It was then moved and agreed to, that the Speaker, attended by the House, do present the address, as amended, to the President, and that a committee should be appointed to wait on the President, to know where and when he will be ready to receive the Address of the House.
The same gentlemen, viz: Mr. Madison, Mr. Sedgwick, and Mr. Sitgreaves, who had been first appointed to draft the Address, were named for waiting on the President.
The committee that had been appointed to wait on the President, returned with notice that he would be ready to receive their Address, at his own house to-morrow at 12 o'clock.
The House then adjourned.
Thursday, December 17.
Wade Hampton, from South Carolina, and John Hathorn, from New York, appeared, produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats.
Address to the President.
At twelve o'clock, the Speaker, attended by the House, waited upon the President of the United States, and delivered to him the following Address, in answer to his Speech to both Houses at the opening of the session:
Sir: As the Representatives of the people of the United States, we cannot but participate in the strongest sensibility to every blessing which they enjoy, and cheerfully join with you in profound gratitude to the Author of all Good for the numerous and extraordinary blessings which He has conferred on our favored country.
A final and formal termination of the distressing war which has ravaged our North-western frontier, will be an event which must afford satisfaction proportioned to the anxiety with which it has long been sought; and in the adjustment of the terms, we perceive the true policy of making them satisfactory to the Indians as well as to the United States, as the best basis of a durable tranquillity. The disposition of such of the Southern tribes as had also heretofore annoyed our frontier, is another prospect in our situation so important to the interest and happiness of the United States, that it is much to be lamented that any clouds should be thrown over it, more especially by excesses on the part of our own citizens.