The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of the draft of an Address, in answer to the Speech of the President of the United States to both Houses of Congress, at the opening of the session.
On the motion to expunge the following paragraph, to wit:
"We are happy, since our sentiments on the subject are in perfect unison with yours, in this public manner to declare, that the conduct of the Government has been just and impartial to foreign nations, and that those internal regulations, which have been established for the preservation of peace, are, in their nature, proper, and have been fairly executed."
It was determined in the negative—yeas 11, nays 15, as follows:
Yeas—Messrs. Bloodworth, Blount, Brown, Cocke, Henry, Hunter, Langdon, Martin, Mason, Tazewell, and Tattnall.
Nays—Messrs. Bingham, Bradford, Foster, Goodhue, Hillhouse, Howard, Laurance, Latimer, Livermore, Read, Rutherford, Sedgwick, Stockton, Tichenor, and Tracy.
And the report being further amended, was adopted, as follows:
Sir: The Senate of the United States request you to accept their acknowledgments for the comprehensive and interesting detail you have given in your Speech to both Houses of Congress, on the existing state of the Union.
While we regret the necessity of the present meeting of the Legislature, we wish to express our entire approbation of your conduct in convening it on this momentous occasion.
The superintendence of our national faith, honor, and dignity, being, in a great measure, constitutionally deposited with the Executive, we observe, with singular satisfaction, the vigilance, firmness, and promptitude, exhibited by you, in this critical state of our public affairs, and from thence derive an evidence and pledge of the rectitude and integrity of your administration. And we are sensible it is an object of primary importance, that each branch of the Government should adopt a language and system of conduct which shall be cool, just, and dispassionate, but firm, explicit, and decided.