Mr. Thatcher apprehend the meaning of these two words to be the same, and the reception of either was only important as it related to the measure or harmony of the period. Now those gentlemen who are qualified to decide this point, might vote for the substitute; but for his part he was very well satisfied with it as it stood.
Mr. Sturges wished the sentence struck out altogether, because he did not conceive the assertion to be true; for he did believe that there was something which could and ought to be more gratifying to the representatives of a free people than the reflection that their labors are rewarded by the approbation of their fellow-citizens; to be sure it was a grateful reflection, but there was one much more so, which was, that their labors had tended to advance the real interests of the people. If it is, as it ought to be, our highest ambition to promote the general interest, it must be most gratifying to us to learn that we have attained that desirable end.
Mr. Page had only heard some expressions from the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Wadsworth) which he imagined had a tendency to discourage the House from making necessary alterations; but he was convinced, from the known candor and impartiality of that gentleman, that he must not have fully comprehended his intentions, and therefore begged to apologize to him for any thing he might have said partaking of severity.
The question was now put for striking out "gratifying" and inserting "grateful," and passed in the negative.
The committee then agreed to the report, rose, and the Chairman reported it without amendment.
Mr. Speaker being seated in the chair, the address was read again and unanimously agreed to by the House.
It was then moved that a committee be appointed to wait on the President of the United States, to learn from him at what time, and in what place he would receive this address. Messrs. Smith, (of South Carolina,) Clymer, and Lawrence, were appointed the committee on this occasion.
Wednesday, January 13.
Benjamin Huntington, from Connecticut; Lambert Cadwalader, from New Jersey; Daniel Heister, from Pennsylvania, and William Smith, from Maryland, appeared and took their seats.
Mr. Smith (of South Carolina) reported that the President would be ready to receive their address to-morrow at 12 o'clock.