Congress,  National,  ExTRAORcrNART  Ses-
sion OF  THE  (1797).  On  May  13,  there  was  a  full
quorum  of  both  houses  of  Congress  assembled  at
Philadel  pliia.  In  the  Senate  was  a  decided  Fed-
eral majority.  The  object  of  the  session  was
to  consider  the  relations  with  France.  To
these  the  President  alluded  in  his  opening  mes-
sage, and  declared  his  intention  to  adhere  to
the  neutral  policy  of  the  last  administration.
The  answer  to  the  speech  was  an  approval  of
it;  yet  sympathy  for  the  French  caused  much
hesitation  in  deciding  upon  positive  measures.
But  measures  were  adopted  looking  to  a  possible
war  vrith  France.  In  a  session  of  eight  weeks
acts  were  passed  apportioning  to  the  states  a
detachment  of  80,000  militia,  to  be  ready  to


CONGRESS,  NATIONAL


296  CONGRESS,  THE  RESIDENCE  OF


inarch  at  a  moment's  warning;  appropriating
$115,000  for  the  further  fortification  of  harbors;
prohibiting  the  exportation  of  arras  and  ammu-
nition, and  enconragiiig  tlieir  importation ;  au-
thorizing the  equipment  of  three  frigat«8,  and
their  employment,  with  an  increased  number  of
revenue  cutters,  for  the  defence  of  the  coast.
