Monday, December 2, 1799.
The first session of the sixth Congress, conformably to the constitution, commenced this day, and the Senate assembled, in their Chamber, at the city of Philadelphia.
PRESENT:
John Langdon, from New Hampshire.
Benjamin Goodhue, from Massachusetts.
Theodore Foster, from Rhode Island.
James Hillhouse and Uriah Tracy, from Connecticut.
John Laurance and James Watson, from New York.
William Bingham, from Pennsylvania.
Humphrey Marshall, from Kentucky.
Jacob Read, from South Carolina.
James Gunn, from Georgia.
Joseph Anderson, appointed a Senator by the State of Tennessee, for the remainder of the term for which their late Senator, Andrew Jackson, was appointed; Abraham Baldwin, appointed a Senator by the State of Georgia; John Brown, appointed a Senator by the State of Kentucky; Samuel Dexter, appointed a Senator by the State of Massachusetts; Samuel Livermore, appointed a Senator by the State of New Hampshire; and William Hill Wells, appointed a Senator by the State of Delaware; severally produced their credentials, and took their seats in the Senate.
The Vice President being absent, the Senate proceeded to the election of a President pro tempore, as the constitution provides, and Samuel Livermore was chosen.
Ordered, That Mr. Read administer the oath required by law to the President of the Senate pro tempore.
The President administered the oath, as the law prescribes, to Messrs. Anderson, Baldwin, Brown, Dexter, and Wells.
Ordered, That the Secretary wait upon the President of the United States, and acquaint him that a quorum of the Senate is assembled, and that, in the absence of the Vice President, they have elected Samuel Livermore, President of the Senate pro tempore.
Ordered, That the Secretary acquaint the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is assembled and ready to proceed to business, and that, in the absence of the Vice President, they have elected Samuel Livermore, President of the Senate pro tempore.
Resolved, That each Senator be supplied, during the present session, with three such newspapers, printed in any of the States, as he may choose, provided, that the same be furnished at the rate usual for the annual charge of such papers.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that a quorum of the House is assembled, and have elected Theodore Sedgwick their Speaker.
Ordered, That Messrs. Read and Bingham, be a committee on the part of the Senate, together with such committee as the House of Representatives may appoint 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 a letter signed John Trumbull, presenting to the Senate of the United States impressions of two prints of the American Revolution, which he had lately caused to be published; and the letter was read.
Ordered, That it lie on the table.
The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.