G. WASHINGTON.
Philadelphia, December 3, 1793.
The President having retired, the two Houses separated.
On motion, a committee of five was appointed to report the draft of an Address to the President, in answer to his Speech to both Houses.
Messrs. Ellsworth, Butler, Izard, Langdon, and Rutherford, were named.
Thursday, December 5.
The following Message was received from the President of the United States:
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
As the present situation of the several nations of Europe, and especially of those with which the United States have important relations, cannot but render the state of things between them and us matter of interesting inquiry to the Legislature, and may indeed give rise to deliberations to which they alone are competent, I have thought it my duty to communicate to them certain correspondences which, have taken place.
The Representative and Executive bodies of France have manifested generally a friendly attachment to this country, have given advantages to our commerce and navigation, and have made overtures for placing these advantages on permanent ground. A decree, however, of the National Assembly, subjecting vessels laden with provisions to be carried into their ports, and making enemy goods lawful prize in the vessel of a friend, contrary to our Treaty, though revoked at one time as to the United States, has been since extended to their vessels also, as has been recently stated to us. Representations on this subject will be immediately given in charge to our Minister there, and the result shall be communicated to the Legislature.