It being near twelve o'clock, the Speaker observed that it had been usual on similar occasions to the present, to send a message to the Senate, to inform them that the House is now ready to attend them in receiving the communication of the President, agreeably to his appointment: such a message was agreed to, and sent accordingly.
Soon after, the members of the Senate entered, and took the seats assigned them; and a little after twelve, the President of the United States entered, and took the chair of the Speaker, (which he vacated on the entrance of the Senate, the President and Clerk of the Senate being placed on the right hand of the chair, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Clerk on the left.) After sitting a moment, he rose and delivered the following Speech. [See Senate proceedings, ante.]
Having concluded his Speech, after presenting a copy of it to the President of the Senate, and another to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President retired, as did also the members of the Senate; and the Speaker having resumed his chair, he read the Speech: after which, on motion, it was ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow.
Wednesday, May 17.
Several other members, to wit: from New Hampshire, William Gordon and Jeremiah Smith; from Pennsylvania, Andrew Gregg; appeared, produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats.
The President's Speech.
The House then went into a Committee of the Whole, Mr. Dent in the chair, on the President's Speech. It was read by the Clerk.
Mr. Craik then moved a resolution, which, he observed, was merely a matter of form, as there had been one to the same effect, on every similar occasion. It was, "that it is the opinion of this committee, that a respectful Address should be presented to the President in answer to his Speech to both Houses of Congress, containing assurances, that this House will take into consideration the various and important matters recommended to their consideration." The committee agreed to the resolution. They rose, and it immediately passed the House in the common form.
On motion, it was Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare an Answer to the Speech.
Mr. Venable, Mr. Kittera, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Rutledge, and Mr. Griswold, were nominated to report the Answer.