They could not agree upon a report, in consequence of which the subject was permitted to rest; and the senate, conforming to the precedent given by the house of representatives, addressed the President in their answer to his speech by the terms used in the constitution.
While the representatives were preparing bills for organizing the great executive departments, the senate was occupied with digesting the system of a national judiciary.

This complex and extensive subject was taken up in the commencement of the session, and was completed towards its close.
[Sidenote: Amendment to the constitution proposed by congress and ratified by the states.] In the course of this session Mr.Madison brought forward a proposition for recommending to the consideration and adoption of the states, several new articles to be added to the constitution.
Many of those objections to it which had been urged with all the vehemence of conviction, and which, in the opinion of some of its advocates, were entitled to serious consideration, were believed by the most intelligent to derive their sole support from erroneous construction of the instrument.

Others were upon points on which the objectors might be gratified without injury to the system.

To conciliate the affections of their brethren to the government, was an object greatly desired by its friends.

Disposed to respect, what they deemed, the errors of their opponents, where that respect could be manifested without a sacrifice of essential principles, they were anxious to annex to the constitution those explanations and barriers against the possible encroachments of rulers on the liberties of the people, which had been loudly demanded, however unfounded, in their judgments, might be the fears by which those demands were suggested.
These dispositions were perhaps, in some measure, stimulated to exertion by motives of the soundest policy.