A committee was accordingly appointed, of Mr. Venable, Mr. Swift, Mr. Dent, Mr. Dearborn, Mr. Blount, Mr. Muhlenberg, and Mr. A. Foster.
Mr. Macon moved that a Committee of Revisal and Unfinished Business of last session be appointed, pursuant to the Standing Rules and Orders of the House, observing that, as the session would be but short, it would be necessary to be early in the appointment of committees.
Whereon Mr. Gilman, Mr. R. Sprigg, Jr., and Mr. Macon were appointed.
Notice was received that a quorum of the Senate was formed.
On motion, it was, therefore, resolved, that a committee of three members be appointed to wait on the President of the United States, in conjunction with a committee from the Senate, to inform him that a quorum of both Houses was assembled, and ready to receive any communications that he may please to make. Mr. Ames, Mr. Madison, and Mr. Sitgreaves, were accordingly appointed.
A message was received from the Senate informing the House that they had formed a quorum: whereupon the Clerk went to the Senate with the resolution of this House. The Secretary soon after returned, informing the House that the Senate had concurred in the resolution, and formed a committee for that purpose.
Mr. Ames, from the committee appointed for that purpose, reported that the committee had waited on the President, who was pleased to signify to them that he would make a communication to both Houses of Congress to-morrow, at 12 o'clock, in the Representatives' Chamber.
Wednesday, December 7.
Another member, to wit, Samuel Sewall, from Massachusetts, in place of Benjamin Goodhue, appointed a Senator of the United States, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat.
A message was sent to the Senate, informing them that this House was ready, agreeably to appointment, to receive communications from the President; whereon the Senate attended, and took their seats. At 12 o'clock the President attended, and, after taking his seat, rose and delivered the following Address: