Today’s session began with Speaker of the House, Stanislaw Malachowski, acknowledging the challenging duties of public service and the necessity of rest and careful consideration, especially during the demanding times of Congress. The President has granted the Representatives a break from sessions to celebrate the Christian holidays and to rest after three months of continuous deliberation, taking into consideration the harsh winter conditions. The nation is thankful for the President’s prudent and compassionate leadership.

During the recess, representatives didn’t idle. They discussed potential tax reforms with an eye on public welfare, pondered military recruitment without harming agricultural labor, and contemplated ways to increase treasury income without burdening the populace. They pointed out the need for detailed financial reports from the Treasury to make informed decisions about future taxation and military expansion.

Reverend Maciej Garnysz, the Under Secretary of State for Poland-Ukraine, expressed gratitude for his appointment to the Cabinet, vowing to serve faithfully. He highlighted the need for personal qualities and the values emanating from citizenship in the service of the nation.

Other matters included the proposal to relocate Congress sessions to a warmer venue due to the reduced attendance and the cold, as well as acknowledging the importance of diligence in public service, regardless of personal prestige.

As the Speaker resumed, he underscored the prudence of the Cabinet in maintaining internal peace. However, the matter of national defense was urgent, stating that the Military Commission would not have completed the state of the army report during the short break.

Afterwards, various Representatives, including Franciszek Kwilecki from West Poland and Ignacy Wybranowski from Lublin State, addressed the session, discussing topics such as the gratitude owed to the presidency, election of new officials, and considerations for the current military state and pending recruitment.

Michal Mniszech, the Secretary of Interior for Poland-Ukraine, urged the commencement of discussions on the instructions given to Duke Józef Czartoryski, envoy to the court of Berlin, while continuing the debate over conditions of service for soldiers. Specific attention was called to the financial claims of the County of Pinsk to the Russian Treasury, illustrating the complexity of matters facing the Union.

The session continued with debates on the best methods for military recruitment avoiding, depletion of the agrarian workforce, and ensuring fairness in tax systems across the provinces of the Union, with numerous proposals offered. Finally, Maciej Garnysz asked for the session to be postponed to the next day, which was granted by the Marshal.

Note: This is an interpretation of 18th-century Commonwealth Congress proceedings, designed to be easily comprehensible for 21st-century American university students. It focuses on the "people's politics" and daily challenges faced by the representatives of the time.

Topics: Recruitment and conscription for the military; Land property taxation; Military commissions; Taxes and excises; Education commission; Project for the establishment of a permanent Sejm; Taxes on foodstuffs; Deliberations on various projects and proposals by deputies; Recruiting soldiers and ensuring army supply; Military establishment management; Protection of farms and nobility from conscription; Cantonal system for soldier utilization; Funds for the recruitment of conscripts.;