hering to the policy which made an abandonment by France of her decrees, a pre-requisite to a revocation of the British orders, have substituted the amicable course which has issued thus happily; I cannot do less than refer to the proposal heretofore made on the part of the United States, embracing a like restoration of the suspended commerce, as a proof of the spirit of accommodation which has at no time been intermitted, and to the result which now calls for our congratulations, as corroborating the principles by which the public councils have been guided, during a period of the most trying embarrassments.

"The discontinuance of the British orders, as they respect the United States, having been thus arranged, a communication of the event has been forwarded, in one of our public vessels, to our minister plenipotentiary at Paris; with instructions to avail himself of the important addition thereby made, to the considerations which press on the justice of the French government a revocation of its decrees, or such a modification of them, as that they shall cease to violate the neutral commerce of the United States.

"The revision of our commercial laws, proper to adapt them to the arrangement which has taken place with Great Britain, will doubtless engage the early attention of Congress. It will be worthy, at the same time, of their just and provident care, to make such further alterations in the laws, as will more especially protect and foster the several branches of manufacture, which have been recently instituted or extended by the laudable exertions of our citizens.

"Under the existing aspect of our affairs, I have thought it not inconsistent with a just precaution, to have the gun-boots, with the exception of those at New Orleans, placed in a situation incurring no expense beyond that requisite for their preservation, and conveniency for future service; and to have the crews of those at New Orleans reduced to the number required for their navigation and safety.

"I have thought also, that our citizens detached in quotas of militia, amounting to one hundred thousand, under the act of March, one thousand eight hundred and eight, might, not improperly, be relieved from the state in which they were held for immediate service. A discharge of them has been accordingly directed.

"The progress made in raising and organizing the additional military force, for which provision was made by the act of April, one thousand eight hundred and eight, together with the disposition of the troops, will appear by a report which the secretary of war is preparing, and which will be laid before you.

"Of the additional frigates required, by an act of the last session, to be fitted for actual service, two are in readiness, one nearly so, and the fourth is expected to be ready in the month of July. A report, which the secretary of the navy is preparing on the subject, to be laid before Congress, will shew at the same time, the progress made in officering and manning these ships. It will shew also the degree in which the provisions of the act, relating to the other public armed ships, have been carried into execution.

"It will rest with the judgment of Congress to decide how far the change in our external prospects may, authorize any modifications of the laws relating to the army and navy establishments.

"The works of defence for our sea-port towns and harbors have proceeded with as much activity as the season of the year and other circumstances would admit. It is necessary however to state that the appropriations hitherto made being found to be deficient, a further provision will claim the early consideration of Congress.

"The whole of the eight per cent. stock remaining due by the United States, amounting to five millions three hundred thousand dollars, had been reimbursed

on the last day of the year 1808. And on the first day of April last, the sum in the treasury exceeded nine and a half millions of dollars. This, together with the receipts of the current year on account of former revenue bonds, will probably be nearly, if not altogether sufficient to defray the expenses of the year. But the suspension of exports and the consequent decrease of importations, during the last twelve months, will ne cessarily cause a great diminution in the receipts of the year one thousand eight hundred and ten. After that year, should our foreign relations be undisturbed, the revenue will again be more than commensurate to all the expenditures.

"Aware of the inconveniences of a protracted session, at the present season of the year, I forbear to call the attention of the legislature to any matters not particularly urgent. It remains therefore only to assure you of the fidelity and alacrity with which I shall co-operate for the welfare and happiness of our country; and to pray that it may experience a continuance of the divine blessings, by which it has been so signally favored."

JAMES MADISON.

Ordered, That the said message, and documents accompanying the same, be committed to the committee of the whole House, on the state of the Union.

A message from the Senate by Mr. Otis, their Secretary.

Mr. Speaker: The Senate have resolved that two chaplains, of different denominations, be appointed to Congress for the present session, one by each House, who shall interchange weekly: And then he withdrew.

The House then resumed the consideration of the amendment proposed by Mr. Randolph. to the journal.

And the question being taken thereupon It was resolved in the affirmative.

A motion was made by Mr. John G. Jackson, and seconded, to amend the journal of yesterday's proceedings by striking out the words

Ordered, That the said Thomas Dunn do give his attendance accordingly."

And the question being taken thereupon

It was determined in the negative.

The House proceeded to consider the resolution of the Senate for the appointment of Chaplains, and the same being read, was, upon the question put thereon, agreed to by the House.

Ordered, That the Clerk do acquaint the Senate therewith.

A motion was made by Mr. Willis Alston, and seconded, to proceed to the appointment of the Standing Committees, pursuant to the rules and orders of the House: When,

Another motion was made by Mr. Lyon, and seconded, to amend the said motion by adding the words "by ballot."

And the question being taken upon the said amendment,

It was determined in the negative,

Yeas 41.

Nays 67.

The yeas and nays being demanded by one fifth of

the members present,

Those who voted in the affirmative, are

Burwell Bassett,

Thomas R. Gold,

William W. Bibb,

Edwin Gray,

Daniel Blaisdell,

Nathaniel A. Haven,

John Campbell,

Daniel Heister,

The question then recurred on the original motion: