Friday, February 10.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion made yesterday, that the Secretary of the Senate wait on the President of the United States, and notify him of the election of President and Vice President of the United States, to commence with the 4th day of March next.
On motion, to insert "a committee" in place of "the Secretary," it passed in the negative. And the motion being amended, was adopted as follows:
Ordered, That the Secretary of the Senate lay before the President of the United States a copy of the journal of the 8th instant, relative to the opening and counting the votes for President and Vice President of the United States, and the declaration of the President of the Senate consequent thereon; and, also a copy of the notification given by the President elect of the time, place, and manner of qualifying to execute the duties of his office.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that they agree to the report of the joint committee appointed by the two Houses to confer on a proper mode of notifying the Vice President elect of his election.
Mr. Sedgwick, from the committee of conference above mentioned, reported that the following resolution should be adopted by the House of Representatives:
"Resolved, That the notification of the election of the Vice President elect be made by such person and in such manner as the Senate may direct."
On motion, that it be
"Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate (in such manner as he shall judge most proper) to the person elected Vice President of the United States, for the term of four years, to commence 4th day of March next, information of his said election:"
It passed in the negative.
Ordered, That the resolution this day agreed to by the House of Representatives, relative to the notification of the election of the Vice President elect, be referred to Messrs. Mason, Hillhouse, and Sedgwick, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.
Mr. Mason reported, from the committee last appointed; and, the report being read, was amended and adopted as follows:
Resolved, That the President Of the United States be requested to cause to be transmitted to Thomas Jefferson, Esq., of Virginia, Vice President elect of the United States, notification of his election to that office; and that the President of the Senate do make out and sign a certificate in the words following:
Be it known, that the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, being convened in the city of Philadelphia, on the second Wednesday in February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, the underwritten Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate did, in the presence of the said Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and count all the votes of the Electors for a President and for a Vice President; by which it appears that Thomas Jefferson, Esquire, was duly elected, agreeably to the constitution, Vice President of the United States of America.
"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 10th day of February, 1797."
Ordered, That the Secretary lay this resolution before the President of the United States.