Monday, March 9.
British Intrigues to dismember the Union.
The following Message was received from the President of the United States:
To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States:
I lay before Congress copies of certain documents which remain in the Department of State. They prove that, at a recent period, whilst the United States, notwithstanding the wrongs sustained by them, ceased not to observe the laws of peace and neutrality towards Great Britain, and in the midst of amicable professions and negotiations on the part of the British Government, through its public Minister here, a secret agent of that Government was employed in certain States, more especially at the seat of Government in Massachusetts, in fomenting disaffection to the constituted authorities of the nation, and in intrigues with the disaffected, for the purpose of bringing about resistance to the laws, and eventually, in concert with a British force, of destroying the Union, and forming the eastern part thereof into a political connection with Great Britain.
In addition to the effect which the discovery of such a procedure ought to have on the public councils, it will not fail to render more dear to the hearts of all good citizens that happy Union of these States, which, under Divine Providence, is the guaranty of their liberties, their safety, their tranquillity, and their prosperity.
JAMES MADISON.
March 9, 1812.
The Message and documents therein referred to were read, and one thousand copies of the Message and documents ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate; and on motion of Mr. Campbell of Tennessee, a committee was appointed to examine the documents above referred to, and designate such as may be necessary to be printed.
Messrs. Campbell of Tennessee, Brent, and Bayard, were appointed the committee.
Mr. Lloyd submitted the following motion for consideration:
Resolved, That the Secretary of State be directed to lay before the Senate the names of any and all persons in the United States, and especially in the State of Massachusetts, who have in any way or manner whatever entered into, or most remotely countenanced, the project or the views, for the execution or attainment of which John Henry was, in the year 1809, employed by Sir James Craig, then Governor General of the British provinces in North America, and which have this day been communicated to the Senate of the United States.