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Domestic News
January 13, 1790
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
U.S. House of Representatives proceedings in New York from January 9-12, 1790: Mr. Clymer seated; debate on receiving Treasury Secretary's financial report in writing; committee appointed for address to President Washington; petition from Christopher Saddler referred; new members seated; discussions on unfinished business and census; committee formed for enumeration bill; North Carolina's ratification of Constitution received from President Washington; address to President adopted.
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NEW-YORK, JANUARY 13, 1790.
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JANUARY 9, 1790
MR. CLYMER took his seat this day.
A letter from the Secretary of the Treasury was read, informing the House, that agreeable to their resolution of 21st Sept. he had prepared a report, respecting the Finances, with a plan for the support of the public credit, and requested to know at what time the house would please to receive the same.
The time, and manner of receiving this communication, was made a subject of debate. It was contended by some members that there was the greatest propriety in the Secretary's delivering it in person, and giving a verbal explanation of the several parts—as it could not be supposed that the members could fully comprehend a system so various and complex, without its being accompanied with an explanation: That subjects of this kind are in their nature intricate the House would want information, and must wish to receive it from the best source.
A resolution was proposed that the Report should be received on Thursday next, accompanied with such reasons and explanations as might be necessary, stated in writing. After some further conversation, in which the personal appearance of the Secretary on the floor of the House was alternately objected to, and contended for, the following resolution, in substance, was adopted, viz. "That on Thursday next this House will receive, in writing, the report of the Secretary of the Treasury Department, agreeable to the order of the 21st Sept. last."
The order of the day being called for, the House went into a committee of the whole, on The President's Speech—
Mr. Baldwin in the Chair,
—and adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, as the sense of this committee, That an address be presented by the House to The President of the United States, in answer to his Speech to both Houses, with assurances that this House will, without delay, proceed to take into their serious consideration the various and important matters recommended to their attention.
This resolution being agreed to by the House, the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to prepare the address, Mr. Smith, (S. C.) Mr. Clymer, and Mr. Lawrence.
Mr. Ames introduced a petition of Christopher Saddler, of Nova-Scotia, stating, that his vessel and cargo had been seized at the port of Boston, for a breach of a law of the United States, of which he was, at the time, ignorant—and praying relief: Laid on the table.—Adjourned.
MONDAY, JANUARY 11.
Mr. Hathorn, Mr. Trumbull, and Mr. Moore, took their seats this day.
Mr. Boudinot, of the committee appointed to enquire into the unfinished business of the last session, brought in a report, which was read, and laid on the table.
On motion of Mr. Ames, the petition of Christopher Saddler was read a second time, and referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr. Smith, (S. C.) from the Committee appointed to prepare an Address in answer to The President's Speech, presented a report, which being read, it was voted, That the House would to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee of the whole, to take the same into consideration.
Mr. Goodhue, of the Committee appointed the last session, to prepare a Census, or Enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, enquired, whether it is considered that the committee then chosen, is now in existence if it is, he moved, That more effectually to answer the object of their appointment, the Committee should be enlarged, to consist of a Member from each State.
Mr. Smith, (S. C.) observed, that the several matters recommended to the consideration of the House in The President's Speech, are objects of more immediate attention suggested the propriety of appointing Committees to take them respectively into consideration, and accordingly moved, That the House should go into a Committee of the whole,
Several gentlemen observed, that it would be perhaps more proper to wait for those communications to which The President referred in the Speech.
Mr. Goodhue suspended his motion, till the House should decide on that made by Mr. Smith —which being put, was not adopted.
Mr. Goodhue then rose to enquire, Whether it is considered that the unfinished business of the last session, should be taken up in the stage in which it was left, or de novo.
This enquiry occasioned considerable discussion. —Many of the members spoke on the occasion.— The Speaker said, that it had been customary in the legislative assemblies with which he had been connected, to continue the business from one session to another, during the time for which the members are elected—but it appeared that this was not strictly consonant to parliamentary usage, and as the subject is of very great importance, and different sentiments are entertained by gentlemen, it appeared necessary that the House should come to a decision upon it.
Mr. Livermore, adverting to the necessity and importance of the two Houses' adopting similar rules of conduct, proposed that a committee should be chosen on the part of the House, to confer with a committee on the part of the Senate, to determine on a uniform system to be adopted by both Houses.
Mr. Page, Mr. Lee and Mr. Smith were severally of opinion, that the business of the last session could not with propriety be taken up in the present, in the situation in which it was then left.—They contended that it should be entered upon de novo—As on the contrary supposition, questions of the highest importance to the peace and happiness of a great part of the Union might be resumed, and determined, in the early part of the session, in a very thin House, and by a small majority of a bare quorum of members.— The extensive territory which is represented—the great distance, from which most of the members came—all concur in favor of taking up the business anew.
Mr. Clymer observed, that Congress by chusing a committee to enquire into, and report the unfinished business of the last session, plainly indicate that they do not consider that business as dead—for if it had been so considered it was absurd to appoint such a committee.
Mr. Lawrence said, that when the business of the last session, should come before either House it lay with them to determine in what manner they should proceed with respect to every article. He objected to the appointment of a committee.
The motion for a committee was put and negatived.
It was then moved that a committee of ten be appointed to bring in a bill for the actual enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States; which passing in the affirmative, the following members were appointed, viz.
Mr. Foster,
Mr. Clymer,
Mr. Goodhue,
Mr. Seney,
Mr. Sherman,
Mr. White,
Mr. Lawrence,
Mr. Smith,
Mr. Schureman,
Mr. Baldwin.
A message from the President of the United States, by Mr. Secretary Lear, was received, with the following communications.
United States, Jan. 11, 1790.
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,
I have directed Mr. Lear, my private Secretary, to lay before you a copy of the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States, by the State of North-Carolina, together with the copy of a letter from his Excellency Samuel Johnston, President of the Convention of said State, to the President of the United States.
The originals of the papers which are herewith transmitted to you, will be lodged in the office of the Secretary of State.
G. WASHINGTON.
FAYETTEVILLE, State of North-Carolina, 4th December, 1789.
SIR,
BY order of the Convention of the people of this State, I have the honor to transmit to you the ratification and adoption of the Constitution of the United States by the said Convention in behalf of the people.
With sentiments of the highest consideration and respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, your most faithful and obedient servant,
(Signed) SAMUEL JOHNSTON,
President of the Convention,
To the President of the United States.
I DO certify the above to be a true copy from the original.
TOBIAS LEAR, Secretary to the President of the United States.
A copy of the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States, by the State of North-Carolina.
STATE OF NORTH-CAROLINA.
IN CONVENTION.
WHEREAS the General Convention which met in Philadelphia, in pursuance of a recommendation of Congress, did recommend to the citizens of the United States, a Constitution or form of government in the following words, viz.
"We the people," &c. [Here follows the Constitution of the United States, verbatim.]
Resolved, That this Convention, in behalf of the freemen, citizens and inhabitants of the State of North-Carolina, do adopt and ratify the said Constitution and form of government.
Done in Convention, the 21st day of November, 1789.
(Signed) SAMUEL JOHNSTON,
President of the Convention.
J. Hunt,
Secretaries.
J. Taylor,
BY the direction of the President of the United States, I have examined and compared the foregoing with the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States, by the state of North Carolina, which was transmitted to the President of the United States, by Samuel Johnston, President of the Convention of said State, as well as the transcript of the Constitution of the United States, recited in the said ratification, which I certify to be a true copy.
TOBIAS LEAR, Secretary to the President of the United States.
The house then adjourned till 11 o'clock, to-morrow morning.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12.
The order of the day being called for, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole.— Mr. Baldwin in the chair.
—The report of the Committee appointed to prepare an Address in answer to The President's Speech to both Houses, being read, the same was taken into consideration.
The Committee having discussed the several parts of this Address, rose—and the Chairman reported the same without amendments—which being again read in the House, was adopted unanimously.
It was then moved, That a Committee be appointed to wait on The President of the United States, to learn from him, at what time, and in what place, he would receive this Address—Mr. Smith, (S.C.) Mr. Clymer, and Mr. Lawrence, were appointed the Committee on this occasion.
A message from The President of the United States, by the Hon. Gen. Knox, Secretary at War, was received—this being accompanied by a number of confidential papers: The House ordered the Doors of the Gallery to be shut.
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JANUARY 9, 1790
MR. CLYMER took his seat this day.
A letter from the Secretary of the Treasury was read, informing the House, that agreeable to their resolution of 21st Sept. he had prepared a report, respecting the Finances, with a plan for the support of the public credit, and requested to know at what time the house would please to receive the same.
The time, and manner of receiving this communication, was made a subject of debate. It was contended by some members that there was the greatest propriety in the Secretary's delivering it in person, and giving a verbal explanation of the several parts—as it could not be supposed that the members could fully comprehend a system so various and complex, without its being accompanied with an explanation: That subjects of this kind are in their nature intricate the House would want information, and must wish to receive it from the best source.
A resolution was proposed that the Report should be received on Thursday next, accompanied with such reasons and explanations as might be necessary, stated in writing. After some further conversation, in which the personal appearance of the Secretary on the floor of the House was alternately objected to, and contended for, the following resolution, in substance, was adopted, viz. "That on Thursday next this House will receive, in writing, the report of the Secretary of the Treasury Department, agreeable to the order of the 21st Sept. last."
The order of the day being called for, the House went into a committee of the whole, on The President's Speech—
Mr. Baldwin in the Chair,
—and adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, as the sense of this committee, That an address be presented by the House to The President of the United States, in answer to his Speech to both Houses, with assurances that this House will, without delay, proceed to take into their serious consideration the various and important matters recommended to their attention.
This resolution being agreed to by the House, the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to prepare the address, Mr. Smith, (S. C.) Mr. Clymer, and Mr. Lawrence.
Mr. Ames introduced a petition of Christopher Saddler, of Nova-Scotia, stating, that his vessel and cargo had been seized at the port of Boston, for a breach of a law of the United States, of which he was, at the time, ignorant—and praying relief: Laid on the table.—Adjourned.
MONDAY, JANUARY 11.
Mr. Hathorn, Mr. Trumbull, and Mr. Moore, took their seats this day.
Mr. Boudinot, of the committee appointed to enquire into the unfinished business of the last session, brought in a report, which was read, and laid on the table.
On motion of Mr. Ames, the petition of Christopher Saddler was read a second time, and referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr. Smith, (S. C.) from the Committee appointed to prepare an Address in answer to The President's Speech, presented a report, which being read, it was voted, That the House would to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee of the whole, to take the same into consideration.
Mr. Goodhue, of the Committee appointed the last session, to prepare a Census, or Enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, enquired, whether it is considered that the committee then chosen, is now in existence if it is, he moved, That more effectually to answer the object of their appointment, the Committee should be enlarged, to consist of a Member from each State.
Mr. Smith, (S. C.) observed, that the several matters recommended to the consideration of the House in The President's Speech, are objects of more immediate attention suggested the propriety of appointing Committees to take them respectively into consideration, and accordingly moved, That the House should go into a Committee of the whole,
Several gentlemen observed, that it would be perhaps more proper to wait for those communications to which The President referred in the Speech.
Mr. Goodhue suspended his motion, till the House should decide on that made by Mr. Smith —which being put, was not adopted.
Mr. Goodhue then rose to enquire, Whether it is considered that the unfinished business of the last session, should be taken up in the stage in which it was left, or de novo.
This enquiry occasioned considerable discussion. —Many of the members spoke on the occasion.— The Speaker said, that it had been customary in the legislative assemblies with which he had been connected, to continue the business from one session to another, during the time for which the members are elected—but it appeared that this was not strictly consonant to parliamentary usage, and as the subject is of very great importance, and different sentiments are entertained by gentlemen, it appeared necessary that the House should come to a decision upon it.
Mr. Livermore, adverting to the necessity and importance of the two Houses' adopting similar rules of conduct, proposed that a committee should be chosen on the part of the House, to confer with a committee on the part of the Senate, to determine on a uniform system to be adopted by both Houses.
Mr. Page, Mr. Lee and Mr. Smith were severally of opinion, that the business of the last session could not with propriety be taken up in the present, in the situation in which it was then left.—They contended that it should be entered upon de novo—As on the contrary supposition, questions of the highest importance to the peace and happiness of a great part of the Union might be resumed, and determined, in the early part of the session, in a very thin House, and by a small majority of a bare quorum of members.— The extensive territory which is represented—the great distance, from which most of the members came—all concur in favor of taking up the business anew.
Mr. Clymer observed, that Congress by chusing a committee to enquire into, and report the unfinished business of the last session, plainly indicate that they do not consider that business as dead—for if it had been so considered it was absurd to appoint such a committee.
Mr. Lawrence said, that when the business of the last session, should come before either House it lay with them to determine in what manner they should proceed with respect to every article. He objected to the appointment of a committee.
The motion for a committee was put and negatived.
It was then moved that a committee of ten be appointed to bring in a bill for the actual enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States; which passing in the affirmative, the following members were appointed, viz.
Mr. Foster,
Mr. Clymer,
Mr. Goodhue,
Mr. Seney,
Mr. Sherman,
Mr. White,
Mr. Lawrence,
Mr. Smith,
Mr. Schureman,
Mr. Baldwin.
A message from the President of the United States, by Mr. Secretary Lear, was received, with the following communications.
United States, Jan. 11, 1790.
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,
I have directed Mr. Lear, my private Secretary, to lay before you a copy of the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States, by the State of North-Carolina, together with the copy of a letter from his Excellency Samuel Johnston, President of the Convention of said State, to the President of the United States.
The originals of the papers which are herewith transmitted to you, will be lodged in the office of the Secretary of State.
G. WASHINGTON.
FAYETTEVILLE, State of North-Carolina, 4th December, 1789.
SIR,
BY order of the Convention of the people of this State, I have the honor to transmit to you the ratification and adoption of the Constitution of the United States by the said Convention in behalf of the people.
With sentiments of the highest consideration and respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, your most faithful and obedient servant,
(Signed) SAMUEL JOHNSTON,
President of the Convention,
To the President of the United States.
I DO certify the above to be a true copy from the original.
TOBIAS LEAR, Secretary to the President of the United States.
A copy of the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States, by the State of North-Carolina.
STATE OF NORTH-CAROLINA.
IN CONVENTION.
WHEREAS the General Convention which met in Philadelphia, in pursuance of a recommendation of Congress, did recommend to the citizens of the United States, a Constitution or form of government in the following words, viz.
"We the people," &c. [Here follows the Constitution of the United States, verbatim.]
Resolved, That this Convention, in behalf of the freemen, citizens and inhabitants of the State of North-Carolina, do adopt and ratify the said Constitution and form of government.
Done in Convention, the 21st day of November, 1789.
(Signed) SAMUEL JOHNSTON,
President of the Convention.
J. Hunt,
Secretaries.
J. Taylor,
BY the direction of the President of the United States, I have examined and compared the foregoing with the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States, by the state of North Carolina, which was transmitted to the President of the United States, by Samuel Johnston, President of the Convention of said State, as well as the transcript of the Constitution of the United States, recited in the said ratification, which I certify to be a true copy.
TOBIAS LEAR, Secretary to the President of the United States.
The house then adjourned till 11 o'clock, to-morrow morning.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12.
The order of the day being called for, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole.— Mr. Baldwin in the chair.
—The report of the Committee appointed to prepare an Address in answer to The President's Speech to both Houses, being read, the same was taken into consideration.
The Committee having discussed the several parts of this Address, rose—and the Chairman reported the same without amendments—which being again read in the House, was adopted unanimously.
It was then moved, That a Committee be appointed to wait on The President of the United States, to learn from him, at what time, and in what place, he would receive this Address—Mr. Smith, (S.C.) Mr. Clymer, and Mr. Lawrence, were appointed the Committee on this occasion.
A message from The President of the United States, by the Hon. Gen. Knox, Secretary at War, was received—this being accompanied by a number of confidential papers: The House ordered the Doors of the Gallery to be shut.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
What keywords are associated?
House Of Representatives
Treasury Report
President Address
North Carolina Ratification
Census Enumeration
Unfinished Business
Saddler Petition
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Clymer
Secretary Of The Treasury
Mr. Baldwin
Mr. Smith (S. C.)
Mr. Lawrence
Mr. Ames
Christopher Saddler
Mr. Hathorn
Mr. Trumbull
Mr. Moore
Mr. Boudinot
Mr. Goodhue
Mr. Livermore
Mr. Page
Mr. Lee
Mr. Foster
Mr. Seney
Mr. Sherman
Mr. White
Mr. Schureman
G. Washington
Samuel Johnston
Tobias Lear
Where did it happen?
New York
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
New York
Event Date
January 9, 1790 To January 12, 1790
Key Persons
Mr. Clymer
Secretary Of The Treasury
Mr. Baldwin
Mr. Smith (S. C.)
Mr. Lawrence
Mr. Ames
Christopher Saddler
Mr. Hathorn
Mr. Trumbull
Mr. Moore
Mr. Boudinot
Mr. Goodhue
Mr. Livermore
Mr. Page
Mr. Lee
Mr. Foster
Mr. Seney
Mr. Sherman
Mr. White
Mr. Schureman
G. Washington
Samuel Johnston
Tobias Lear
Outcome
resolution adopted to receive treasury report in writing on thursday; committee appointed to prepare address to president; saddler petition referred to treasury secretary; report on unfinished business laid on table; motion to go into committee on president's speech matters not adopted; committee of ten appointed for enumeration bill; north carolina ratification transmitted and certified; address to president adopted unanimously; committee appointed to present address; confidential papers received with doors shut.
Event Details
House sessions: January 9 - Clymer seated, debate on Treasury report delivery, resolution for written receipt, committee of whole on President's speech, resolution for address, committee appointed (Smith, Clymer, Lawrence), Saddler petition laid on table. January 11 - Hathorn, Trumbull, Moore seated, unfinished business report, Saddler petition referred, address report for consideration tomorrow, Goodhue on census committee enlargement, Smith motion for committee on speech matters rejected, debate on unfinished business treatment, committee proposal for Senate conference rejected, committee of ten for enumeration bill appointed, President's message with North Carolina ratification documents received. January 12 - Committee of whole on address report, adopted without amendments, committee to inquire President's reception time, message from President with confidential papers, gallery doors shut.