Saturday, March 2.
Mr. King, from the committee appointed this day on the communication of the President of the United States, relative to his taking the oath of office, reported that the Secretary inform the House of Representatives that the President of the United States will, on Monday next, take the oath of office required by the constitution, in the Senate Chamber, at twelve o'clock; and that he inform the President of the United States that the Senate will be in session at that time. And the report was adopted.
SPECIAL SESSION.
Monday, March 4.
In conformity to the summons from the President of the United States, the Senate assembled in the Senate Chamber.
The Hon. John Langdon, President pro tempore, read the summons of the President of the United States, as follows:
The President of the United States to the President of the Senate:
Certain matters, touching the public good, requiring that the Senate shall be convened on Monday the 4th instant, I have desired their attendance, as I do yours, by these presents, at the Senate Chamber, in Philadelphia, on that day; then and there to receive and deliberate on such communications as shall be made to you on my part.
G. WASHINGTON.
March 1, 1793.
The following Senators were present:
John Langdon, from New Hampshire.
George Cabot, from Massachusetts.
Theodore Foster, from Rhode Island.
Oliver Ellsworth and Roger Sherman, from Connecticut.
Rufus King, from New York.
John Rutherford, from New Jersey.
Robert Morris, from Pennsylvania.
George Read, from Delaware.
John Henry and Richard Potts, from Maryland.
James Monroe, from Virginia.
John Brown and John Edwards, from Kentucky.
Benjamin Hawkins, from North Carolina.
Ralph Izard, from South Carolina.
James Gunn, from Georgia.
Samuel Livermore, from the State of New Hampshire, produced his credentials, and took his seat in the Senate; and the oath was administered to him by the President of the Senate, as the law provides.
Agreeably to notice given by the President of the United States, on the 2d instant, he came to the Senate Chamber and took his seat in the chair usually assigned the President of the Senate, who, on this occasion, was seated at the right, and in advance of the President of the United States; a seat on the left, and also in advance, being provided for Judge Cushing, appointed to administer the oath: the doors of the Senate Chamber being open, the Heads of the Departments, Foreign Ministers, the late Speaker, and such members of the late House of Representatives as were in town, together with as many other spectators as could be accommodated, were present.
After a short pause, the President of the Senate arose, and addressed the President of the United States, as follows:
"Sir: One of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States is now present, and ready to administer to you the oath required by the constitution to be taken by the President of the United States."
On which the President of the United States, rising from his seat, was pleased to address the audience as follows:
"Fellow-Citizens: I am again called upon, by the voice of my country, to execute the functions of its Chief Magistrate. When the occasion proper for it shall arrive, I shall endeavor to express the high sense I entertain of this distinguished honor, and of the confidence which has been reposed in me by the people of United America.
"Previous to the execution of any official act of the President, the constitution requires an oath of office. This oath I am now about to take, and in your presence; that, if it shall be found, during my administration of the Government, I have, in any instance, violated, willingly or knowingly, the injunction thereof, I may (besides incurring constitutional punishment) be subject to the upbraidings of all who are now witnesses of the present solemn ceremony."
Judge Cushing then administered the oath of office required by the constitution; after which, the President of the United States retired, and the spectators dispersed.
After acting upon several nominations received from the President, the Senate adjourned sine die.