[CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENTAL JOURNAL]
OF SUCH PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TWELFTH CONGRESS, AS DURING THE TIME THEY WERE DEPENDING, WERE ORDERED TO BE KEPT SECRET, AND RESPECTING WHICH THE INJUNCTION OF SECRECY WAS AFTERWARDS REMOVED BY ORDER OF THE HOUSE.
Wednesday, April 1, 1812.
A confidential Message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Coles, his Secretary; which he delivered in at the Speaker's table: Whereupon, the House was cleared of all persons except the Members, Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Doorkeeper, and the doors were closed.
The Message was then read at the Clerk's table, and is as follows:
To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States:
Considering it as expedient, under existing circumstances and prospects, that a general embargo be laid on all vessels now in port, or hereafter arriving, for the period of sixty days, I recommend the immediate passage of a law to that effect.
JAMES MADISON.
April 1, 1812.
On motion of Mr. Porter, the Message was referred to the committee appointed on that part of the President's Message at the commencement of the session, which relates to Foreign Relations.