Motions to strike out the most essential clause were successively repeated, and each motion was negatived by the casting vote of the Vice President.

It was only by his voice that the bill finally passed.[18] [Footnote 18: Previous to taking the question on this bill, a petition had been received against Mr.Gallatin, a senator from the state of Pennsylvania, who was determined not to have been a citizen a sufficient time to qualify him under the constitution for a seat in the senate.

This casual circumstance divided the senate, or the bill would probably have been lost.] In the house of representatives also, this bill encountered a serious opposition.

The sections which prohibited the sale of prizes in the United States, and that which declared it to be a misdemeanour to accept a commission from a foreign power within the territory of the United States, to serve against a nation with whom they were at peace, were struck out; but that which respected the acceptance of commissions was afterwards reinstated.
In the course of the session, several other party questions were brought forward, which demonstrated, at the same time, the strength, and the zeal of the opposition.

The subject of amending the constitution was revived; and a resolution was agreed to in both houses for altering that instrument, so far as to exempt states from the suits of individuals.