAM HILL WELLS, from the State of Delaware, took his seat in the Senate. TUESDAY, October 4. the enemy, on Lake Champlain; which was read, and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate. FRIDAY, October 7. The resolutions expressive of the sense of Congress of the gallant conduct of Captain Thomas JEREMIAH MASON, from the State of New Macdonough, the officers, seamen, and marines, Hampshire, took his seat in the Senate. THURSDAY, October 6. and infantry serving as marines, on board the United States squadron on Lake Champlain, were read the second time, and considered as in CHRISTOPHER GORE, from the State of Mas-Committee of the Whole; and no amendment sachusetts; WILLIAM HUNTER, from the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; and RUFUS KING, from the State of New York, severally attended. Victory on Lake Champlain. Mr.TAIT, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported, in part, the following resolutions, which were read, and passed to the second reading: Resolutions expressive of the sense of Congress of the gallant conduct of Captain Thomas Macdonough, the officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as marines, on board the United States squadron on Lake Champlain. Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representa having been proposed, the President reported Death of Samuel A. Otis. Resolved, unanimously, That the Senate, from a sincere desire of testifying their respect for the long and faithful services of their late Secretary, SAMUEL A. OTIS, Esq., who performed the duties of that office with punctuality and exactness, from the commencement of this Government until the close of the last session of Congress, |