The President of the Senate then sat down for a moment, and rising again, thus addressed the two Houses:
In obedience to the Constitution and law of the United States, and to the commands of both Houses of Congress, expressed in their resolution passed in the present session, I declare that
John Adams is elected President of the United States, for four years, to commence with the fourth day of March next; and that
Thomas Jefferson is elected Vice President of the United States, for four years, to commence with the fourth day of March next. And may the Sovereign of the Universe, the ordainer of civil government on earth, for the preservation of liberty, justice, and peace, among men, enable both to discharge the duties of these offices conformably to the Constitution of the United States, with conscientious diligence, punctuality, and perseverance.
The President and members of the Senate then retired, and the House came to order; when Mr. Sitgreaves made a report on the business, which was read and ordered to be entered on the journals.
Thursday, February 9.
Election of President.
Mr. Sitgreaves, from the joint committee appointed to confer with a committee of the Senate on the subject of the election of a President and Vice President, made a further report, viz: that they had agreed with the committee of the Senate to recommend to the House of Representatives the following resolution:
"Resolved, That the Clerk of this House be directed to give, by letter, to the Vice President elect, a notification of his election."
This resolution was agreed to; but some time afterwards, Mr. Parker (one of the committee) wished it to be rescinded, as he understood, though the committee from the Senate had concurred in this mode of notifying the Vice President of his election, the Senate would not agree to it, but wished to follow the mode adopted on a former occasion, viz: a message was sent from the House of Representatives to the Senate, directing that the persons elected should be notified in such a manner as they should direct. He wished, therefore, to prevent delay, the resolution might be rescinded and a different one agreed to. This motion occasioned a good deal of conversation. It was observed by the Speaker that the resolution was already before the Senate, (where it seemed it was not intended to be sent, as it was a distinct resolution of that House, a similar one to which was proposed for the adoption of the Senate by the joint committee.) It was at length, however, agreed to be rescinded. Immediately after which a message was received from the Senate, informing the House that they had disagreed to the resolution, and appointed a committee of conference. The House accordingly took up the message, and also agreed to appoint a committee of conference.