Maclay relates that he called for the reading of the treaties and other documents referred to in the statement.

"I cast an eye at the President of the United States.

I saw he wore an aspect of stern displeasure." There was a manifest reluctance of the Senate to proceed with the matter in the President's presence, and finally a motion was made to refer the business to a committee of five.

A sharp debate followed in which "the President of the United States started up in a violent fret.
'This defeats every purpose of my coming here' were the first words that he said.

He then went on to say that he had brought his Secretary of War with him to give any necessary information; that the Secretary knew all about the business, and yet he was delayed and could not go on with the matter." The situation evidently became strained.