United States, }
The 27th day of March, 1800.} SS.
Whereas the Senate of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1800, then being in session in the city of Philadelphia, did resolve that a publication in the General Advertiser, or Aurora, a newspaper printed in the said city of Philadelphia, on Wednesday, the 19th day of February, then last past, contained assertions and pretended information respecting the Senate, and Committee of the Senate, and their proceedings, which were false, defamatory, scandalous, and malicious, tending to defame the Senate of the United States, and to bring them into contempt and disrepute, and to excite against them the hatred of the good people of the United States; and that the said publication was a high breach of the privileges of the House.
And whereas the Senate did then further resolve and order, that the said William Duane, resident in the said city, and editor of said newspaper, should appear at the bar of the House, on Monday, the 24th day of March, instant, that he might then have opportunity to make any proper defence for his conduct in publishing the aforesaid false, defamatory, scandalous, and malicious assertions and pretended information.
And whereas the said William Duane did appear on said day at the bar of the House, pursuant to said order, and requested counsel; and the Senate, by their resolution of the 24th day of March, instant,
Resolved, That William Duane, having appeared at the bar of the Senate, and requested to be heard by counsel on the charge against him for a breach of privileges of the Senate, he be allowed the assistance of counsel while personally attending at the bar of the Senate, who might be heard in denial of any facts charged against said Duane, or in excuse and extenuation of his offence, and that the said William Duane should attend at the bar of the Senate on Wednesday, then next, at 12 o'clock, of which the said Duane had due notice.
And whereas said William Duane, in contempt of the said last mentioned order, did neglect and refuse to appear at the bar of the said Senate, at the time specified therein; and the Senate of the United States, on the 27th day of March, instant, did thereupon resolve that the said William Duane was guilty of a contempt of said order and of the Senate, and that for said contempt he, the said William, should be taken into custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms attending the Senate, to be kept for their further orders. All which appears by the journals of the Senate of the United States, now in session in the said city of Philadelphia.
These are, therefore, to require you, James Mathers, Sergeant-at-Arms for the Senate of the United States, forthwith to take into your custody the body of the said William Duane, now resident in the said city of Philadelphia, and him safely to keep, subject to the further order of the Senate; and all marshals, deputy marshals, and civil officers, of the United States, and every other person, are hereby required to be aiding and assisting to you in the execution thereof; for which it shall be your sufficient warrant.
Given under my hand, this 27th day of March, 1800.
THOMAS JEFFERSON,
President of the Senate of the U. S.