John Henry, from the State of Maryland, attended, and took his seat.
Agreeably to the order of the day, the Senate took into consideration the Address reported by the committee to the President of the United States, in answer to his Speech to both Houses of Congress; which, being recommitted and amendments reported, was agreed to, as amended.
Ordered, That the same committee wait on the President of the United States, and desire him to acquaint the Senate at what time and place it will be most convenient for him that it should be presented.
Mr. Strong, from the above-mentioned committee, reported that the President of the United States proposed to receive the Address of the Senate at 11 o'clock to-morrow.
Friday, November 9.
The Senate waited on the President of the United States at his own house, and the President pro tempore, in their name, communicated to him the Address agreed to on the 8th instant, which is as follows:
To the President of the United States:
Accept, sir, our grateful acknowledgments for your Address at the opening of the present session. We participate with you in the satisfaction arising from the continuance of the general prosperity of the nation, but it is not without the most sincere concern that we are informed that the reiterated efforts which have been made to establish peace with the hostile Indians, have hitherto failed to accomplish that desired object. Hoping that the measures still depending may prove more successful than those which have preceded them, we shall nevertheless concur in every necessary preparation for the alternative; and, should the Indians on either side of the Ohio persist in their hostilities, fidelity to the Union, as well as affection to our fellow-citizens on the frontiers, will ensure our decided co-operation in every measure which shall be deemed requisite for their protection and safety.
At the same time that we avow the obligation of the Government to afford its protection to every part of the Union, we cannot refrain from expressing our regret that even a small portion of our fellow-citizens in any quarter of it should have combined to oppose the operation of the law for the collection of duties on spirits distilled within the United States: a law repeatedly sanctioned by the authority of the nation, and, at this juncture, materially connected with the safety and protection of those who oppose it. Should the means already adopted fail in securing obedience to this law, such further measures as may be thought necessary to carry the same into complete operation cannot fail to receive the approbation of the Legislature, and the support of every patriotic citizen.
It yields us particular pleasure to learn, that the productiveness of the revenue of the present year will probably supersede the necessity of any additional tax for the service of the next.