have amounted to near eighteen millions of dollars, which with the eight millions and a half in the treasury at the beginning of the year, have enabled us after meeting the current demands, and interest incurred, to pay two millions three hundred thousand dollars of the principal of our funded debt, and left us in the treasury on that day near fourteen millions of dollars. Of these, five millions three hundred and fifty thousand dollars will be necessary to pay what will be due on the first day of January next, which will complete the reimbursement of the eight per cent. stock. These payments, with those made in the six years and a half preceding, will have extinguished thirty-three millions five hundred and eighty thousand dollars of the principal of the funded debt, being the whole which could be paid or pur. chased within the limits of the law and of our contracts, and the amount of principal thus discharged will have liberated the revenue from about two millions of dollars of interest, and added that sum annually to the disposable surplus. The probable accumulation of the surplusses of revenue beyond what can be applied to the payment of the public debt, whenever the freedom and safety of our commerce shall be restored, merits the consideration of congress. Shall it lie unproductive in the public vaults? shall the revenue be reduced? or shall it not rather be appropriated to the improvements of roads, canals, rivers, education, and other great foundations of prosperity and union under the powers which congress may already possess, or such amendment of the constitution as may be approved by the states? While uncertain of the course of things, the time may be advantageously employed in obtaining the powers ne.. cessary for a system of improvement, should that be thought best.

Availing myself of this, the last occasion which will occur of addressing the two Houses of Legislature at their meeting, I cannot omit the expres

sion of my sincere gratitude for the repeated proofs of confidence manifested to me by themselves and their predecessors since my call to the administration, and the many indulgences experienced at their hands. The same grateful acknowledgements are due to my fellow citizens, generally, whose support has been my great encouragement under all embarrassments. In the transaction of their business, I cannot have escaped error. It is incident to our imperfect nature. But I may say with truth my errors have been of the understanding, not of intention, and that the advance. ment of their rights and interests has been the constant motive for every measure. On these considerations I solicit their indulgence. Looking forward with anxiety to their future destinies, I trust that in their steady character, unshaken by difficulties, in their love of liberty, obedience to law, and support of the public authorities, I see a sure guarantee of the permanence of our republic; and retiring from the charge of their affairs, I carry with me the consolation of a firm persuasion that Heaven has in store for our beloved country, long ages to come of prosperity, and happiness."

"November 8, 1808."

"TH: JEFFERSON."

The House proceeded in the reading of the said message, and the documents which accompanied the same, and made some progress therein.

An adjournment was then called for: Whereupon, Ordered, That the farther reading of the said message and documents, be postponed until to-morrow. And then the House adjourned until to-morrow. morning, eleven o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, November 9, 1808.

Another member, to wit: Robert Jenkins, from Pennsylvania, appeared and took his seat in the House.

The House resumed the reading of the message from the President of the United States, and the accompanying documents, communicated to this House on the eighth instant, and went through the same.

On motion of Mr. Dawson, and seconded, Ordered. That the said message and documents be referred to the committee of the whole House on the state of the union.

On motion of Mr Newton, and seconded,

Ordered, That five thousand copies of the said message and documents, be printed for the use of the members of both Houses.

On motion of Mr. Willis Alston, and seconded, that the resolution of this House of the eighth instant, for the appointment of a chaplain to Congress on this day, be rescinded; and that this House will, to morrow, at twelve o'clock, proceed, by ballot, to the appointment of the said chaplain on the part of this House. And the question being taken thereupon,

It was resolved in the affirmative.

On motion of Mr. Rhea, (of Tennessee)

The House proceeded to consider the resolution proposed by him on the eighth instant, which lay on the table; and the same being twice read, was, on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House, as followeth:

Resolved, That the order hereto subjoined, be inserted among the rules and orders of this House." "Ordered. That a standing committee, to consist of one meniber from each state, the representatives or representative from which, may or shall attend, and to be styled "the Commitice of the Post-office and Postroads," shall be appointed; whose duty it shall be to take into consideration all such matters and things touching the post-office and post-roads of the United States, as shall be presented, or shail or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House, and to report thereon; and also, to report such alterations

and amendments to the laws concerning the post-office and post-roads as may become necessary.

Mr.

Ordered, That Mr. Rhea, (of Tennessee) Green, Mr. Chittenden, Mr. Davenport, Mr. Stanford, Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Troup, Mr. Desha, Mr. Whitehill, Mr. Newbold, Mr. Verplanck, Mr. Pugh, Mr. Storer, Mr. Jeremiah Morrow, Mr. Goldsbo rough, Mr. Nathan Wilson and Mr. Wilbour, be ap. pointed a committee, pursuant to the said resolution, And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock.

THURSDAY, November 10, 1808.

Several other members, to wit: from Virginia, Wilson Cary Nicholas, and John Randolph; and from North Carolina, James Holland, appeared, and took their seats in the House.

A motion was made by Mr. Chittenden, and seconded, that the House do come to the following resolution:

Resolved, That the act passed at the last session of Congress, intituled "An act laying an embargo on all ships and vessels in the ports and harbors of the United States," and the several acts supplementary and additional thereto, ought to be immediately repealed.

On the question, that the House do now proceed to take the said proposed resolution into consideration, Yeas 83.

It was resolved in the affirmative,

Nays 9.

The yeas and nays being demanded by one fifth of

the members present,