Thursday, February 9.
The Vice President laid before the Senate the following communication:
Gentlemen of the Senate:
In consequence of the declaration made yesterday in the Chamber of the House of Representatives of the election of a President and Vice President of the United States, the record of which has just now been read from your journal by your Secretary, I have judged it proper to give notice that, on the 4th of March next at 12 o'clock I propose, to attend again in the Chamber of the House of Representatives, in order to take the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President, to be administered by the Chief Justice or such other Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States as can most conveniently attend; and, in case none of those Judges can attend, by the Judge of the District of Pennsylvania, before such Senators and Representatives of the United States as may find it convenient to honor the transaction with their presence.
Ordered, That the Secretary carry an attested copy of this communication to the House of Representatives.
Ordered, That Messrs. Sedgwick, Tazewell, and Read, be a joint committee, with such committee as may be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to consider whether any, and if any, what measures ought to be adopted for the further accommodation of the President of the United States, for the term commencing on the 4th day of March next.
Ordered, That the Secretary desire the concurrence of the House of Representatives in the appointment of a joint committee on their part.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that they have agreed to the report of the joint committee appointed to ascertain and report a mode of examining the votes for President and Vice President of the United States, and of notifying the persons elected of their election.
Mr. Sedgwick, from the joint committee to whom it was referred to join such committee as might be appointed by the House of Representatives to ascertain and report a mode of examining the votes for President and Vice President of the United States, and of notifying the persons elected of their election, reported that, having further concurred with the committee appointed by the House of Representatives, that, in their opinion, the following resolution ought to be adopted by the Senate:
"Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to give, by letter, to the Vice President elect, a notification of his election."
On motion, it was agreed to insert the President of the Senate instead of the Secretary; and,
On motion, it was agreed to reconsider the resolution, and to recommit the report from the joint committee.
Mr. Sedgwick reported, from the joint committee last mentioned, that the committee on the part of the House of Representatives considered themselves discharged from their commission.
Resolved, That the Senate disagree to the report of the joint committee on the mode of notifying the Vice President elect of his election; and that a committee be appointed on the part of the Senate, to confer with such committee as may be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, on the report of the joint committee above mentioned; and that Messrs. Sedgwick, Laurance and Read, be the managers at the conference on the part of the Senate.
Ordered, That the Secretary acquaint the House of Representatives therewith.
On motion, that it be
"Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be directed, and he is hereby directed, to lay before the President of the United States a copy of the journal of yesterday, relative to the opening and counting of votes for President and Vice President of the United States, and the declaration of the President of the Senate thereon; and, also, to present to the President of the United States 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."
Ordered, That the motion lie until to-morrow for consideration.