Friday, December 11.
Samuel W. Dana, from the State of Connecticut, attended.
Capture of the Macedonian and the Frolic.
The following Message was received from the President of the United States:
To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States:
I transmit to Congress copies of a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, from Captain Decatur, of the frigate United States, reporting his combat and capture of the British frigate Macedonian. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on that officer and his companions on board, for the consummate skill and conspicuous valor by which this trophy has been added to the naval arms of the United States.
I transmit, also, a letter from Captain Jones, who commanded the sloop of war Wasp, reporting his capture of the British sloop of war Frolic, after a close action, in which other brilliant titles will be seen to the public admiration and praise.
A nation, feeling what it owes to itself and to its citizens, could never abandon to arbitrary violence, on the ocean, a class of them which give such examples of capacity and courage, in defending their rights on that element; examples which ought to impress on the enemy, however brave and powerful, preference of justice and peace, to hostility against a country, whose prosperous career may be accelerated, but cannot be prevented by the assaults made on it.
JAMES MADISON.
Washington, Dec. 11, 1812.
The Message and papers were read, and referred to the committee appointed 9th November last, to consider that part of the Message of the President of the United States which relates to the Naval Establishment.