A COMPILATION OF THE MESSAGES AND PAPERS OF THE PRESIDENTS

BY JAMES D. RICHARDSON

A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE STATE OF TENNESSEE

VOLUME X

1902

Prefatory Note

This volume closes the task, entered upon by me in April, 1895, ofcompiling all the official papers of the Presidents. Instead of findingit the labor of a year, as I supposed it would be when I undertook it, the work has occupied me closely for more than four years. A greatportion of this time has been consumed in the preparation of the Index. The Index is mainly the work of my son, James D. Richardson, jr. , whoprepared it with such assistance as I could give him. He has givenhis entire time to it for three years. Every reference in it has beenexamined and compared with the text by myself. We have endeavoredto make it full, accurate, and comprehensive, with numerous crossreferences. There will be found in this Index a large number ofencyclopedic articles, which are intended, in part at least, to furnishthe reader definitions of politico-historical words and phrasesoccurring in the papers of the Chief Magistrates, or to develop morefully questions or subjects to which only indirect reference is made orwhich are but briefly discussed by them. There will also be found shortaccounts of several hundred battles in which the armies of the UnitedStates have been engaged; also descriptions of all the States of theUnion and of many foreign countries. We have striven earnestly to makethese encyclopedic articles historically correct, and to this end havecarefully compared them with the most eminent authorities. This featurewas not within the scope of the work as contemplated when the resolutionauthorizing the compilation was passed, nor when the act was passedrequiring the preparation of the Index; but with the approval of theJoint Committee on Printing I have inserted the articles, believing thatthey would be of interest. They contain facts and valuable informationnot always easily accessible, and it is hoped that they will serve tofamiliarize the young men of the country who read them with its historyand its trials and make of them better citizens and more devoted loversof our free institutions. There has been no effort or inclination on mypart to give partisan bias or political coloring of any nature to thesearticles. On the other hand, I have sought only to furnish reliablehistorical data and well-authenticated definitions and to avoid even theappearance of an expression of my own opinion. It is proper to add thatthese articles have all been read and approved by Mr. A. R. Spofford, Chief Assistant Librarian of Congress, to whom I now make acknowledgmentof my indebtedness. 

In pursuance of the plan originally adopted certain papers wereomitted from the earlier volumes of this work. Referring to thesepapers, the following statement occurs in the Prefatory Note to VolumeI: "In executing the commission with which I have been charged I havesought to bring together in the several volumes of the series allPresidential proclamations, addresses, messages, and communications toCongress excepting those nominating persons to office and those whichsimply transmit treaties, and reports of heads of Departments whichcontain no recommendation from the Executive. " In the Prefatory Note toVolume IX the statement was made that this course was a mistake, and"that the work to be exhaustive should comprise every message of thePresidents transmitting reports of heads of Departments and othercommunications, no matter how brief or unintelligible the papers were inthemselves, and that to make them intelligible I should insert editorialfootnotes explaining them. Having acted upon the other idea in making upVolume I and a portion of Volume II, quite a number of such brief paperswere intentionally omitted. Being convinced that all the papers of theExecutives should be inserted, the plan was modified accordingly, andthe endeavor was thereafter made to publish all of them. In order, however, that the compilation maybe 'accurate and exhaustive, ' I havegone back and collected all the papers--those which should have appearedin Volumes I and II as well as such as were unintentionally omitted fromthe succeeding volumes--excepting those simply making nominations, andshall publish them in an appendix in the last volume. " These omittedpapers, with editorial footnotes, have been inserted in the Appendix, and appear in the Index in alphabetical order, so that no seriousinconvenience will result to the reader. 

The compilation properly closed with President Cleveland's secondAdministration, March 4, 1897, but as the Spanish-American War excitedgreat interest I determined, after conferring with the Joint Committeeon Printing, to publish the official papers of President McKinley whichrelate exclusively to that war. These will be found in the Appendix. 

I have been greatly assisted in the work of compilation by Mr. A. P. Marston, of the Proof Room of the Government Printing Office. Withouthis valuable assistance in searching for and obtaining the variouspapers and his painstaking care in the verification of data the workwould not have been so complete. Mr. Charles T. Hendler, of the StateBranch of the Government Printing Office, rendered timely aid inprocuring proclamations from the archives of the State Department. To these gentlemen I make proper acknowledgments. 

The work has met with public favor far beyond all expectations, andwords of praise for it have come from all classes and callings. Thosewho possess it may be assured that they have in their libraries all theofficial utterances of the Presidents of the United States from 1789 to1897 that could possibly be found after the most diligent search, andthat these utterances are not to be found complete in any otherpublication. 

I close by quoting from the Prefatory Note to Volume I: "If my workshall prove satisfactory to Congress and the country, I will feelcompensated for my time and effort. "

JAMES D. RICHARDSON. 

JULY 4, 1899. 

APPENDIX

Messages, Proclamations, Executive Orders, etc. , Omitted from Volumes I to IX

SPECIAL MESSAGES, ETC. 

SATURDAY, _August 22, 1789_. [1]

[Footnote 1: See message of August 21, 1789, Vol. I, p. 61. ]

The President of the United States came into the Senate Chamber, attended by General Knox, and laid before the Senate the following stateof facts, with the questions thereto annexed, for their advice andconsent:

"To conciliate the powerful tribes of Indians in the southern district, amounting probably to 14, 000 fighting men, and to attach them firmly tothe United States, may be regarded as highly worthy of the seriousattention of Government. 

"The measure includes not only peace and security to the whole southernfrontier, but is calculated to form a barrier against the colonies of aEuropean power which in the mutations of policy may one day become theenemy of the United States. The fate of the Southern States, therefore, or the neighboring colonies may principally depend on the presentmeasures of the Union toward the southern Indians. 

"By the papers which have been laid before the Senate it will appearthat in the latter end of the year 1785 and the beginning of 1786treaties were formed by the United States with the Cherokees, theChickesaws, and Choctaws. The report of the commissioners will show thereasons why a treaty was not formed at the same time with the Creeks. 

"It will also appear by the papers that the States of North Carolina andGeorgia protested against said treaties as infringing their legislativerights and being contrary to the Confederation. It will further appearby the said papers that the treaty with the Cherokees has been entirelyviolated by the disorderly white people on the frontiers of NorthCarolina. 

"The opinion of the late Congress respecting the said violation willsufficiently appear by the proclamation which they caused to be issuedon the 1st of September, 1788. 

"By the public newspapers it appears that on the 16th of June last atruce was concluded with the Cherokees by Mr. John Steele on behalf ofthe State of North Carolina, in which it was stipulated that a treatyshould be held as soon as possible and that in the meantime allhostilities should cease on either side. 

"As the Cherokees reside principally within the territory claimed byNorth Carolina, and as that State is not a member of the present Union, it may be doubted whether any efficient measures in favor of theCherokees could be immediately adopted by the General Government. 

"The commissioners for negotiating with the southern Indians may beinstructed to transmit a message to the Cherokees, stating to them asfar as may be proper the difficulties arising from the local claims ofNorth Carolina, and to assure them that the United States are notunmindful of the treaty at Hopewell, and as soon as the difficultieswhich are at present opposed to the measure shall be removed theGovernment will do full justice to the Cherokees. 

"The distance of the Choctaws and Chickesaws from the frontiersettlements seems to have prevented those tribes from being involved insimilar difficulties with the Cherokees. 

"The commissioners may be instructed to transmit messages to the saidtribes containing assurances of the continuance of the friendship of theUnited States and that measures will soon be taken for extending a tradeto them agreeably to the treaties of Hopewell. The commissioners mayalso be directed to report a plan for the execution of the said treatiesrespecting trade. 

"But the case of the Creek Nation is of the highest importance andrequires an immediate decision. The cause of the hostilities betweenGeorgia and the Creeks is stated to be a difference in judgmentconcerning three treaties made between the said parties, to wit, atAugusta in 1783, at Galphinton in 1785, and at Shoulderbone in 1786. The State of Georgia asserts and the Creeks deny the validity of thesaid treaties. 

"Hence arises the indispensable necessity of having all thecircumstances respecting the said treaties critically investigated bycommissioners of the United States, so that the further measures ofGovernment may be formed on a full knowledge of the case. 

"In order that the investigation may be conducted with the highestimpartiality, it will be proper, in addition to the evidence of thedocuments in the public possession, that Georgia should be representedat this part of the proposed treaty with the Creek Nation. 

"It is, however, to be observed, in any issue of the inquiry, that itwould be highly embarrassing to Georgia to relinquish that part of thelands stated to have been ceded by the Creeks lying between the Ogeecheand Oconee rivers, that State having surveyed and divided the same amongcertain descriptions of its citizens, who settled and planted thereonuntil dispossessed by the Indians. 

"In case, therefore, the issue of the investigation should beunfavorable to the claims of Georgia, the commissioners should beinstructed to use their best endeavors to negotiate with the Creeksa solemn conveyance of the said lands to Georgia. 

"By the report of the commissioners who were appointed under certainacts of the late Congress by South Carolina and Georgia it appears thatthey have agreed to meet the Creeks on the 15th of September ensuing. As it is with great difficulty the Indians are collected together atcertain seasons of the year, it is important that the above occasionshould be embraced if possible on the part of the present Governmentto form a treaty with the Creeks. As the proposed treaty is of greatimportance to the future tranquillity of the State of Georgia as wellas of the United States, it has been thought proper that it should beconducted on the part of the General Government by Commissioners whoselocal situations may free them from the imputation of prejudice on thissubject. 

"As it is necessary that certain principles should be fixed previouslyto forming instructions for the commissioners, the following questionsarising out of the foregoing communications are stated by the Presidentof the United States and the advice of the Senate requested thereon:

"First. In the present state of affairs between North Carolina andthe United States will it be proper to take any other measures forredressing the injuries of the Cherokees than the one herein suggested?

"Second. Shall the commissioners be instructed to pursue any othermeasures respecting the Chickesaws and Choctaws than those hereinsuggested?

"Third. If the commissioners shall adjudge that the Creek Nation wasfully represented at the three treaties with Georgia, and that thecessions of land were obtained with the full understanding and freeconsent of the acknowledged proprietors, and that the said treatiesought to be considered as just and equitable, in this case shallthe commissioners be instructed to insist on a formal renewal andconfirmation thereof, and in case of a refusal shall they be instructedto inform the Creeks that the arms of the Union shall be employed tocompel them to acknowledge the justice of the said cessions?

"Fourth. But if the commissioners shall adjudge that the said treatieswere formed with an inadequate or unauthorized representation of theCreek Nation, or that the treaties were held under circumstances ofconstraint or unfairness of any sort, so that the United States couldnot with justice and dignity request or urge a confirmation thereof, in this case shall the commissioners, considering the importance of theOconee lands to Georgia, be instructed to use their highest exertionsto obtain a cession of said lands? If so, shall the commissioners beinstructed, if they can not obtain the said cessions on better terms, to offer for the same and for the further great object of attaching theCreeks to the Government of the United States the following conditions:

"First. A compensation, in money or goods, to the amount of $----, the said amount to be stipulated to be paid by Georgia at the periodwhich shall be fixed, or in failure thereof by the United States. 

"Second. A secure port on the Altamaha or St. Marys rivers, or at anyother place between the same as may be mutually agreed to by thecommissioners and the Creeks. 

"Third. Certain pecuniary considerations to some and honorary militarydistinctions to other influential chiefs on their taking oaths ofallegiance to the United States. 

"Fourth. A solemn guaranty by the United States to the Creeks of theirremaining territory, and to maintain the same, if necessary, by a lineof military posts. 

"Fifth. But if all offers should fail to induce the Creeks to makethe desired cessions to Georgia, shall the commissioners make it anultimatum?

"Sixth. If the said cessions shall not be made an ultimatum, shall thecommissioners proceed and make a treaty and include the disputed landswithin the limits which shall be assigned to the Creeks? If not, shall atemporary boundary be marked making the Oconee the line, and the otherparts of the treaty be concluded? In this case shall a secure port bestipulated and the pecuniary and honorary considerations granted? Inother general objects shall the treaties formed at Hopewell with theCherokees, Chickesaws, and Choctaws be the basis of a treaty with theCreeks?

"Seventh. Shall the sum of $20, 000 appropriated to Indian expenses andtreaties be wholly applied, if necessary, to a treaty with the Creeks?If not, what proportion?"

Whereupon the Senate proceeded to give their advice and consent. 

The first question, viz, "In the present state of affairs between NorthCarolina and the United States will it be proper to take any othermeasures for redressing the injuries of the Cherokees than the oneherein suggested?" was, at the request of the President of the UnitedStates, postponed. 

The second question, viz, "Shall the commissioners be instructed topursue any other measures respecting the Chickesaws and Choctaws thanthose herein suggested?" being put, was answered in the negative. 

The consideration of the remaining questions was postponed till Mondaynext. 

MONDAY, _August 24_. 

The President of the United States being present in the Senate Chamber, attended by General Knox--

The Senate resumed the consideration of the state of facts, andquestions thereto annexed, laid before them by the President of theUnited States on Saturday last; and the first question, viz, "In thepresent state of affairs between North Carolina and the United Stateswill it be proper to take any other measures for redressing the injuriesof the Cherokees than the one herein suggested?" being put, was answeredin the negative. 

The third question, viz, "If the commissioners shall adjudge that theCreek Nation was fully represented at the three treaties with Georgia, and that the cessions of land Were obtained with the full understandingand free consent of the acknowledged proprietors, and that the saidtreaties ought to be considered as just and equitable, in this caseshall the commissioners be instructed to insist on a formal renewal andconfirmation thereof, and in case of a refusal shall they be instructedto inform the Creeks that the arms of the Union shall be employed tocompel them to acknowledge the justice of the said cessions?" was whollyanswered in the affirmative. 

The fourth question and its four subdivisions, "But if the commissionersshall adjudge that the said treaties were formed with an inadequate orunauthorized representation of the Creek Nation, or that the treatieswere held under circumstances of constraint or unfairness of any sort, so that the United States could not with justice and dignity request orurge a confirmation thereof, in this case shall the commissioners, considering the importance of the Oconee lands to Georgia, be instructedto use their highest exertions to obtain a cession of said lands? If so, shall the commissioners be instructed, if they can not obtain the saidcessions on better terms, to offer for the same and for the furthergreat object of attaching the Creeks to the Government of the UnitedStates the following conditions: First. A compensation, in money orgoods, to the amount of $----, the said amount to be stipulated to bepaid by Georgia at the period which shall be fixed, or in failurethereof by the United States. Second. A secure port on the Altamaha oron St. Marys River, or at any other place between the same as may bemutually agreed to by the commissioners and the Creeks. Third. Certainpecuniary considerations to some and honorary military distinctions toother influential chiefs on their taking oaths of allegiance to theUnited States. Fourth. A solemn guaranty by the United States to theCreeks of their remaining territory, and to maintain the same, ifnecessary, by a line of military posts, " was wholly answered in theaffirmative. The blank to be filled at the discretion of the Presidentof the United States. 

The fifth question, viz, "But if all offers should fail to induce theCreeks to make the desired cessions to Georgia, shall the commissionersmake it an ultimatum?" was answered in the negative. 

The sixth question being divided, the first part, containing as follows, viz, "If the said cessions shall not be made an ultimatum, shall thecommissioners proceed and make a treaty and include the disputed landswithin the limits which shall be assigned to the Creeks?" was answeredin the negative. 

The remainder, viz: "If not, shall a temporary boundary be marked makingthe Oconee the line, and the other parts of the treaty be concluded?"

"In this case shall a secure port be stipulated and the pecuniary andhonorary considerations granted?"

"Is other general objects shall the treaties formed at Hopewell with theCherokees, Chickesaws, and Choctaws be the basis of a treaty with theCreeks?" were all answered in the affirmative. 

On the seventh question, viz, "Shall the sum of $20, 000 appropriatedto Indian expenses and treaties be wholly applied, if necessary, toa treaty with the Creeks? If not, what proportion?" it was agreed toadvise and consent to appropriate the whole sum, if necessary, at thediscretion of the President of the United States. 

The President of the United States withdrew from the Senate Chamber, andthe Vice-President put the question of adjournment, to which the Senateagreed. 

UNITED STATES, _September 26, 1789_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

Having yesterday received a letter written in this month by the governorof Rhode Island at the request and in behalf of the general assembly ofthat State, addressed to the President, the Senate, and the House ofRepresentatives of the eleven United States of America in Congressassembled, I take the earliest opportunity of laying a copy of it beforeyou. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS, _In General Assembly, September Session, 1789_. 

_To the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of theEleven United States of America in Congress assembled_:

The critical situation in which the people of this State are placedengage us to make these assurances on their behalf of their attachmentand friendship to their sister States and of their disposition tocultivate mutual harmony and friendly intercourse. They know themselvesto be a handful, comparatively viewed; and although they now stand, asit were, alone, they have not separated themselves or departed from theprinciples of that Confederation which was formed by the sister Statesin their struggle for freedom and in the hour of danger. They seek bythis memorial to call to your remembrance the hazards which we have run, the hardships we have endured, the treasure we have spent, and the bloodwe have lost together in one common cause, and especially the objectwe had in view--the preservation of our liberty; wherein, abilityconsidered, they may truly say they were equal in exertions with theforemost, the effects whereof, in great embarrassments and otherdistresses consequent thereon, we have since experienced with severity;which common sufferings and common danger we hope and trust yet form abond of union and friendship not easily to be broken. 

Our not having acceded to or adopted the new system of government formedand adopted by most of our sister States we doubt not have givenuneasiness to them. That we have not seen our way clear to do itconsistent with our idea of the principles upon which we all embarkedtogether has also given pain to us. We have not doubted but we mightthereby avoid present difficulties, but we have apprehended futuremischief. The people of this State from its first settlement have beenaccustomed and strongly attached to a democratical form of government. They have viewed in the Constitution an approach, though perhaps butsmall, toward that form of government from which we have latelydissolved our connection at so much hazard and expense of life andtreasure; they have seen with pleasure the administration thereof fromthe most important trust downward committed to men who have highlymerited and in whom the people of the United States place unboundedconfidence. Yet even in this circumstance, in itself so fortunate, theyhave apprehended danger by way of precedent. Can it be thought strange, then, that with these impressions they should wait to see the proposedsystem organized and in operation, to see what further checks andsecurities would be agreed to and established, by way of amendments, before they could adopt it as a constitution of government forthemselves and their posterity? These amendments, we believe, havealready afforded some relief and satisfaction to the minds of the peopleof this State, and we earnestly look for the time when they may withclearness and safety be again united with their sister States under aconstitution and form of government so well poised as neither to needalteration or be liable thereto by a majority only of nine States out ofthirteen--a circumstance which may possibly take place against the senseof a majority of the people of the United States. We are sensible of theextremes to which democratical government is sometimes liable, somethingof which we have lately experienced; but we esteem them temporary andpartial evils compared with the loss of liberty and the rights of a freepeople. Neither do we apprehend they will be marked with severity by oursister States when it is considered that during the late trouble thewhole United States, notwithstanding their joint wisdom and efforts, fell into the like misfortune; that from our extraordinary exertionsthis State was left in a situation nearly as embarrassing as thatduring the war; that in the measures which were adopted governmentunfortunately had not that aid and support from the moneyed interestwhich our sister States of New York and the Carolinas experienced undersimilar circumstances; and especially when it is considered that uponsome abatement of that fermentation in the minds of the people which isso common in the collision of sentiments and of parties a dispositionappears to provide a remedy for the difficulties we have labored underon that account. We are induced to hope that we shall not be altogetherconsidered as foreigners having no particular affinity or connectionwith the United States, but that trade and commerce, upon which theprosperity of this State much depends, will be preserved as free andopen between this and the United States as our different situations atpresent can possibly admit; earnestly desiring and proposing to adoptsuch commercial regulations on our part as shall not tend to defeat thecollection of the revenue of the United States, but rather to act inconformity to or cooperate therewith, and desiring also to give thestrongest assurances that we shall during our present situation use ourutmost endeavors to be in preparation from time to time to answer ourproportion of such part of the interest or principal of the foreign anddomestic debt as the United States shall judge expedient to pay anddischarge. 

We feel ourselves attached by the strongest ties of friendship, kindred, and of interest with our sister States, and we can not without thegreatest reluctance look to any other quarter for those advantages ofcommercial intercourse which we conceive to be more natural andreciprocal between them and us. 

I am, at the request and in behalf of the general assembly, your mostobedient, humble servant, JOHN COLLINS, _Governor_. 

His Excellency the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 

UNITED STATES, _February 9, 1790_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

Among the persons appointed during the last session to offices under theNational Government there were some who declined serving. Their namesand offices are specified in the first column of the foregoing list. [2]I supplied these vacancies, agreeably to the Constitution, by temporaryappointments, which you will find mentioned in the second column of thelist. These appointments will expire with your present session, and, indeed, ought not to endure longer than until others can be regularlymade. For that purpose I now nominate to you the persons named in thethird column of the list as being, in my opinion, qualified to fill theoffices opposite to their names in the first. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 2: Omitted. ]

UNITED STATES, _December 14, 1790_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives_:

Having informed Congress of the expedition which had been directedagainst certain Indians northwest of the Ohio, I embrace the earliestopportunity of laying before you the official communications which havebeen received upon that subject. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[The following was transmitted with the message of January 26, 1791 (seeVol. I, p. 95). ]

[From Annals of Congress, Vol. II, 2116-2118. ]

PARIS, _June 20, 1790_. 

Mr. PRESIDENT:

The National Assembly has worn during three days mourning for BenjaminFranklin, your fellow-citizen, your friend, and one of the most usefulof your cooperators in the establishment of American liberty. Theycharge me to communicate their resolution to the Congress of the UnitedStates. In consequence I have the honor to address to you, Mr. President, the extract from the proceedings of their session of the 11thwhich contains the deliberations. 

The National Assembly have not been stopped in their decree by theconsideration that Franklin was a stranger. Great men are the fathers ofuniversal humanity; their loss ought to be felt as a common misfortuneby all the tribes of the great human family; and it belongs withoutdoubt to a nation still affected by all the sentiments which accompanythe achievement of their liberty, and which owes its enfranchisementessentially to the progress of the public reason, to be the first togive the example of the filial gratitude of the people toward their truebenefactors. Besides that, these ideas and this example are so proper todisseminate a happy emulation of patriotism, and thus to extend more andmore the empire of reason and virtue, which could not fail promptly todetermine a body devoted to the most important legislative combinations. Charged with assuring to the French the rights of men and citizens, ithas believed without doubt that fruitful and great truths were likewisenumbered among the rights of man. 

The name of Benjamin Franklin will be immortal in the records of freedomand philosophy, but it is more particularly dear to a country where, conducted by the most sublime mission, this venerable man grew verysoon to acquire an infinite number of friends and admirers as well bythe simplicity and sweetness of his manners as by the purity of hisprinciples, the extent of his knowledge, and the charms of his mind. 

It will be remembered that every success which he obtained in hisimportant negotiation was applauded and celebrated (so to express it)all over France as so many crowns conferred on genius and virtue. 

Even then the sentiment of our rights existed in the bottom of oursouls. It was easily perceived that it feelingly mingled in the interestwhich we took in America and in the public vows which we preferred foryour liberty. 

At last the hour of the French has arrived. We love to think that thecitizens of the United States have not regarded with indifference oursteps toward liberty. Twenty-six millions of men breaking their chainsand seriously occupied in giving themselves a durable constitution arenot unworthy the esteem of a generous people who have preceded them inthat noble career. 

We hope they will learn with interest the funeral homage which wehave rendered the Nestor of America. May this solemn act of fraternalfriendship serve more and more to bind the tie which ought to unite twofree nations. May the common enjoyment of liberty shed itself over thewhole globe and become an indissoluble chain of connection among allthe people of the earth. For ought they not to perceive that they willmarch more steadfastly and more certainly to their true happiness inunderstanding and loving each other than in being jealous and fighting?

May the Congress of the United States and the National Assembly ofFrance be the first to furnish this fine spectacle to the world! Andmay the individuals of the two nations connect themselves by a mutualaffection worthy of the friendship which unites the two men at thisday most illustrious by their exertions for liberty--Washington andLafayette!

Permit me, Mr. President, to offer on this occasion my particular homageof esteem and admiration. 

I have the honor to be, with respectful consideration, Mr. President, your most humble and most obedient servant, SIEVÈS, _President_. 

DECREE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 11TH OF JUNE, 1790. 

The National Assembly decree that their members shall wear during threedays mourning for Benjamin Franklin, to commence on Monday next; thatthe discourse pronounced on this occasion be printed, and that thepresident write to the American Congress in the name of the NationalAssembly. 

Compared with the original by us, president and secretaries of theNational Assembly, at Paris, June 10, 1790. 

 SIEVÈS, _President_. GOUDAU, FÉLIX DE PARDIEU, DUMOUCHET, _Secretaries_. 

UNITED STATES, _February 18, 1791_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I have received from the Secretary of State a report on the proceedingsof the governor of the Northwestern Territory at Kaskaskia, Kahokia, and Prairie under the resolution of Congress of August 29, 1788, which, containing matter proper for your consideration, I lay the same beforeyou. [3]

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 3: Relating to land claimants in the Northwest Territory. ]

UNITED STATES, _February 22, 1791_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

I lay before you a report of the Secretary of War, relative to theappointment of two brigadier-generals of militia in the territory ofthe United States south of the Ohio, and I nominate John Sevier tobe brigadier-general of the militia of Washington district and JamesRobertson to be brigadier-general of the militia of Miro district, both within the said territory. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _December 28, 1791_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I lay before you, for your consideration, the copy of a letter[4] whichI have received from the Attorney-General of the United States. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 4: Respecting the relation between district attorneys and theAttorney-General. ]

UNITED STATES, _January 2, 1792_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I lay before you an official statement of the expenditures to the end ofthe year 1791 from the sum of $10, 000 granted to defray the contingentexpenses of Government by an act passed on the 26th of March, 1790. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _November 7, 1792_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I lay before you copies of certain papers relative to the Spanishinterference in the execution of the treaty entered into in the year1790 between the United States and the Creek Nation of Indians, togetherwith a letter from the Secretary of State to the President of the UnitedStates on the same subject. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _December 30, 1793_. 

_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

I now transmit you a report by the Secretary of State of such laws, decrees, and ordinances, [5] or their substance, respecting commerce in thecountries with which the United States have commercial intercourse ashe has received and had not stated in his report of the 16th instant. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 5: Decree of the National Assembly of France of March 26, 1793, "exempting from all duties the subsistence and other objects ofsupply in the colonies relatively to the United States, " and extract ofan ordinance of Spain of June 9, 1793, "for regulating provisionallythe commerce of Louisiana and the Floridas. "]

UNITED STATES, _December 30, 1793_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I communicate to you the translation of a letter[6] received from therepresentatives of Spain here in reply to that of the Secretary of Stateto them of the 21st instant, which had before been communicated to you. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 6: Relating to affairs with Indians on the southern frontier. ]

UNITED STATES, _December 31, 1793_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I now lay before you a letter from the Secretary of State, withhis account of the expenditure of the moneys appropriated for ourintercourse with foreign nations from the 1st of July, 1792, to the 1stof July, 1793, and other papers relating thereto. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _January 6, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

I herewith transmit the copy of a letter from the Secretary of War, stating the circumstances which have hitherto prevented any explanationof the fourth article of the treaty with the Wabash Indians. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _January 7, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I lay before you an official statement of the expenditure to the end ofthe year 1793 from the sum of $10, 000 granted to defray the contingentexpenses of Government by an act passed on the 26th of March, 1790. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _January 15, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I lay before you, as being connected with the correspondence already inyour possession between the Secretary of State and the ministerplenipotentiary of the French Republic, the copy of a letter from thatminister of the 25th of December, 1793, and a copy of the proceedings ofthe legislature of the State of South Carolina. [7]

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 7: Relating to enlistments in South Carolina for the serviceof the French Republic. ]

UNITED STATES, _January 16, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I transmit for your information certain intelligence[8] lately receivedfrom Europe, as it relates to the subject of my past communications. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 8: Respecting relations between the United States and France. ]

UNITED STATES, _January 22, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I forward to you extracts from the last advices from our minister inLondon[9], as being connected with communications already made. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 9: Relating to commercial restrictions. ]

UNITED STATES, _January 30, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

I lay before you the copy of a letter from the governor of the State ofNorth Carolina, together with two petitions, [10] to which it refers, andwhich I am requested by the legislature of that State and himself totransmit to Congress. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 10: Relating to lands ceded to the United States by NorthCarolina. ]

UNITED STATES, _March 12, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I transmit to you the translation of two letters from the commissionersof His Catholic Majesty to the Secretary of State, and of theirinclosures. [11]

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 11: Relating to the declaration of war of March 23, 1793, against France by Spain and to expeditions of United States citizensagainst East Florida. ]

UNITED STATES, _March 25, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

The two letters[12] which I now forward to Congress were written by aconsul of the United States, and contain information which will probablybe thought to require some pecuniary provision. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 12: Relating to the capture of American vessels by Britishships of war. ]

UNITED STATES, _May 23, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I lay before you the copy of a letter from the minister plenipotentiaryof His Britannic Majesty, in answer to a letter from the Secretary ofState communicated to Congress yesterday, and also the copy of a letterfrom the Secretary which is referred to in the above-mentioned letter ofthe minister. [13]

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 13: Relating to a speech of Lord Dorchester, Governor-Generalof Canada, tending to an incitement of the Indians to hostilitiesagainst the United States, to complaints against alleged acts ofviolence by citizens of Vermont, etc. ]

UNITED STATES, _June 4, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I lay before Congress the copy of a letter, with its inclosures, fromthe Secretary of State to the minister plenipotentiary of His BritannicMajesty, it being an answer to a letter from the minister to him bearingdate the 22d ultimo and already communicated. [14]

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 14: Relating to a speech of Lord Dorchester, Governor-Generalof Canada, tending to an incitement of the Indians to hostilitiesagainst the United States; justifying the measures pursued by the UnitedStates to enforce their neutrality, and rebutting the accusation ofpartiality to France. ]

UNITED STATES, _December 3, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I transmit to you an official statement of the expenditure to the 30thof September last from the sums heretofore granted to defray thecontingent expenses of Government by acts passed the 26th day of March, 1790, and the 9th of June, 1794. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _December 11, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I transmit to you, for consideration, a representation made to me bythe Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of constituting an officerto be specially charged with the business of procuring certain publicsupplies. [15]

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 15: For the Army and Navy. ]

UNITED STATES, _December 16, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I transmit to Congress the copy of a letter from the Secretary of State, with his account, as adjusted with the Treasury Department, of theexpenditure of moneys appropriated for our intercourse with foreignnations up to the 1st of July, 1794. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _December 30, 1794_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

I lay before you, for your consideration, certain additional articlesof the treaty with the Cherokees, stipulated the 28th of June last, together with the conferences which occasioned the formation of thesaid articles. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _January 12, 1795_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I lay before Congress, for their consideration, the copy of a letterfrom the Secretary of War, accompanied by an extract from a memorandumof James Seagrove, agent of Indian affairs. [16]

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 16: Relating to the justice of compensating owners of negroestaken by the Creek Indians from the conclusion of the Revolutionary Warto 1790. ]

[The following was transmitted with the message of January 4, 1796 (seeVol. I, pp. 189-190). ]

[From American State Papers, Foreign Relations, Vol. I, pp. 527-528. ]

PARIS, _30th Vendémiaire, Third Year of the French Republic, One andIndivisible (October 21, 1794)_. 

_The Representatives of the French People composing the Committeeof Public Safety of the National Convention, charged by the law ofthe 7th Fructidor with the direction of foreign relations, to theRepresentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled_. 

CITIZENS REPRESENTATIVES: The connections which nature, reciprocalwants, and a happy concurrence of circumstances have formed between twofree nations can not but be indissoluble. You have strengthened thosesacred ties by the declarations which the minister plenipotentiary ofthe United States has made in your name to the National Convention andto the French people. They have been received with rapture by a nationwho know how to appreciate every testimony which the United States havegiven to them of their affection. The colors of both nations, united inthe center of the National Convention, will be an everlasting evidenceof the part which the United States have taken in the success of theFrench Republic. 

You were the first defenders of the rights of man in another hemisphere. Strengthened by your example and endowed with an invincible energy, the French people have vanquished that tyranny which during so manycenturies of ignorance, superstition, and baseness had enchained agenerous nation. 

Soon did the people of the United States perceive that every victory ofours strengthened their independence and happiness. They were deeplyaffected at our momentary misfortunes, occasioned by treasons purchasedby English gold. They have celebrated with rapture the successes of ourbrave armies. 

None of these sympathetic emotions have escaped the sensibility of theFrench nation. They have all served to cement the most intimate andsolid union that has ever existed between two nations. 

The citizen Adet, who will reside near your Government in qualityof minister plenipotentiary of the French Republic, is especiallyinstructed to tighten these bands of fraternity and mutual benevolence. We hope that he may fulfill this principal object of his mission by aconduct worthy of the confidence of both nations and of the reputationwhich his patriotism and virtues have acquired him. 

An analogy of political principles; the natural relations of commerceand industry; the efforts and immense sacrifices of both nations in thedefense of liberty and equality; the blood which they have spilledtogether; their avowed hatred for despots; the moderation of theirpolitical views; the disinterestedness of their counsels, and especiallythe success of the vows which they have made, in presence of the SupremeBeing, to be free or die, all combine to render indestructible theconnections which they have formed. 

Doubt it not, citizens, we shall finally destroy the combination oftyrants--you by the picture of prosperity which in your vast country hassucceeded to a bloody struggle of eight years; we by that enthusiasmwhich glows in the breast of every Frenchman. Astonished nations, toolong the dupes of perfidious kings, nobles, and priests, will eventuallyrecover their rights, and the human race will owe to the American andFrench nations their regeneration and a lasting peace. 

The members of the Committee of Public Safety, J. S. B. DELMAS, MERLIN (OF DOUAI), ETC. , ETC. 

_The minister plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Presidentof the United States_. 

Mr. PRESIDENT: I come to acquit myself of a duty very dear to my heart. I come to deposit in your hands and in the midst of a people justlyrenowned for their courage and their love of liberty the symbol of thetriumphs and of the enfranchisement of my nation. 

When she broke her chains; when she proclaimed the imprescriptiblerights of man; when in a terrible war she sealed with her blood thecovenant she had made with liberty, her own happiness was not alonethe object of her glorious efforts; her views extended also to all freepeople. She saw their interest blended with her own, and doubly rejoicedin her victories, which in assuring to her the enjoyment of her rightsbecame to them new guaranties of their independence. 

These sentiments, which animated the French nation from the dawn oftheir revolution, have acquired new strength since the foundationof the Republic. France at that time, by the form of its Government, assimilated to, or rather identified with, free people, saw in them onlyfriends and brothers. Long accustomed to regard the American people asher most faithful allies, she has sought to draw closer the ties alreadyformed in the fields of America, under the auspices of victory, over theruins of tyranny. 

The National Convention, the organ of the will of the French nation, have more than once expressed their sentiments to the American people, but above all these burst forth on that august day when the minister ofthe United States presented to the National Representation the colors ofhis country. Desiring never to lose recollections as dear to Frenchmenas they must be to Americans, the Convention ordered that these colorsshould be placed in the hall of their sittings. They had experiencedsensations too agreeable not to cause them to be partaken of by theirallies, and decreed that to them the national colors should bepresented. 

Mr. President, I do not doubt their expectation will be fulfilled, andI am convinced that every citizen will receive with a pleasing emotionthis flag, elsewhere the terror of the enemies of liberty, here thecertain pledge of faithful friendship, especially when they recollectthat it guides to combat men who have shared their toils and who wereprepared for liberty by aiding them to acquire their own. 

P. A. ADET. 

_Answer of the President of the United States_. 

UNITED STATES, _January 1, 1796_. 

Born, sir, in a land of liberty; having early learned its value; havingengaged in a perilous conflict to defend it; having, in a word, devotedthe best years of my life to secure its permanent establishment in myown country, my anxious recollections, my sympathetic feelings, and mybest wishes are irresistibly excited whensoever in any country I seean oppressed nation unfurl the banners of freedom. But above all, theevents of the French Revolution have produced the deepest solicitudeas well as the highest admiration. To call your nation brave were topronounce but common praise. Wonderful people! Ages to come will readwith astonishment the history of your brilliant exploits! I rejoice thatthe period of your toils and of your immense sacrifices is approaching. I rejoice that the interesting revolutionary movements of so manyyears have issued in the formation of a constitution designed to givepermanency to the great object for which you have contended. I rejoicethat liberty, which you have so long embraced with enthusiasm--liberty, of which you have been the invincible defenders--now finds an asylum inthe bosom of a regularly organized Government, a Government which, beingformed to secure the happiness of the French people, corresponds withthe ardent wishes of my heart, while it gratifies the pride of everycitizen of the United States by its resemblance to their own. On theseglorious events accept, sir, my sincere congratulations. 

In delivering to you these sentiments I express not my own feelingsonly, but those of my fellow-citizens, in relation to the commencement, the progress, and the issue of the French Revolution, and they willcordially join with me in purest wishes to the Supreme Being that thecitizens of our sister Republic, our magnanimous allies, may soon enjoyin peace that liberty which they have purchased at so great a price, and all the happiness which liberty can bestow. 

I receive, sir, with lively sensibility the symbol of the triumphs andof the enfranchisement of your nation, the colors of France, which youhave now presented to the United States. The transaction will beannounced to Congress, and the colors will be deposited with thosearchives of the United States which are at once the evidences and thememorials of their freedom and independence. May these be perpetual, and may the friendship of the two Republics be commensurate with theirexistence. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _January 13, 1796_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I lay before you an official statement of the expenditure to the end ofthe year 1795 from the sums heretofore granted to defray the contingentexpenses of the Government. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _February 29, 1796_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

I send herewith the papers relating to the negotiation of the treatywith Spain, to which I referred in my message of the 26th instant. [17]

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 17: See Vol. I, p. 192. ]

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

I send herewith a copy of the treaty of friendship, limits, andnavigation between the United States and His Catholic Majesty, which hasbeen ratified by me with your advice and consent. A copy of the treatywill be immediately communicated to the House of Representatives, itbeing necessary to make provision in the present session for carryinginto execution the third and twenty-first articles, particularly theformer, seeing that execution must commence before the next meeting ofCongress. 

Estimates of the moneys necessary to be provided for the purposes ofthis and several other treaties with foreign nations and the Indiantribes will be laid before you by the proper Department. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

MARCH 29, 1796. 

UNITED STATES, _February 15, 1707_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I lay before you an official statement of the expenditure to the end ofthe year 1796 from the sums heretofore granted to defray the contingentcharges of the Government. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

UNITED STATES, _June 22, 1797_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

Having sent the report and documents which accompany this message to theHouse of Representatives, [18] in compliance with their desire expressedin their resolution of the 10th of this month, I think it proper to sendduplicates to the Senate for their information. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 18: See message of June 22, 1797, Vol. I, p. 247. ]

UNITED STATES, _May 4, 1798_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

I now transmit to Congress copies of all the communications[19] from ourenvoys extraordinary received since their arrival in Paris, exceptingthose before presented by me to both Houses. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 19: Relating to affairs between the United States and France. ]

UNITED STATES, _May 29, 1798_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

An article explanatory of the treaty of amity, commerce, and navigationbetween the United States and His Britannic Majesty has been signed bythe plenipotentiaries of the two powers, which I now submit to theSenate for their consideration. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

UNITED STATES, _June 5, 1798_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

I now transmit to both Houses the communications[20] from our envoysat Paris received since the last which have been presented by me toCongress. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 20: Relating to affairs between the United States and France. ]

UNITED STATES, _June 18, 1798_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

I now transmit to Congress the dispatch No. 8 from our envoysextraordinary to the French Republic, [21] which was received at theSecretary of State's office on Thursday, the 14th day of this month. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 21: Inclosing correspondence with the French minister offoreign relations relative to affairs between the United States andFrance. ]

DECEMBER 31, 1798. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

A report of the Secretary of War made to me on the 24th of this month, relative to the military establishment, [22] I think it my duty totransmit to Congress and recommend to their consideration. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 22: Reorganization of the Army. ]

JANUARY 8, 1799. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

In obedience to the law, I now lay before you my annual account of theapplication of the grant made by Congress for the contingent charges ofGovernment from the 1st of January to the 31st of December, 1798. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

JANUARY 21, 1799. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

According to an intimation in my message of Friday last, [23] I now laybefore Congress a report of the Secretary of State, containing hisobservations on some of the documents which attended it. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 23: See message of January 18, 1799, Vol. I, p. 281. ]

JANUARY 30, 1799. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

I send you, for your consideration, a treaty with the Oneida Nation ofIndians, made on the 1st day of June, 1798, at their village. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

JANUARY 31, 1799. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

I have received a report from the Director of the Mint on the state ofthe business committed to his superintendence, and a statement of thecoinage of the Mint of the United States for the year 1798, which it isproper to lay before Congress. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

UNITED STATES, _December 13, 1799_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

In conformity with your recommendation expressed in your resolution ofMarch 6, 1798, I have entered into a friendly negotiation with the Beyand Government of Tunis on the subject[24] of the fourteenth article ofthe treaty of peace and friendship between the United States and thatpower. The result of that negotiation I now lay before the Senate fortheir consideration. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 24: Commerce. ]

UNITED STATES, _January 8, 1800_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

A report made to me on the 1st day of this month by the Director of theMint, through the office of the Secretary of State, with the documentsattending it, I transmit to both Houses of Congress for theirconsideration. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

UNITED STATES, _January 20, 1800_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

In obedience to law, I transmit to Congress my annual account of thecontingent fund. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

UNITED STATES, _February 7, 1800_. 

_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

In consequence of your request to me conveyed in your resolution of the4th of this month, I directed the Secretary of State to lay before mecopies of the papers intended. [25] These copies, together with hisreport, I now transmit to the House of Representatives, for theconsideration of the members. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 25: Relating to the surrender by the United States to GreatBritain of Thomas Nash, charged with murder and piracy on the Britishfrigate _Hermione_. ]

UNITED STATES, _February 17, 1800_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

I now lay before you the instructions given to our minister at the Courtof Berlin, with the correspondence, respecting the negotiation of thetreaty with Prussia, according to your request of the 12th of thismonth. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

UNITED STATES, _April 17, 1800_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

In conformity with your request, I transmit you a return from theWar Office of those officers who have been appointed under the actentitled "An act to augment the Army of the United States, and forother purposes, " designating such officers who have accepted theirappointments and those who have declined accepting, resigned theircommissions, died, etc. 

A report from the Secretary of War, which accompanied this return, asit contains observations which may throw some light upon the subject, I transmit with it. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

UNITED STATES, _December 22, 1800_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

In conformity with your request in your resolution of the 19th ofthis month, I transmit you the instructions given to our late envoysextraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary to the French Republic. 

It is my request to the Senate that these instructions may be consideredin strict confidence and returned to me as soon as the Senate shall havemade all the use of them they may judge necessary. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

UNITED STATES, _January 16, 1801_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

I now transmit to both Houses of Congress, in conformity to law, myannual account of the application of grants for the contingent chargesof Government for the year 1800. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

UNITED STATES, _February 20, 1801_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

The inclosed report[26] to me, made by the Acting Secretary of War on the14th of this month, appears to be so well founded in all respects that Irecommend it to the consideration of Congress. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 26: Relating to the inconveniences arising from the want of acompetent general staff of the Army. ]

UNITED STATES, _February 20, 1801_. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

I request of the Senate that the letter and journal of our late envoysto France and the copy of their instructions and other documents relativeto that negotiation may be returned to me or to the Office of State. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

UNITED STATES, _February 27, 1801_. 

_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

I transmit you a report of the Secretary of State, with sundry documents, relative to the subject of your resolution of the 24th instant. [27]

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 27: Relating to depredations on American commerce by Britishships of war; lists of captured American vessels, etc. ]

UNITED STATES, _February 27, 1801_. 

_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

I transmit to you, in conformity with your request of the 17th instant, two reports, one from the Acting Secretary of War, the other from theSecretary of the Treasury, of the 26th, [28] with details of theexpenditure of the moneys appropriated by the acts of the 20th [4th]of May and 6th of July, 1798, and of the 10th of May, 1800. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

[Footnote 28: Estimates of the necessary expenditures for the purchaseand fabrication of arms and cannon and establishment of foundries andarmories, 1798-1801, and statement of appropriations for above purposesand of warrants drawn on same to December 31, 1800. ]

JANUARY 12, 1802. 

_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

According to the request in your resolution of the 8th instant, I nowlay before you a letter from the Secretary of State, containing anestimate of the expenses necessary for carrying into effect theconvention between the United States of America and the French Republic. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

FEBRUARY 8, 1802. 

_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

In compliance with your resolution of the 2d instant, I have to informyou that early in the preceding summer I took measures for carrying intoeffect the act passed on the 19th of February, 1799, and that of the13th of May, 1800, mentioned in your resolution. The objects of theseacts were understood to be to purchase from the Indians south of theOhio some portions of land peculiarly interesting to the Union or toparticular States and the establishment of certain roads to facilitatecommunication with our distant settlements. Commissioners wereaccordingly appointed to treat with the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks. As these nations are known to be very jealous on the subjectof their lands, the commissioners were instructed, as will be seen bythe inclosed extract, to enlarge, restrain, or even to suppresspropositions as appearances should indicate to be expedient. Their firstmeeting was with the Cherokees. The extract from the speech of ourcommissioners and the answers of the Cherokee chiefs will show thecaution of the former and the temper of the latter, and that though ourovertures to them were moderate and respectful of their rights, theirdetermination was to yield no accommodation. 

The commissioners proceeded then to the Chickasaws, who discovered atfirst considerable alarm and anxiety lest land should be asked of them. A just regard for this very friendly nation, whose attachment to us hasbeen invariable, forbade the pressure of anything disagreeable on them, and they yielded with alacrity the road through their country which wasasked and was essential to our communication with the MississippiTerritory. 

The conferences with the Choctaws are probably ended, but as yet we arenot informed of their result. Those with the Creeks are not expected tobe held till the ensuing spring. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

FEBRUARY 17, 1802. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I lay before both Houses of Congress, for their information, the reportfrom the Director of the Mint, now inclosed. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

MARCH 25, 1802. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

The act fixing the military peace establishment of the United Statesrendering it necessary that the officers retained in service should inmost cases be transferred into regiments different from those to whichtheir commissions attach them, new commissions are deemed necessary forthem, as well as for those entitled to promotion and for the ensignsnewly nominated. The inclosed report from the Secretary of War exhibitsthe transfers, promotions, and new appointments proposed in conformitywith the law, and I accordingly nominate the several persons named inthe report for commissions according to its tenor. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

APRIL 3, 1802. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

According to the request expressed in your resolution of yesterday, Inow transmit to the Senate the proceedings of the court-martial latelyheld for the trial of Captain Cornelius Lyman, asking the favor of theirreturn at the convenience of the Senate, as they are the originals. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

APRIL 17, 1802. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate_:

I now transmit you a report of the Secretary of State, with the documentaccompanying it, on the subject of your resolution of the 12th instant, concerning the seventh article[29] of the treaty between the UnitedStates and Great Britain. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 29: Relating to claims of American citizens against GreatBritain and of British subjects against the United States for illegalcaptures of vessels, etc. ]

APRIL 20, 1802. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

The object of the inclosed letter from the Director of the Mint atPhiladelphia being within legislative competence only, I transmit it toboth Houses of Congress. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

JANUARY 11, 1803. 

_Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_:

I transmit you a report received from the Director of the Mint on thesubject of that institution. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

MARCH 1, 1803. 

_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_:

According to the request stated in your resolution of December 20, I communicated to you such returns of the militia of the differentStates as had then been received. [30] Since that date returns have beenreceived from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, NorthCarolina, Georgia, and Kentucky, which are now transmitted to you. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 30: See message of January 5, 1803, Vol. I, p. 350. ]

DECEMBER 7, 1803. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

Since the last communication made to Congress of the laws of the IndianaTerritory I have received those of which a copy is now inclosed for theinformation of both Houses. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

JANUARY 13, 1804. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

The Director of the Mint having made to me his report of thetransactions of the Mint for the year 1803, I now lay the same beforeyou for your information. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

MARCH 7, 1804. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate to Congress an extract of a letter from Governor Claiborneto the Secretary of State, with one which it covered, for theirinformation as to the present state of the subject to which theyrelate. [31]

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 31: Importation of slaves into Louisiana. ]

MARCH 15, 1804. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

Agreeably to the request of the Senate and House of Representatives, delivered me by their Joint Committee of Enrolled Bills, I now returnthe enrolled bill entitled "An act for the relief of the captors of theMoorish armed ships _Meshouda_ and _Mirboha_" to the House ofRepresentatives, in which it originated. 

TH: JEFFERSON

[The same message was sent to the Senate. ]

DECEMBER 6, 1804. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, a report of the Surveyorof the Public Buildings at Washington on the subject of those buildingsand the application of the moneys appropriated for them. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

JANUARY 25, 1805. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of theDirector of the Mint of the operations of that institution during thelast year. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

JANUARY 31, 1805. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

According to the desire expressed in your resolution of the 28th instant, I now communicate a report of the Secretary of State, with documents, relative to complaints[32] against arming the merchant ships andvessels of the United States and the conduct of the captains and crewsof such as have been armed. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 32: By Great Britain and France. ]

FEBRUARY 23, 1805. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

In further compliance with the desire of the House of Representatives, expressed in their resolution of December 31, I now transmit thereport and map of Isaac Briggs referred to in my message of the 1stinstant, [33] and received by the last post from New Orleans. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 33: See Vol. I, pp. 376-377. ]

DECEMBER 6, 1805. 

The PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE. 

SIR: In order to give to Congress the details necessary for their fullinformation of the state of things between Spain and the United States, I send them the communication and documents now inclosed. Althoughstated to be confidential, that term is not meant to be extended to allthe documents, the greater part of which are proper for the public eye. It is applied only to the message itself and to the letters from ourown and foreign ministers, which if disclosed might throw additionaldifficulties in the way of accommodation. These alone, therefore, aredelivered to the Legislature in confidence that they will be keptsecret. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[The same message was addressed to the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives. ]

DECEMBER 10, 1805. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

The inclosed documents, [34] relating to my message of the 6th instant, not being ready at that date, I thought it better not to detain themessage, but to communicate these papers afterwards, as supplementary tothose then sent. They are not of a nature to be deemed confidential. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 34: Relating to depredations on American commerce by Spanishprivateers, etc. ]

DECEMBER 27, 1805. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a report of the Surveyor of the Public Buildings, stating the progress made on them during the last season and what may beexpected to be accomplished in the ensuing one. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

JANUARY 15, 1806. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of theDirector of the Mint of the operations of that institution during thelast year. 

TH: JEFFERSON

JANUARY 24, 1806. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

According to the request of your resolution of yesterday, I againcommunicate the letter of the minister plenipotentiary of the UnitedStates at London to the secretary of that Government for foreign affairsdated October 18, 1805, with a postscript of October 25, but still inconfidence that the matter of it shall not be made public. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

FEBRUARY 4, 1806. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I now transmit the letters desired by the resolution of the Senate ofJanuary 20 so far as they exist in the offices, to wit:

Extract of a letter from the Department of State to Mr. Eaton, May 20, 1801. 

The letter from Mr. Cathcart to Mr. Eaton dated Leghorn, June 15, 1801, is not in the offices, but the substance of it is supposed to be recitedin those of Mr. Cathcart to the Secretary of State of August 15, 1802, and July 2, 1801, extracts of both of which are transmitted. 

The letter of Mr. Eaton of September 5, 1801, supposed to be thatintended by the Senate, as it answers their description. There is noletter of his of September 15. 

Extract of a letter from William Eaton to the Secretary of State, December 13, 1801. 

Extract from Captain Murray's letter of August 18, 1802. 

Extract of a letter from Mr. Cathcart to the Secretary of State, August25, 1802. 

Extract of a letter from Mr. Morris to the Secretary of the Navy, March30, 1803. 

The letter from the Swedish admiral to Hamet Bashaw designated in theresolution of the Senate is not in possession of the Executive. 

The extracts above mentioned give the whole matter contained in therespective letters relating to Hamet B. Caramalli. The parts omitted areon subjects entirely foreign to what concerns him. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

FEBRUARY 4, 1806. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

Sundry letters relative to Hamet Caramalli, in addition to the documentswhich accompanied my message of January 13, [35] having been sent to theSenate on their particular request, the same are now transmitted to theHouse of Representatives also, as the same subject is before them. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 35: See Vol. I, pp. 392-394. ]

FEBRUARY 7, 1806. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit, for the consideration of the Senate, a treaty entered intoon behalf of the United States with the Piankeshaw Indians, whereby ourpossessions on the north bank of the Ohio are entirely consolidated; andI ask the advice and consent of the Senate as to its ratification. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

FEBRUARY 18, 1806. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I now communicate to the House of Representatives the informationdesired by their resolutions of January 24, relative to thefortifications erected at the several ports and harbors of the UnitedStates and their Territories and to the Navy and navy-yards of theUnited States. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

FEBRUARY 18, 1806. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

On the 13th instant I approved and signed the act entitled "An actmaking provision for defraying any extraordinary expenses attendingthe intercourse between the United States and foreign nations, " whichoriginated in the House of Representatives, and I shall in due seasondeposit it among the rolls in the office of the Secretary of State. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate to Congress a letter recently received from the ministerplenipotentiary of the United States at London, stating some circumstanceswhich bear relation to the subject of my messages of January17. [36] This paper being original and to be communicated to both Houses, the return of it is requested. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

MARCH 24, 1806. 

[Footnote 36: See Vol. I, pp. 395-396. ]

DECEMBER 15, 1806. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a report of the Surveyor of the Public Buildings, stating the progress made on them during the last season and what isproposed for the ensuing one. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

DECEMBER 23, 1806. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I now lay before you accounts of the sums which have been expended bythe United States on the Capitol, the President's house, the publicoffices, the navy-yard, and the marine barracks, respectively, and theamount expended on other objects of public expense within the city ofWashington, as requested by your resolution of the 15th instant. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

JANUARY 5, 1807. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with the request of the House of Representativescommunicated in their resolution of the 26th of December, I now laybefore them a report of the Secretary of the Navy on the state of thefrigates, supplementary to his former report of January 28 of the lastyear, communicated to the House of Representatives. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

JANUARY 27, 1807. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of theDirector of the Mint of the operations of that establishment during thelast year. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

FEBRUARY 11, 1807. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to both Houses of Congress the laws adopted by the governmentand judges of the Territory of Michigan from the 1st day of July, 1806, to the 1st day of the present year. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

JANUARY 8, 1808. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of theDirector of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during thelast year. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

JANUARY 30, 1808. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

The Senate having advised and consented to the ratification of thetreaty with the Ottaways, Chippeways, Wyandots, and Pottawattamiesconcluded at Detroit on the 17th day of November last, and also to thetreaty concluded with the Choctaws at Pooshapukanuck on the 16th ofNovember, 1805, I now lay them before both Houses of Congress for theexercise of their constitutional powers as to the means of fulfillingthem. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

MARCH 30, 1808. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I now transmit to the Senate the information requested in theirresolutions of the 28th instant, [37] from the Secretaries of theTreasury and War. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 37: Relating to paying United States troops in the Territoryof Michigan in bills issued by the Bank of Detroit after Congress hadrejected the law of that Territory for establishing said bank, etc. ]

MARCH 31, 1808. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

The confidential papers[38] desired by the resolution of yesterday arenow again sent to the Senate. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 38: Concerning the relations of the United States with Englandand France. ]

APRIL 1, 1808. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

In answer to the inquiries of the resolution of the House ofRepresentatives of the 30th of March, relative to certain dates, [39]I transmit a report of the Secretary of State to me on that subject. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 39: Of certain letters from the French ministry to the UnitedStates minister at Paris, and the date of the receipt of said letters bysaid minister. ]

NOVEMBER 30, 1808. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

According to the request of the House of Representatives expressedin their resolution of the 25th instant, I now lay before them a copy ofmy proclamation of the 19th of April last. [40]

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[Footnote 40: See Vol. I, pp. 450-451. ]

DECEMBER 1, 1808. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Surveyor of the PublicBuildings of the progress made on them during the last season, of theirpresent state, and the expenditures incurred and of those that may berequisite for their further prosecution. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

DECEMBER 23, 1808. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

According to the request of the House of Representatives in theirresolution of November 11 that copies should be laid before them of allacts, decrees, orders, and proclamations affecting the commercial rightsof neutral nations issued or enacted by Great Britain and France or anyother belligerent power since the year 1791, and also of an act placingthe commerce of America in English ports upon the footing of the mostfavored nation, I now transmit them a report of the Secretary of Stateof such of them as have been attainable in the Department of State andare supposed to have entered into the views of the House ofRepresentatives. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

JANUARY 5, 1809. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of theDirector of the Mint of the operations of that establishment during thelast year. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

DECEMBER 4, 1809. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I now transmit a report of the Secretary of the Navy, containingstatements[41] from that Department referred to in my message of the29th ultimo. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 41: Showing the condition of the Navy and the application ofappropriations made for the Navy and Marine Corps. ]

DECEMBER 16, 1809. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to both Houses of Congress a report from the Surveyor of thePublic Buildings of the progress made on them during the last season andof other explanations relative thereto. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 5, 1810. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

The Director of the Mint having made to me his report of the operationsof the Mint for the year 1809, I lay the same before you for yourinformation. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 12, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate to the House of Representatives the report[42] of theSecretary of State on the subject of their resolution of the 3d instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 42: Transmitting translations of a ukase of Russia relating toneutral commerce and regulations of Denmark for vessels commissioned asprivateers. ]

JANUARY 12, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate to the House of Representatives the report[43] of theSecretary of State on the subject of their resolution of the 6th ofDecember last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 43: Relating to seizures, captures, and condemnations of shipsand merchandise of citizens of the United States under authority ofDenmark, Great Britain, and France. ]

JANUARY 22, 1810. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I now transmit to Congress an account of the contingent expenses of theGovernment for the year 1809. 

JAMES MADISON. 

FEBRUARY 1, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before the House a report[44] of the Secretary of the Treasury, conformably to their resolution of 18th January, 1810. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 44: Transmitting copies of instructions issued relative toforeign armed ships within the waters of the United States. ]

FEBRUARY 1, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before the House a report[45] of the Secretary of War, conformablyto their resolution of January 22. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 45: Relating to the military force and its disposition in1810. ]

FEBRUARY 9, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House a report[46] of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 22d of January. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 46: Relating to the free navigation of the Mobile River to itsconfluence with the ocean. ]

FEBRUARY 17, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit reports[47] of the Secretaries of State and of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the 5th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 47: Transmitting communications relative to certain orders anddecrees of France and Great Britain violating the lawful commerce andneutral rights of the United States, etc. ]

FEBRUARY 17, 1810. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit a report[48] of the Secretary of the Treasury, complying withtheir resolution of the 12th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 48: Transmitting statement showing value and amount of dutieswhich accrued in consequence of the duty of 2-1/2 per cent laid on allgoods, wares, and merchandise imported into the United States paying aduty _ad valorem_ from July 1, 1804, to December 31, 1808, andstatement showing amount of duties which accrued on merchandise importedinto the United States from Mediterranean ports for years endingSeptember 30, 1805, 1806, 1807, and 1808. ]

FEBRUARY 22, 1810. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[49] of the Secretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the 16th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 49: Transmitting copy of instructions to collectors under theact to interdict commercial intercourse with Great Britain and France. ]

MARCH 14, 1810. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit a report[50] of the Secretary of War, complying with theirresolution of the 22d January last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 50: Relating to the treaty with the Great and Little OsageIndians. ]

MARCH 20, 1810. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a return of the militia of the United States asreceived by the Department of War from the several States andTerritories. 

JAMES MADISON. 

MARCH 30, 1810. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[51] of the Secretary of State, complyingwith their resolution of the 22d instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 51: Relating to the capture of Danish vessels by United Stateswar ships. ]

APRIL 4, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House a report[52] of the Secretary of State, complyingwith their resolution of the 26th of March. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 52: Relating to the impressment of American seamen by Britishships of war. ]

APRIL 27, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House a report[53] of the Secretary of State, complyingwith their resolution of the 23d instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 53: Transmitting list of United States consuls and commercialagents, etc. ]

MAY 1, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House a report[54] of the Secretary of State, complyingwith their resolution of the 30th of April. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 54: Relating to affairs between the United States and France. ]

DECEMBER 28, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before the House a report[55] from the Secretary of State, complyingwith their resolution of the 21st instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 55: Transmitting a decree of the Emperor of France of July 15, 1810, and correspondence relative to affairs between the United Statesand France. ]

DECEMBER 31, 1810. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before the House of Representatives a supplemental report[56] of theSecretary of State, containing information received since the date of mylate message on the subject of their resolution of the 21st instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 56: Relating to affairs between the United States and France. ]

JANUARY 7, 1811. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of theDirector of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during thelast year. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 12, 1811. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_. 

I transmit to Congress copies of a letter from the ministerplenipotentiary of the United States at London to the Secretary ofState, and of another from the same to the British secretary for foreignaffairs. [57]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 57: Relating to affairs between the United States and GreatBritain. ]

JANUARY 14, 1811. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives reports of the superintendentof the city[58] and of the Surveyor of the Public Buildings on thesubject of their resolution of the 28th of December last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 58: Washington. ]

JANUARY 14, 1811. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives copies of the documents[59]referred to in their resolution of the 4th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 59: Proclamation of November 2, 1810 (see Vol. I, pp. 481-482), and circular letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to thecollectors of the customs in pursuance of said proclamation. ]

JANUARY 14, 1811. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress an account of the contingent expenses of theGovernment for the year 1810. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 14, 1811. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Surveyor of the PublicBuildings relative to the progress and present state of them. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 25, 1811. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[60] from the Secretary of the Treasuryon the subject of their resolution of the 21st instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 60: Stating that there are no documents in his Departmentshowing the amount of property of citizens or subjects of Great Britainor France confiscated under the acts of March 1, 1809, and May 1, 1810;that inquiry of the several district attorneys for such information hasbeen made, and that the result will be communicated as soon as received;that an account of the goods, wares, and merchandise imported into theUnited States during the last three quarters of 1809 will be immediatelyprepared, but that such account for the year 1810 can not be preparedduring the present session. ]

JANUARY 25, 1811. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report of the superintendentof the city, [61] stating the expenditures under the act of April 28, 1810, for the better accommodation of the General Post-Office and Patent Office, and for other purposes. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 61: Washington. ]

JANUARY 31, 1811. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[62] of the Secretaryof War, complying with their resolution of the 21st instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 62: Transmitting a general return of the Army. ]

FEBRUARY 4, 1811. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[63] of the Secretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of December 20, 1810. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 63: Transmitting correspondence relative to the execution ofthe act to provide for surveying the coasts of the United States. ]

FEBRUARY 5, 1811. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[64] of the Secretary of State, complyingwith their resolution of the 1st instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 64: Transmitting copies of the latest census of the Territoryof Orleans and of the latest militia returns of said Territory. ]

FEBRUARY 7, 1811. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[65] of the Secretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the 21st January last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 65: Transmitting a statement of importations in American andforeign vessels from April 1 to December 31, 1809. ]

FEBRUARY 11, 1811. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[66] of the Secretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the 7th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 66: Transmitting account of George W. Erving relative toawards under the seventh article of the treaty with Great Britain ofNovember 19, 1794. ]

FEBRUARY 19, 1811. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a return of the militia of the United States asreceived by the Department of War from the several States andTerritories. 

JAMES MADISON. 

FEBRUARY 19, 1811. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[67] of the Secretaryof State, complying with their resolution of the 18th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 67: Relating to affairs between the United States and GreatBritain. ]

FEBRUARY 25, 1811. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives reports from thesuperintendent of the city[68] and the Surveyor of the Public Buildings, complying with their resolution of the 14th of January. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 68: Washington. ]

FEBRUARY 28, 1811. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit and recommend to the attention of Congress a report of theSecretary of State relative to deficiencies in the returns of the census. 

JAMES MADISON. 

NOVEMBER 7, 1811. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I now lay before Congress two letters[69] to the Department ofState--one from the present plenipotentiary of France, the otherfrom his predecessor--which were not included among the documentsaccompanying my message of the 5th instant, [70] the translation of thembeing not then completed. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 69: Relating to affairs between the United States and France. ]

[Footnote 70: See Third Annual Message, Vol. I, pp. 491-493. ]

NOVEMBER 13, 1811. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress the result of the census lately taken of theinhabitants of the United States, with a letter from the Secretary ofState relative thereto. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 7, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress, for their information, a report of the Directorof the Mint. 

JAMES MADISON. 

WASHINGTON, _January 15, 1812_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[71] of the Secretaryof State, complying with their resolution of the 29th of November. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 71: Relating to the impressment of American seamen by foreignpowers. ]

JANUARY 16, 1812. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[72] of the Secretary of State, complyingwith their resolution of the 18th of November. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 72: Relating to the commercial regulations of France applyingto the trade of the United States. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 22, 1812_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a letter from the envoy extraordinary and ministerplenipotentiary of Great Britain to the Secretary of State, with theanswer of the latter. [73]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 73: Relating to the agency of the British Government in thehostile measures of the Indian tribes toward the United States. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 22, 1812_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

At the request of the legislature of New Jersey, I communicate toCongress copies of its resolutions[74] transmitted by the governor ofthat State. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 74: Expressing confidence in the wisdom and integrity of thePresident and Congress and pledging the support of New Jersey should theUnited States determine to resist by force the lawless aggressions byGreat Britain. ]

FEBRUARY 1, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, containing a statement of proceedings under the "act to regulate thelaying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio. "

JAMES MADISON. 

FEBRUARY 19, 1812. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before the House of Representatives a report[75] of the Secretaryof War, in pursuance of their resolution of the 17th of December, 1811. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 75: Transmitting rules and regulations for training anddisciplining the regular troops and militia of the United States. ]

MARCH 12, 1812. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[76] of the Secretary of State, complyingwith their resolution of the 10th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 76: Stating that his Department is not in possession of anynames of persons in the United States who entered into or countenancedthe project for the fomentation of sectional divisions in the UnitedStates and the dissolution of the Union for the execution of whichJohn Henry was in the year 1809 employed by Sir James Craig, thenGovernor-General of the British Provinces in North America. ]

MARCH 13, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a letter[77] from the envoy extraordinary andminister plenipotentiary of Great Britain to the Secretary of State. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 77: Disclaiming any knowledge of the employment of a secretagent by Great Britain to foment disaffection to the constitutedauthorities of the United States, etc. (See message of March 9, 1812, Vol. I, p. 498. )]

APRIL 6, 1812. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report of thesuperintendent of the city, [78] in compliance with their resolution ofthe 24th of March, to which I add a letter from B. H. Latrobe, connectedwith that subject. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 78: Washington. ]

APRIL 23, 1812. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[79] of the Secretary of State, complyingwith their resolution of the 4th of March last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 79: Relating to captures by belligerent European Governmentsof American vessels bound to or from the Baltic or within that sea. ]

JULY 4, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit, for the information of Congress, copies of a correspondenceof the minister plenipotentiary of Great Britain with the Secretary ofState. [80]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 80: Relating to the revocation of the Berlin and Milan decreesby France, to the British orders in council, etc. ]

JUNE 8, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress copies of letters[81] which have passed betweenthe Secretary of State and the envoy extraordinary and ministerplenipotentiary of Great Britain. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 81: Relating to impressment of American seamen in Britishships of war, detention of British seamen in American ships of war, British orders in council, aid given by American citizens to desertersfrom British ships, etc. ]

JUNE 11, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit, for the information of Congress, copies of letters[82] whichhave passed between the Secretary of State and the envoy extraordinaryand minister plenipotentiary of Great Britain. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 82: Relating to the alleged agency of British authorities inCanada in atrocities committed on the frontiers of the United States byIndians. ]

JUNE 15, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit, for the information of Congress, copies of letters[83] whichhave passed between the Secretary of State and the envoy extraordinaryand minister plenipotentiary of Great Britain. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 83: Relating to the revocation of the Berlin and Milan decreesby France, to the British orders in council, etc. ]

JUNE 16, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit, for the information of Congress, copies of a letter to theSecretary of State from the chargé d'affaires of the United States atLondon, accompanied by a letter from the latter to the British ministerof foreign affairs. [84]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 84: Relating to the British declaration and order in councilof April 21, 1812, to the hostile attitude of Great Britain towardAmerican commerce, etc. ]

JUNE 22, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate to Congress copies of a letter to the Secretary of Statefrom the chargé d'affaires of the United States at London and of anote[85] to him from the British secretary for foreign affairs. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 85: Inclosing copy of a declaration accompanying the Britishorder in council of April 21, 1812. ]

JUNE 23, 1812. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[86] of the Secretary of War, complyingwith their resolution of the 19th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 86: Transmitting extracts from letters of governors ofTerritories and other agents respecting the hostile and friendlymovements and intentions of the Indians toward the United States. ]

JULY 6, 1812. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[87] of the Secretaryof State of this date, complying with their resolution of the 30th ofJanuary last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 87: Transmitting lists of captures, seizures, andcondemnations of the ships and merchandise of citizens of the UnitedStates under authority of Governments of Europe. ]

NOVEMBER 6, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress copies of the correspondence between theDepartment of War and the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticutreferred to in my message of the 4th instant. [88]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 88: Relating to the refusal of the governors of Massachusettsand Connecticut to furnish their quotas of militia. ]

NOVEMBER 18, 1812. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress copies of a communication from Mr. Russell to theSecretary of State. It is connected with the correspondence accompanyingmy message of the 12th instant, [89] but had not at that date beenreceived. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 89: See Vol. I, p. 521. ]

DECEMBER 21, 1812. 

_To the House, of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[90] of the Secretaryof State, complying with their resolution of the 9th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 90: Relating to the conduct of British officers toward personstaken in American armed ships. ]

DECEMBER 22, 1812. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[91] of the Secretaryof the Navy, complying with their resolution of the 16th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 91: Relating to the presentation to Commodore Edward Prebleof a gold medal emblematical of the attacks on the town, batteries, andnaval force of Tripoli by the squadron under his command, pursuant toa resolution of Congress of March 3, 1805. ]

JANUARY 4, 1813. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress, for their information, a report of the Directorof the Mint. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 11, 1813. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress an account of the contingent expenses of theGovernment for the year 1812. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 11, 1813. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[92] of the Secretary of War, complyingwith their resolution of the 24th December last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 92: Transmitting correspondence relative to murders committedby Indians in Tennessee and vicinity. ]

JANUARY 13, 1813. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

At the request of the general assembly of Maryland, communicated by thegovernor of that State, I lay before Congress copies of their act passedon the 2d instant. [93]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 93: Relating to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company. ]

JANUARY 13, 1813. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate copies of the correspondence[94] called for bytheir resolution of the 7th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 94: Relating to capture of the British brigs _Detroit_and _Caledonia_ on Lake Erie October 8, 1812. ]

JANUARY 14, 1813. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[95] of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 22d December. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 95: Relating to East Florida. ]

JANUARY 23, 1813. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[96] of the Secretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the 20th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 96: Transmitting statements of purchases of Treasury notes bybanks. ]

JANUARY 26, 1813. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[97] of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 18th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 97: Transmitting correspondence, etc. , relative to therevocation by France of the Berlin and Milan decrees in so far as theyaffected American vessels. ]

JANUARY 27, 1813. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[98] of the Secretary of War, complyingwith their resolution of the 7th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 98: Relating to enlistments under the "act authorizing thePresident of the United States to accept and organize certain volunteermilitary corps, " etc. ]

JANUARY 30, 1813. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

At the request of the legislature of Pennsylvania, conveyed through thegovernor of that State, I transmit to Congress copies of its resolutionsof the 16th December, 1812. [99]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 99: Approving of the declaration of war against Great Britain, etc. ]

FEBRUARY 13, 1813. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a statement of the militia of the United Statesaccording to the latest returns received by the Department of War. 

JAMES MADISON. 

FEBRUARY 18, 1813. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[100] of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 18th of January, 1813. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 100: Transmitting correspondence relative to affairs betweenthe United States and Spain, etc. ]

MARCH 1, 1813. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, containing a statement of proceedings under the "act to regulate thelaying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio. "

JAMES MADISON. 

MARCH 3, 1813. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[101] of theSecretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 1st instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 101: Transmitting correspondence relative to and text ofdecree of repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees. ]

WASHINGTON, _May 29, 1813_. 

_ To the Senate of the United States_:

Commissions having been granted during the recess of the Senate to thefollowing persons, I now nominate them to the same offices respectivelyannexed to their names: Albert Gallatin, John Quincy Adams, and James A. Bayard to be jointly and severally envoys extraordinary and ministersplenipotentiary to negotiate and sign a treaty of peace with GreatBritain under the mediation of the Emperor of Russia, to negotiate andsign a treaty of commerce with Great Britain; and the said John QuincyAdams, Albert Gallatin, and James A. Bayard to be jointly and severallyenvoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary to negotiate and signa treaty of commerce with Russia. 

 * * * * *

JAMES MADISON. 

WASHINGTON, _June 3, 1813_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with their resolution of the 3d instant, the Senateare informed that the office of the Secretary of the Treasury is notvacated, and that in the absence of Albert Gallatin, commissioned asone of the envoys to treat with Great Britain and Russia, the dutiesof that office are discharged by William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, authorized therefor according to the provisions of the act of Congressentitled "An act making alterations in the Treasury and WarDepartments, " passed May 8, 1792. 

JAMES MADISON. 

WASHINGTON, _June 5, 1813_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress copies of certain legislative acts ofPennsylvania, [102] transmitted for that purpose by the governor of thatState. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 102: "A supplement to an act to incorporate a company for thepurpose of cutting and making a canal between the river Delaware and theChesapeake Bay" and extracts from the act mentioned. ]

JUNE 7, 1813. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[103] of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 3d instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 103: Transmitting correspondence relative to an interchange ofministers with the Swedish Government. ]

WASHINGTON, _July 12, 1813_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[104] of the Secretaryof State, containing the information requested by their resolution of the21st of June last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 104: Relating to the British declaration and order in councilof April 21, 1812. ]

WASHINGTON, _July 12, 1813_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[105] of theSecretary of State, containing the information requested by theirresolutions of the 21st of June last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 105: Relating to the French decree of April 28, 1811, purporting to be a definitive repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees, etc. ]

WASHINGTON, _July 28, 1813_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[106] of the Acting Secretary of theTreasury, containing the information requested by their resolution ofthe 27th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 106: Relating to the loan of $16, 000, 000 authorized by act ofFebruary 8, 1813. ]

DECEMBER 20, 1813. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[107] of the Acting Secretary of theTreasury, complying with the resolution of the 13th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 107: Transmitting statement of amount of duties accruing ongoods, wares, and merchandise imported into the United States from July1 to December 31, 1812, etc. ]

JANUARY 6, 1814. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of theDirector of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during thelast year. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 10, 1814. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[108] of the Acting Secretary of theTreasury, complying with their resolution of the 31st December, 1813. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 108: Transmitting a statement of the quantity and estimatedvalue of spirits distilled from materials other than grain imported intothe United States from the West Indies and American colonies fromOctober 1, 1804, to September 30, 1812. ]

JANUARY 14, 1814. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress an account of the contingent expenses of theGovernment for the year 1813. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 15, 1814. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[109] of the Acting Secretary of theTreasury, complying with their resolution of the 11th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 109: Transmitting a digest of the number, nature, extent, situation, and value of the arts and manufactures of the United States. ]

JANUARY 18, 1814. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a report of the Acting Secretary of the Treasury, containing a statement of proceedings under the "act to regulate thelaying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio. "

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 18, 1814. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[110] of theSecretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 13th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 110: Relating to the mediation of Russia in the war betweenthe United States and Great Britain. ]

JANUARY 18, 1814. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[111] of theSecretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 11th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 111: Relating to the reception by the French Government of theUnited States minister to that court. ]

JANUARY 19, 1814. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[112] of the Secretaryof State, complying with their resolution of the 12th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 112: Stating that no communication from the French ministerprescribing the conditions on which his sovereign would treat of amityand commerce with the United States is on file in the Department ofState. ]

JANUARY 31, 1814. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[113] of theSecretary of War, complying with their resolution of the 31st ofDecember last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 113: Relating to the cause of the failure of the army on thenorthern frontier. ]

FEBRUARY 3, 1814. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate of the United States reports[114] of theSecretary of War and Secretary of the Navy, complying with theirresolution of the 3d ultimo. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 114: Transmitting statements of foreign and domestic articlesconsumed in clothing the Army and Navy of the United States in 1813, andestimates for 1814. ]

FEBRUARY 10, 1814. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[115] of the ActingSecretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the 30thJuly, 1813. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 115: Transmitting accounts of United States ministers, consuls, etc. , from commencement of present Government expenses incurredin and payments made under treaty with Algiers, and accounts of allother expenditures in relation to the Barbary Powers, including thoseoccasioned by war with Tripoli and making of peace with that Regency. ]

FEBRUARY 14, 1814. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

At the request of the legislature of Pennsylvania, conveyed through thegovernor of that State, I transmit to Congress copies of its resolutionsof the 18th ultimo. [116]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 116: Commending the "decisive spirit and firmness which thenational authorities have manifested in securing hostages for the safetyof those defenders of the Republic who are threatened with the penaltiesof treason against Great Britain, " and pledging under all circumstancesto support the Government in every measure of just retaliation. ]

MARCH 22, 1814. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

At the request of the legislature of Pennsylvania, conveyed through thegovernor of that State, I transmit to Congress copies of its resolutionsof the 10th instant. [117]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 117: Expressing disapprobation of the action of the governorof a sister State in issuing a proclamation ordering a detachment ofmilitia of that State then in the United States service to desert andreturn to their respective homes, and also expressing disapprobation ofthe threatened resistance of another State to any action of Congressdirecting an inquiry by the President into the constitutionality of theact of said governor, and pledging to support the General Governmentin all lawful and constitutional measures to bring to justice allinfractors of the Constitution and laws of the United States and allabettors and aiders of the enemies thereof. ]

MARCH 28, 1814. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[118] of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 26th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 118: Transmitting copies of certain commissions granted byPresidents Washington and Madison during the recess of the Senate. ]

APRIL 9, 1814. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[119] of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 2d instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 119: Transmitting lists of ministers, their secretaries, andconsuls appointed by the several Presidents during the recess of theSenate. ]

APRIL 16, 1814. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[120] of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolutions of the 2d of February and 9th of March. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 120: Transmitting list of American prisoners sent to Englandfor trial by the British commander in Canada; statement of the groundson which the British Government refused to deliver up American seamenimpressed into the British service, and statement of the conduct of theBritish Government toward American seamen on board British ships ofwar. ]

APRIL 16, 1814. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[121] of theSecretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 13th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 121: Transmitting extract of a letter from the United Statesminister at Paris touching relations with France. ]

OCTOBER 3, 1814. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[122] from the Department of State, complying with their resolution of the 26th ultimo. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 122: Stating that the relations of the United States with thecontinental powers of Europe continue to be those of peace and amity;that measures have been taken to continue diplomatic relations withFrance under the existing Government and to renew those with Spain andthe United provinces of the Low Countries. ]

WASHINGTON, _October 13, 1814_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I now transmit to Congress copies of the instructions to theplenipotentiaries of the United States charged with negotiating a peacewith Great Britain, as referred to in my message of the 10thinstant. [123]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 123: See Vol. I, p. 551. ]

OCTOBER 28, 1814. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[124] from theDepartment of State, complying with their resolution of the 15thinstant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 124: Relating to retaliation upon prisoners of war. ]

NOVEMBER 18, 1814. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I lay before the Senate, for their consideration whether they willadvise and consent to the ratification thereof, a treaty concluded onthe 22d day of July last with the tribes of Indians called the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese, Senecas, and Miamies. 

I lay before the Senate also, for the like purpose, an instrumententitled "Articles of agreement and capitulation made and concluded onthe 9th day of August last between Major-General Jackson and the chiefs, deputies, and warriors of the Creek Nation of Indians. "

These communications are accompanied by documents having relation tothem. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 2, 1815. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, containing a statement of proceedings under the "act to regulate thelaying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio. "

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 10, 1815. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of theDirector of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during thelast year. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 10, 1815. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress an account of the contingent expenses of theGovernment for the year 1814. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 14, 1815. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report of the Secretary of War, complyingwith their resolution of the 19th December. [125]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 125: Relating to measures authorized by the President inpursuance of the "act to enable the President of the United States, under certain contingencies, to take possession of the country lyingeast of the river Perdido and south of the State of Georgia and theMississippi Territory, and for other purposes, " for the purpose ofpossessing and occupying any part of the country mentioned in said act. ]

FEBRUARY 16, 1815. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[126] of the Acting Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of yesterday. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 126: Transmitting correspondence and protocols of conferencesbetween United States envoys at Ghent and ministers of Great Britain. ]

FEBRUARY 23, 1815. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[127] from the ActingSecretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 15th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 127: Relating to affairs between the United States and theBarbary Powers. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 28, 1815_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[128] from the Postmaster-General, complying with their resolution of the 15th of December last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 128: Transmitting statement of number of post-offices andmiles of post-roads in each State, net amount of postages for six monthsending June 30, 1814, etc. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 28, 1815_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[129] from the Acting Secretary ofState, complying with their resolution of the 24th of October last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 129: Relating to the sale of negroes taken from the UnitedStates by British forces. ]

JANUARY 8, 1816. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of theDirector of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during thelast year. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 26, 1816. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with the resolution of the 24th instant, I transmit twoletters from the envoy extraordinary and minister-plenipotentiary ofSpain to the Secretary of State, with his answer. [130]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 130: Relating to demand of Spain for possession of WestFlorida; to unlawful expeditions against Spanish possessions; to theexclusion from ports of the United States of the flags of revoltingprovinces of Spain; to the attitude of the United States toward theMexican revolution; to vessels of the United States condemned in portsof Spain; to the free navigation of the Mississippi; to the boundariesof Louisiana, etc. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 31, 1816_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit a report[131] of the Secretary of State, complying with theresolution of the 4th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 131: Relating to the massacre of American prisoners atDartmoor prison, England. ]

FEBRUARY 13, 1816. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report from the Secretary of War, complyingwith their resolution of the 5th instant. [132]

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 132: Relating to the reduction of the late Army to a peaceestablishment. ]

MARCH 11, 1816. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[133] of theSecretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the17th of February. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 133: Transmitting statements of receipts and expenditures ofthe city of Washington from 1791 to 1815, inclusive, and of moneysadvanced by the United States to said city. ]

MARCH 12, 1816. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, containing a statement of proceedings under the act to regulate thelaying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio, with a statement of past appropriations and anestimate of required appropriations. 

JAMES MADISON. 

MARCH 22, 1816. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[134] from theSecretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the 29thof February last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 134: Relating to the employment of counsel to assist theAttorney-General in prosecuting cases in the Supreme Court, names ofpersons so employed, fees paid, etc. ]

MARCH 26, 1816. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I lay before the Senate, for their advice as to a ratification, articlesof a treaty and of a convention which have been concluded with theCherokee Nation, with documents relating to the losses by the Indians, for which indemnity is stipulated. 

JAMES MADISON. 

APRIL 4, 1816. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[135] from the Secretary of theTreasury, complying with their resolutions of the 26th March last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 135: Relating to the survey of the coasts of the UnitedStates. ]

APRIL 18, 1816. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[136] from theSecretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 17thFebruary last. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 136: Relating to obstructions to American commerce in theprovincial and colonial possessions of Great Britain. ]

APRIL 29, 1816. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[137] of theSecretary of State on the subject of their resolution of February28, 1816. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 137: Transmitting lists of impressed American seamentransferred from British ships of war to Dartmoor and other prisons inEngland and the West Indies and Nova Scotia, and those discharged inEngland since the treaty of peace. ]

JANUARY 6, 1817. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of theDirector of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during thelast year. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 17, 1817. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress an account of the contingent expenses of theGovernment for the year 1816. 

JAMES MADISON. 

JANUARY 23, 1817. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[138] of the Acting Secretary of War, in compliance with their resolution of the 8th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 138: Transmitting statement of claims of New Hampshire, RhodeIsland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina for militia servicesduring the late war. ]

FEBRUARY 7, 1817. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[139] of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 28th of last month. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 139: Relating to the deportation of slaves by Great Britain incontravention of the treaty of Ghent, etc. ]

FEBRUARY 22, 1817. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[140] of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 20th instant. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[Footnote 140: Transmitting correspondence between the Governments ofthe United States and Spain relative to settlement of boundaries, tocession of East Florida by Spain, to indemnification for injuries toAmerican commerce by Spanish vessels, etc. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 4, 1818_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

Pursuant to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 31st ofDecember last, requesting information of the number of States which hadratified the thirteenth article of the amendments to the Constitution ofthe United States, [141] I transmit to the House a detailed report fromthe Secretary of State, which contains all the information that has beenreceived upon that subject. 

No time will be lost in communicating to the House the answers of thegovernors of the States of South Carolina and Virginia to the inquiriesstated by the Secretary of State to have been recently addressed to themwhen they are received at that Department. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 141: "If any citizen of the United States shall accept, claim, receive, or retain any title of nobility or honor, or shall, withoutthe consent of Congress, accept and retain any present, pension, office, or emolument of any kind whatever from any emperor, king, prince, orforeign power, such person shall cease to be a citizen of the UnitedStates, and shall be incapable of holding any office of profit or trustunder them, or either of them. " This proposed amendment did not becomea part of the Constitution, failing of ratification by three-fourths ofthe States. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 6, 1818_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 13th of February, 1817, I now transmit copies of the reports in relation to the surveys andexaminations made by naval officers in cooperation with officers of theCorps of Engineers. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _February 12, 1818_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

Conformably with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 6thof this month, I now lay before that House a report received from theSecretary of State, with the copy of the correspondence[142] referred toand requested by that resolution. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 142: Relating to a blockade of the Spanish coast in SouthAmerica by Spanish forces. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 13, 1818_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the 28th of January last, I nowtransmit to the Senate a statement of the expenditures upon the publicbuildings and an account of their progress for the year 1818. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _February 18, 1818_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

Conformably with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the12th instant, I lay before that House a report which I have receivedfrom the Department of State, with a copy of the letter communicatedwith it. [143]

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 143: Relative to the claims of the heirs of Caron deBeaumarchais. ]

MARCH 5, 1818. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I lay before the Senate, for their consideration and the exerciseof their constitutional power of advice and consent respecting theratification thereof, a treaty concluded on the 22d of January last withthe Creek Nation of Indians. This treaty is accompanied by certaindocuments having relation to it. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _March 24, 1818_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

In pursuance of a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 7thinstant, I now transmit the report of the Secretary of State, with astatement of the expenses incurred under the fourth, fifth, sixth, andseventh articles of the treaty of Ghent, specifying the items ofexpenditure in relation to each. 

JAMES MONROE. 

NOVEMBER 26, 1818. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I lay before the Senate a report from the Commissioner of the PublicBuildings, made in compliance with a resolution of the 28th of Januarylast, requiring a statement of the expenditures upon the publicbuildings and an account of their progress to be annually exhibitedto Congress. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives. ]

NOVEMBER 30, 1818. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with the resolution of the 17th of April, I transmit tothe Senate a report[144] from the Acting Secretary of the Navy, which, with the documents accompanying it, will be found to contain all theinformation required. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 144: Relating to the navy pension fund. ]

DECEMBER 15, 1818. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before the House of Representatives copies of the remainder ofthe documents[145] referred to in the message of the 17th of last month. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[The same message was sent to the Senate. ]

[Footnote 145: Reports of Theodorick Bland and J. R. Poinsett, commissioners, on the condition of South America, correspondence betweenthe Secretary of State and the Spanish minister relative to affairsbetween the United States and Spain, etc. ]

DECEMBER 18, 1818. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 10th instant, Itransmit copies of the instructions to the commissioners who negotiatedthe Indian treaties now before it. 

JAMES MONROE. 

DECEMBER 28, 1818. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 17th instant, Itransmit to that House a report from the Secretary of State, with thepapers and documents accompanying it. [146]

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 146: Relating to affairs between the United States and Spain, the prosecution of Captain Obed Wright for the murder of friendlyIndians, etc. ]

DECEMBER 28, 1818. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the 15th instant, I lay before theHouse of Representatives a report from the Secretary of State, with thepapers and documents accompanying it. [147]

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 147: Relating to affairs between the United States and Spain. ]

JANUARY 4, 1819. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I lay before the Senate a report from the Secretary of State, accompanied with a copy of a letter from Governor Rabun, [148] which wasnot communicated on a former occasion from that Department. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 148: Relating to the case of Captain Obed Wright, charged withthe murder of friendly Indians. ]

DECEMBER 24, 1819. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Commissioner of the PublicBuildings, which, with the accompanying documents, will exhibit thepresent state of those buildings and the expenditures thereon duringthe year ending the 30th of September last. 

JAMES MONROE. 

JANUARY 18, 1820. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 5th instant, the inclosed papers are transmitted to them _in confidence_, andcontain all the information in possession of the Executive respectingthe progress of the negotiation with the British Government in relationto the intercourse between the United States and the British colonies. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _March 8, 1820_. 

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

I transmit to the House of Representatives, in pursuance of theirresolution of the 22d of last month, a report from the Secretary ofState, with the papers containing the information requested by thatresolution. [149]

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 149: Relating to the Florida treaty. ]

MARCH 10, 1820. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Director of the Mint of theoperations of that institution during the last year. 

JAMES MONROE. 

MARCH 17, 1820. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Secretary of the Treasury, accompanied with statements of the annual expenditures made in theconstruction of the road leading from Cumberland, in the State ofMaryland, to the State of Ohio from the year 1806 to the year 1820. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _March 23, 1820_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate, in pursuance of their resolution of the 1st ofFebruary, a report[150] from the Secretary of State, with the informationrequired by that rotation. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 150: Relating to the construction of the first article of thetreaty of Ghent, relative to slaves. ]

WASHINGTON, _March 28, 1820_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives, in pursuance of theirresolution of the 31st of January last, a report[151] from the Secretaryof the Treasury, with the documents which accompanied it. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 151: Relating to the marine-hospital fund. ]

MARCH 30, 1820. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a general abstract of the militia of the UnitedStates, in pursuance of the act of March 2, 1803. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _April 18, 1820_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I lay before the Senate, in pursuance of their resolution of the 21stof last month, the accompanying report and documents[152] from theDepartment of State. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 152: Relating to the seizure, sequestration, or confiscationof the ships or other property of citizens of the United States byauthority of Sweden. ]

WASHINGTON, _May 12, 1820_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate to Congress translations of letters from the minister ofSpain to the Secretary of State, received since my message of the 9thinstant. [153]

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 153: See Vol. II, pp. 70-72. ]

NOVEMBER 23, 1820. 

The PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE:

In conformity with a resolution of the Senate passed the 28th ofJanuary, 1818, I communicate herewith to the Senate the report ofthe Commissioner of Public Buildings required by that resolution. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[The same message was addressed to the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives. ]

JANUARY 26, 1821. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I lay before the Senate, for their consideration and advice as to aratification, a treaty concluded between the United States and the CreekNation of Indians. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _February 13, 1821_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit herewith to the Senate a copy of a memorial received fromRichard W. Meade, [154] together with a report of the Secretary of Stateconcerning it. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 154: Relating to his claim against Spain for imprisonment. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 14, 1821_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Director of the Mint, inclosinga statement of the Treasurer, submitting the operations of the Mint forthe last year. 

JAMES MONROE. 

DECEMBER 24, 1821. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a treaty recently concluded with the Indiantribes at Chicago, with the papers relating thereto, which is submittedfor consideration as to its ratification. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _January 7, 1822_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Director of the Mint, with astatement of the operations for the last year. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _January 15, 1822_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate requesting the President"to cause a statement of expenditures upon the public buildings and anaccount of their progress to be annually laid before Congress at thecommencement of each session, " I herewith transmit the annual reportof the Commissioner of the Public Buildings. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 28, 1822_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State, containing the information required by the resolution of the Senate ofthe 3d instant, with the documents[155] which accompanied that report. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 155: Relating to relief of sick, disabled, and destituteAmerican seamen in foreign ports in 1818, 1819, and 1820. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 28, 1822_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit a report from the Secretary of War, together with thedocuments which accompany it, containing the information requested bya resolution of the House of Representatives of the 22d instant. [156]

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 156: Relating to Indian affairs. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 6, 1822_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretaryof State on the subject required by the resolution of that House of the22d ultimo, [157] with the documents which accompanied that report. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 157: Relating to that part of the boundary line between theUnited States and the British Provinces which extends "from the sourceof the river St. Croix to the northwesternmost head of ConnecticutRiver. "]

WASHINGTON, _February 7, 1822_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the 17th ultimo, I transmit a reportfrom the Secretary of War, which, with the accompanying documents, [158]contains the information requested. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 158: Statements of ordnance and ordnance stores infortifications, arsenals, etc. , and estimates of amounts required, contracted for, etc. ]

FEBRUARY 8, 1822. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State, containing the information required by the resolution of the Senate ofthe 1st instant, with the documents which accompanied that report. [159]

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 159: Relating to the appointment of William B. Irish asmarshal of the western district of Pennsylvania. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 12, 1822_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State, containingthe information[160] required by the resolution of the Senate of the 4thinstant. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 160: Relating to the lease of a building on Capitol Hill forthe temporary use and accommodation of Congress. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 15, 1822_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives"requesting the President of the United States to cause to be laidbefore this House any information which he may have of the conditionof the several Indian tribes within the United States and the progressof the measures hitherto devised and pursued for their civilization, "I now transmit a report from the Secretary of War. 

JAMES MONROE. 

FEBRUARY 21, 1822. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 7th instant, requesting the President of the United States to cause to becommunicated to the Senate the instructions to the commissioners whonegotiated the treaty concluded at Chicago with the Ottowa, Chippeway, and Potawatamie nations of Indians, I herewith transmit a report fromthe Secretary of War. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _February 21, 1822_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretaryof State, with the documents[161] accompanying it, in pursuance of aresolution of the House of the 17th January last. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 161: Correspondence leading up to and protocol of treaty ofGhent, etc. ]

WASHINGTON, _March 4, 1822_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit a report from the Secretary of the Navy, communicatinginformation in relation to the Navy of the United States[162] requestedby a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 14th ultimo. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 162: List of the navy yards and stations, number and grade ofofficers attached to each, etc. ]

WASHINGTON, _March 15, 1822_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 29th of January, I herewith transmit reports[163] from the Treasury and War Departments, containing all the information in the possession of the Executiveembraced by that resolution. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 163: Relating to lands granted to officers and soldiers ofVirginia who served in the Revolutionary War. ]

WASHINGTON, _April 1, 1822_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with two resolutions of the 11th ultimo, requesting thatthe President of the United States cause to be furnished to that Housecertain detailed information from the Navy Department, I herewithtransmit a report from the Secretary of the Navy, with otherdocuments. [164]

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 164: Statements showing names and number of officers belongingto the Navy attached to each navy-yard in the United States, and theircompensation for two years ending January 1, 1822. ]

APRIL 19, 1822. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit a letter from the Attorney-General on the subject of theresolution of the Senate of the 12th instant, which I have received thisday, and which in consequence of his absence was not communicated withthe message of the 15th instant. [165]

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 165: See Vol. II, p. 136. ]

DECEMBER 15, 1822. 

_To the Congress of the United States_:

I now transmit to both Houses of Congress the report of the Commissionerof Public Buildings made in obedience to a resolution of the Senatepassed the 28th day of January, 1818. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _January 20, 1823_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

In compliance with the resolution of the 20th of December, requestinginformation "what appropriations will be required to fortify ThompsonsIsland, usually called Key West, and whether a naval depot establishedat that island, protected by fortifications, will not afford facilitiesin defending the commerce of the United States and in clearing the Gulfof Mexico and the adjacent seas from pirates, " I transmit a report fromthe Secretary of the Navy, which communicates all the information whichI am at this time able to give. 

JAMES MONROE. 

FEBRUARY 6, 1823. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 28th of January, requesting the President to communicate the instructions to thecommissioners nominated to treat with the Indians for the extinguishmentof Indian titles in the State of Georgia, I transmit to the Senate areport from the Secretary of War, with the documents referred to in it. 

JAMES MONROE. 

_To the Senate of the United States_. 

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of 28th January, 1818, Iherewith transmit to Congress the report of the Commissioner of PublicBuildings, showing the expenditures on public buildings and otherobjects committed to his care during the present year. 

JAMES MONROE. 

DECEMBER 19, 1823. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith to the House of Representatives a report from theSecretary of State, together with a digest of recent commercialregulations of foreign countries, prepared in compliance with aresolution of the House of the 30th of January, 1823. 

JAMES MONROE. 

FEBRUARY 2, 1824. 

WASHINGTON, _February 2, 1824_. 

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretaryof State, agreeably to a resolution of that House of the 11th ofDecember last, with the papers[166] which accompanied that report. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 166: Relating to French spoliations. ]

FEBRUARY 24, 1824. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I herewith transmit a report from the Secretary of War, whichcommunicates all the information in possession of the Department whichwas called for by a resolution of the Senate of the 21st of January, 1824. [167]

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 167: Relating to sites for fortifications at St. Marys andPatuxent rivers, plans for same, and estimates of cost of eachfortification. ]

WASHINGTON, _March 19, 1824_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretaryof State, with the papers[168] therein referred to, in compliance with aresolution of the House of the 27th of January last. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 168: Relating to the suppression of the African slave trade. ]

WASHINGTON, _May 7, 1824_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I communicate to the Senate copies of additional documents relating tothe convention for the suppression of the African slave trade, whichhave this day been received at the Department of State. 

JAMES MONROE. 

MAY 24, 1824. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretaryof State, with an appendix to a report[169] from him alreadycommunicated to the House. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 169: Addition to digest of foreign commercial law. ]

WASHINGTON, _May 25, 1824_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report[170] from the Secretary of State, concerning two resolutions of the Senate of the 8th of January and 1stof March last, which had been referred to him. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 170: Relating to foreign spoliations on American commerce. ]

MAY 25, 1824. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[171] from theSecretary of State, concerning a resolution of that House of the 20th ofApril last, which was referred to him. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 171: Stating that the correspondence relative to Frenchspoliations and to the claims of France upon the United States fornoncompliance with the treaties of alliance and commerce of February 6, 1778, would be communicated at the next session of Congress. ]

WASHINGTON, _December 13, 1824_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate, for its advice and consent as to theratification, the treaties concluded and signed on the 4th day of Augustlast between the United States and the Ioway, the Sock, and Fox tribesof Indians. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _December 13, 1824_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

Agreeably to a resolution of the Senate of 28th January, 1818, requesting the President "to cause a statement of expenditures upon thepublic buildings and an account of their progress to be annually laidbefore Congress at the commencement of each session, " I herewithtransmit a report from the Commissioner of Public Buildings, whichcontains the information required. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 5, 1825_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 17th May last, I transmit a report[172] from the Secretary of the Navy, which containsthe information requested. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 172: Relating to the use of canvas, cables, and cordage madeof hemp grown in the United States in the equipment vessels of theAmerican Navy. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 17, 1825_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I herewith transmit to the House a report from the Secretary of State, containing the information required by the resolution of the House ofthe 16th ultimo, relating to the western boundary of the United States. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _January 17, 1825_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the28th ultimo, requesting the President to inform that House what termswere offered by applicants for the stock created by the act of the 24thof May last and by whom such terms were offered, I herewith transmit areport from the Secretary of the Treasury, with accompanying papers, which contains the information called for. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _January 18, 1825_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I herewith transmit to the House of Representatives a report ofthe Secretary of War, with a report made to that Department by thecommissioners who were appointed under the act of the 3d of March, 1823, entitled "An act to establish an armory on the western waters. "

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _January 18, 1825_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I herewith transmit to the House of Representatives a report ofthe Secretary of War, with a report made to that Department by thecommissioners who were appointed under the act of 3d March, 1823, entitled "An act to establish a national armory on the western waters. "

JAMES MONROE. 

JANUARY 19, 1825. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit herewith to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State, with the documents desired by their resolution of the 13th instant. [173]In requesting that the originals may eventually be returned it may beunnecessary to add that the negotiations being by common consent to behereafter resumed, it is important that this communication should beregarded by the Senate as strictly confidential. 

JAMES MONROE. 

[Footnote 173: Relating to commercial intercourse with the Britishcolonies of the West Indies and Canada; to the boundary under the fiftharticle of the treaty of Ghent, and the navigation of the St. LawrenceRiver; to admission of United States consuls into British colonialports; to the Newfoundland fishery; to maritime questions; to thenorthwest coast of America. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 2, 1825_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I herewith transmit a report from the Director of the Mint of the UnitedStates, showing the operations of that institution for the last year. 

JAMES MONROE. 

WASHINGTON, _March 1, 1826_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith a report from the Director of the Mint of the UnitedStates, showing the operations of that institution for the year 1825. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _March 15, 1826_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I now submit to the consideration of Congress the propriety of makingthe appropriation necessary for carrying into effect the appointment ofa mission to the congress at Panama. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _December 8, 1826_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 20th of January, 1818, I transmit a report of the Commissioner of the Public Buildings, containing the annual statement of expenditures on those buildings andthe account of their progress, required by the said resolution. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _December 11, 1826_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress sundry additional papers appertaining to thereport from the War Department relating to Indian affairs, communicatedat the commencement of the session. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _December 28, 1826_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretaryof State, containing the information requested by two resolutions of theHouse relating to certain negotiations[174] with the Government of theUnited Mexican States. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

[Footnote 174: Concerning the boundary line between the United Statesand Mexico and the return of slaves escaping from the former countryinto the latter. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 18, 1827_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the6th instant, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, together with copies of the correspondence with the Government of theNetherlands relating to discriminating duties. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _February 24, 1827_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith to Congress a report from the Director of the Mint, with a statement of its operations during the year 1826. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _December 24, 1827_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate, for their consideration and advice, aconvention of friendship, navigation, and commerce between the UnitedStates and the Free Hanseatic Republics of Lubeck, Bremen, and Hamburg, signed by the respective plenipotentiaries of the parties on the 20thinstant at this city. A copy of the convention is likewise inclosed. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _January 11, 1828_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress the annual report of the Commissioner of thePublic Buildings, made in conformity with a resolution of the Senate ofthe 28th January, 1818. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _January 11, 1828_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In answer to the inquiry contained in a resolution of the Senate of the9th instant, I readily express the opinion that the publication of themessage[175] and documents to which it alludes may be made withoutdetriment to the public service. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

[Footnote 175: Of December 24, 1827 (see Vol. II, p. 393), relative tothe negotiation of the convention of November 13, 1826, with GreatBritain. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 21, 1828_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

A report from the Director of the Mint, together with a statement of theoperations of that institution during the year 1827, are herewithtransmitted to Congress. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _December 8, 1828_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 26th of May last, I transmit a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, with statementsrelative to the estimates and appropriations for the expenses of theyear 1828 at the last session of Congress. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _January 14, 1829_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Director of the Mint, with theannual statement exhibiting the operations of that institution duringthe year 1828. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _February 25, 1829_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit herewith a statement of the expenses of the General LandOffice for the year 1827, as desired by a resolution of the Senate ofthe 23d instant. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

WASHINGTON, _February 8, 1830_. 

_To the Congress of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Director of the Mint, exhibiting the operations of that institution during the year 1829. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

JANUARY 12, 1831. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Director of the Mint, exhibiting the operations of that institution during the year 1830. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

JANUARY 25, 1831. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I beg leave to call the attention of Congress to the annual report ofthe inspectors of the penitentiary in the District of Columbia, herewithtransmitted. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

WASHINGTON, _January 16, 1832_. 

_To the Congress of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Director of the Mint, exhibiting the operations of that institution during the year 1831. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

WASHINGTON, _January 31, 1832_. 

_To the Congress of the United States_:

I herewith transmit, for the information of Congress, the third annualreport of the inspectors of the penitentiary in the District ofColumbia. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

WASHINGTON, _January 19, 1833_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith the fourth annual report of the board of inspectorsof the penitentiary in the District of Columbia, which is required bythe act of the 3d of March, 1829, to be laid before Congress. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

WASHINGTON, _January 19, 1833_. 

The Honorable the PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE UNITED STATES:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Director of the Mint, exhibiting the operations of that institution during the year 1832. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives. ]

WASHINGTON, D. C. , _January 15, 1834_. 

The Honorable the PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE. 

SIR: I transmit to Congress a report from the Director of the Mint, exhibiting the operations of that institution during the year 1833. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

[The same message was addressed to the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 28, 1934_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I herewith transmit the annual report of the inspectors of thepenitentiary in the District of Columbia, which, agreeably to the actfor the government and discipline of the same, is to be laid beforeCongress. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

WASHINGTON, _January 10, 1835_. 

The Honorable the PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE UNITED STATES. 

SIR: I herewith transmit to the Senate a report from the Director of theMint, showing the operations of that institution during the year 1834. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

[The same message was addressed to the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 12, 1835_. 

_To the Congress of the United States_:

I transmit, for the information of Congress, the sixth annual report ofthe inspectors of the penitentiary for the District of Columbia, made incompliance with the act of the 3d of March, 1829. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

WASHINGTON, _December 10, 1835_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate of the United States a report[176] of theSecretary of State, to whom was referred the resolutions of that bodypassed on the 2d and 13th days of February last, together with suchportion of the correspondence and instructions requested by the saidresolutions as has not been heretofore transmitted and as can becommunicated without prejudice to the public interest. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

[Footnote 176: Transmitting correspondence which passed between theGovernments of the United States and Spain in the negotiation of thetreaty of February 17, 1834, instructions given to the minister of theUnited States during the course of the negotiation, etc. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 28, 1836_. 

Hon. JAMES K. POLK, _Speaker of the House of Representatives_. 

SIR: I transmit herewith the seventh annual report of the board ofinspectors of the penitentiary in the District of Columbia, which, inpursuance of the act of the 3d of March, 1829, is submitted to Congress. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

JANUARY 16, 1838. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I herewith transmit a report from the Director of the Mint, showing theoperations of that institution during the year 1837 and also theprogress made toward the completion of the branch mints in NorthCarolina, Georgia, and Louisiana. 

M. VAN BUREN. 

WASHINGTON, _January 29, 1838_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with the act of Congress of the 3d March, 1829, I herewithtransmit to Congress the ninth annual report of the board of inspectorsof the penitentiary of Washington. 

M. VAN BUREN. 

WASHINGTON, _January 18, 1839_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report of the Director of the Mint, exhibiting the operations of that institution during the year 1838. 

M. VAN BUREN. 

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 6, 1839_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with the act of Congress of the 3d March, 1829, I herewithtransmit to Congress the tenth annual report of the board of inspectorsof the penitentiary of Washington. 

M. VAN BUREN. 

WASHINGTON, D. C. , _February 1, 1840_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a report from the Director of the Mint, showingthe operations of that institution for the year 1839. 

M. VAN BUREN. 

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 5, 1840_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with the act of Congress of the 3d of March, 1829, Iherewith transmit to Congress the eleventh annual report of the board ofinspectors of the penitentiary of the District of Columbia. 

M. VAN BUREN. 

FEBRUARY 10, 1840. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate a supplementary report received from theDirector of the Mint, containing a complete statement of the operationsof the branch mint at New Orleans for the year 1839. 

M. VAN BUREN. 

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 27, 1841_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with an act of Congress of the 3d of March, 1829, Iherewith transmit to Congress the twelfth annual report of the board ofinspectors of the penitentiary of the District of Columbia. 

M. VAN BUREN. 

WASHINGTON, _January 31, 1842_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit herewith to the Senate a report of the Director of the Mint, showing the operations of the institution for the year 1841. 

JOHN TYLER. 

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives. ]

WASHINGTON, _January 17, 1843_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith the report of the inspectors of the penitentiary forthe District of Columbia, made in pursuance of the act of Congress ofthe 3d March, 1829, with the accompanying documents. 

JOHN TYLER. 

WASHINGTON, _March 1, 1843_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit herewith to the Senate a copy of a report received from theDirector of the Mint, showing the operations of that institution for theyear 1842. 

JOHN TYLER. 

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives. ]

WASHINGTON, D. C. _January 19, 1844_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith the report of the inspectors of the penitentiary ofthe District of Columbia for the past year, with the accompanyingdocuments. 

JOHN TYLER. 

WASHINGTON, D. C. , _January 20, 1844_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith the annual report of the Director of the Mint atPhiladelphia, exhibiting the operations of the Mint and branch mints forthe past year. 

JOHN TYLER. 

WASHINGTON, _February 3, 1845_. 

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit herewith to the Senate a report from the Director of theMint, showing the operations of the institution for the year 1844. 

JOHN TYLER. 

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives. ]

WASHINGTON, _February 11, 1845_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I herewith transmit the annual report of the inspectors of thepenitentiary for this District, together with accompanying documents. 

JOHN TYLER. 

WASHINGTON, _January 28, 1846_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I herewith transmit the annual report of the inspectors of thepenitentiary for the District of Columbia, made in compliance with theact of the 3d March, 1829. 

JAMES K. POLK. 

WASHINGTON, D. C. , _February 10, 1846_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith the report of the Director of the Mint atPhiladelphia, showing the operation of the Mint and branch mints for theyear 1845. 

JAMES K. POLK. 

WASHINGTON, _January 16, 1847_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

In compliance with the resolutions of the 3d of March, 1829, I transmitherewith the annual report of the inspectors of the penitentiary for theDistrict of Columbia. 

JAMES K. POLK. 

WASHINGTON, _February 4, 1847_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Director ofthe Mint, showing the operations of that institution for the year 1846. 

JAMES K. POLK. 

WASHINGTON, _January 18, 1848_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I herewith transmit the annual report of the inspectors of thepenitentiary for the District of Columbia, made in compliance with theact of the 3d March, 1829. 

JAMES K. POLK. 

WASHINGTON, _January 31, 1848_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith the annual report of the Director of the Mint atPhiladelphia, showing the operation of the Mint and branch mints for theyear 1847. 

JAMES K. POLK. 

WASHINGTON, _January 11, 1849_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I herewith transmit the annual report of the inspectors of thepenitentiary for the District of Columbia, made in compliance with theact of the 3d March, 1829. 

JAMES K. POLK. 

WASHINGTON, _January 22, 1849_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith the annual report of the Director of the Mint atPhiladelphia, showing the operations of the Mint and branch mints forthe year 1848. 

JAMES K. POLK. 

WASHINGTON, _January 28, 1850_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith the annual report of the Director of the Mint atPhiladelphia, showing the operations of the Mint and its branches forthe year 1849. 

Z. TAYLOR. 

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, _February 5, 1850_. 

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I herewith transmit the annual report of the inspectors of thepenitentiary for the District of Columbia, made in compliance with theact of the 3d March, 1829. 

Z. TAYLOR. 

WASHINGTON, _January 30, 1851_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith the annual report of the Director of the Mint atPhiladelphia, showing the operation of the Mint and branch mints for theyear 1850. 

MILLARD FILLMORE. 

WASHINGTON, _February 15, 1851_. 

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

I have the honor herewith to transmit to the House of Representativesthe report of the inspectors of the penitentiary of the United Statesin this District for the year ending December 31, 1850. 

MILLARD FILLMORE. 

WASHINGTON, D. C. , _February 10, 1852_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith the annual report of the Director of the Mint atPhiladelphia, showing the operations of the Mint and its branches forthe year 1851. 

MILLARD FILLMORE. 

WASHINGTON, _April 2, 1852_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith the report of the inspector of the penitentiary ofthe United States in the District of Columbia for the year ending the31st of December last. 

MILLARD FILLMORE. 

WASHINGTON, _February 8, 1853_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I herewith communicate, for the information of Congress, a copy of thereport of the Director of the Mint for the past year. 

MILLARD FILLMORE. 

WASHINGTON CITY, _February 10, 1853_. 

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

I transmit to the House of Representatives herewith a communication fromthe Secretary of the Interior, accompanied by the annual report of theboard of inspectors of the penitentiary of the District of Columbia forthe year ending 31st December, 1852, as required by law. 

MILLARD FILLMORE. 

WASHINGTON, _February 1, 1854_. 

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

I transmit herewith the annual report of the Director of the Mint atPhiladelphia, showing the operation of the Mint and branch mints for theyear 1853. 

FRANKLIN PIERCE. 

WASHINGTON, _March 3, 1854_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith the annual report of the board of inspectors of thepenitentiary for the District of Columbia for the year ending December31, 1853. 

FRANKLIN PIERCE. 

WASHINGTON, _February 8, 1855_. 

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith the report of the Director of the Mint, showing theoperations of the Mint and its branches for the past year. 

FRANKLIN PIERCE. 

WASHINGTON, _March 27, 1856_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith a report of the operations of the Mint of the UnitedStates and its branches, including the assay office, for the year 1855. 

FRANKLIN PIERCE. 

WASHINGTON, _February 3, 1857_. 

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit herewith the report of the Director of the Mint, showing theoperations of the Mint and its branches for the last year. 

FRANKLIN PIERCE. 

PROCLAMATIONS. 

[From Laws of the United States of America (John Bioren and W. JohnDuane, Philadelphia, and R. C. Weightman, Washington City, 1815), Vol. V, p. 511. ]

BY GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 

A PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas by an act supplementary to the act entitled "An act establishinga mint and regulating the coins of the United States, " passed on the 3dday of March, 1795, "the President of the United States is authorized, whenever he shall think it for the benefit of the United States, toreduce the weight of the copper coin of the United States, provided suchreduction shall not in the whole exceed 2 pennyweights in each cent andin like proportion in a half cent; of which he shall give notice byproclamation;" and

Whereas, on account of the increased price of copper and expense ofcoinage, I have thought it would be for the benefit of the UnitedStates to reduce the weight of the copper coin of the United States1 pennyweight and 16 grains in each cent and in like proportion in eachhalf cent, and the same has since the 27th day of December last beenreduced accordingly:

I hereby give notice thereof and that all cents and half cents coinedand to be coined at the Mint of the United States from and after thesaid 27th day of December are to weigh, the cents each 7 pennyweightsand the half cents each 3 pennyweights and 12 grains. 

In testimony whereof I, the said George Washington, President of theUnited States, have caused the seal of the United States to be heretoaffixed and signed the same with my hand. 

[SEAL. ]

Done at the city of Philadelphia on the 26th day of January, A. D. 1796, and of the Independence of the United States the twentieth. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

By the President: TIMOTHY PICKERING, _Secretary of State_. 

[From Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, December 28, 1799. ]

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

A PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas the Congress of the United States, "in honor of the memory ofGeneral George Washington, " have this day "_Resolved_, That it berecommended to the people of the United States to wear crape on the leftarm as mourning for thirty days, " and "that the President of the UnitedStates be requested to issue a proclamation notifying to the peoplethroughout the United States the said recommendation:"

Now, therefore, I, John Adams, President of the United States, do herebyproclaim the same accordingly. 

[SEAL. ]

Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Philadelphia, the 24th day of December, A. D. 1799, and of the Independence of theUnited States the twenty-fourth. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

By the President: TIMOTHY PICKERING, _Secretary of State_. 

[From the Daily National Intelligencer, December 15, 1860. ]

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. 

A RECOMMENDATION. 

WASHINGTON, _December 14, 1860_. 

Numerous appeals have been made to me by pious and patrioticassociations and citizens, in view of the present distracted anddangerous condition of our country, to recommend that a day be set apartfor humiliation, fasting, and prayer throughout the Union. 

In compliance with their request and my own sense of duty, I designateFriday, the 4th day of January, 1861, for this purpose, and recommendthat the people assemble on that day, according to their several formsof worship, to keep it as a solemn fast. 

The Union of the States is at the present moment threatened withalarming and immediate danger; panic and distress of a fearful characterprevail throughout the land; our laboring population are withoutemployment, and consequently deprived of the means of earning theirbread. Indeed, hope seems to have deserted the minds of men. All classesare in a state of confusion and dismay, and the wisest counsels of ourbest and purest men are wholly disregarded. 

In this the hour of our calamity and peril to whom shall we resort forrelief but to the God of our fathers? His omnipotent arm only can saveus from the awful effects of our own crimes and follies--our owningratitude and guilt toward our Heavenly Father. 

Let us, then, with deep contrition and penitent sorrow unite in humblingourselves before the Most High, in confessing our individual andnational sins, and in acknowledging the justice of our punishment. Letus implore Him to remove from our hearts that false pride of opinionwhich would impel us to persevere in wrong for the sake of consistencyrather than yield a just submission to the unforeseen exigencies bywhich we are now surrounded. Let us with deep reverence beseech Him torestore the friendship and good will which prevailed in former daysamong the people of the several States, and, above all, to save us fromthe horrors of civil war and "blood guiltiness. " Let our fervent prayersascend to His throne that He would not desert us in this hour of extremeperil, but remember us as He did our fathers in the darkest days of theRevolution, and preserve our Constitution and our Union, the work oftheir hands, for ages yet to come. 

An omnipotent Providence may overrule existing evils for permanent good. He can make the wrath of man to praise Him, and the remainder of wrathHe can restrain. Let me invoke every individual, in whatever sphere oflife he may be placed, to feel a personal responsibility to God and hiscountry for keeping this day holy and for contributing all in his powerto remove our actual and impending calamities. 

JAMES BUCHANAN. 

EXECUTIVE ORDERS. 

[From Sparks's Washington, Vol. X, pp. 11-12. ]

NEW YORK, _June 8, 1789_. 

SIR:[177] Although in the present unsettled state of the ExecutiveDepartments under the Government of the Union I do not conceive itexpedient to call upon you for information officially, yet I havesupposed that some informal communications from the Office of ForeignAffairs might neither be improper nor unprofitable. Finding myself atthis moment less occupied with the duties of my office than I shallprobably be at almost any time hereafter, I am desirous of employingmyself in obtaining an acquaintance with the real situation of theseveral great Departments at the period of my acceding to theadministration of the General Government. For this purpose I wish toreceive in writing such a clear account of the Department at the head ofwhich you have been for some years past as may be sufficient (withoutoverburthening or confusing the mind, which has very many objects toclaim its attention at the same instant) to impress me with a full, precise, and distinct general idea of the affairs of the United Statesso far as they are comprehended in or connected with that Department. 

As I am now at leisure to inspect such papers and documents as may benecessary to be acted upon hereafter or as may be calculated to give mean insight into the business and duties of that Department, I havethought fit to address this notification to you accordingly. 

I am, etc. , GO. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 177: Addressed to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, theSecretary of War, the Board of the Treasury, and the Postmaster-General. ]

[From American State Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. I, pp. 96-97. ]

INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE GOVERNOR OFTHE WESTERN TERRITORY--6TH OCTOBER, 1789. 

ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, Esq. , _Governor of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the Ohioand Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Northern District_. 

SIR: Congress having by their act of the 29th of September lastempowered me to call forth the militia of the States, respectively, forthe protection of the frontiers from the incursions of the hostileIndians, I have thought proper to make this communication to you, together with the instructions herein contained. 

It is highly necessary that I should as soon as possible possess fullinformation whether the Wabash and Illinois Indians are most inclinedfor war or peace. If for the former, it is proper that I should beinformed of the means which will most probably induce them to peace. If a peace can be established with the said Indians on reasonable terms, the interests of the United States dictate that it should be effected assoon as possible. 

You will therefore inform the said Indians of the dispositions of theGeneral Government on this subject and of their reasonable desire thatthere should be a cessation of hostilities as a prelude to a treaty. If, however, notwithstanding your intimations to them, they should continuetheir hostilities or meditate any incursions against the frontiers ofVirginia and Pennsylvania or against any of the troops or posts of theUnited States, and it should appear to you that the time of executionwould be so near as to forbid your transmitting the information to meand receiving my further orders thereon, then you are hereby authorizedand empowered in my name to call on the lieutenants of the nearestcounties of Virginia and Pennsylvania for such detachments of militia asyou may judge proper, not exceeding, however, 1, 000 from Virginia and500 from Pennsylvania. 

I have directed letters to be written to the executives of Virginia andPennsylvania informing them of the before-recited act of Congress andthat I have given you these conditional directions, so that there maynot be any obstructions to such measures as shall be necessary to betaken by you for calling forth the militia agreeably to the instructionsherein contained. 

The said militia to act in conjunction with the Federal troops in suchoperations, offensive or defensive, as you and the commanding officer ofthe troops conjointly shall judge necessary for the public service andthe protection of the inhabitants and the posts. 

The said militia while in actual service to be on the continentalestablishment of pay and rations. They are to arm and equip themselves, but to be furnished with public ammunition if necessary; and no chargefor the pay of said militia will be valid unless supported by regularmusters, made by a field or other officer of the Federal troops, to beappointed by the commanding officer of the troops. 

I would have it observed forcibly that a war with the Wabash Indiansought to be avoided by all means consistently with the security of thefrontier inhabitants, the security of the troops, and the nationaldignity. In the exercise of the present indiscriminate hostilities itis extremely difficult, if not impossible, to say that a war withoutfurther measures would be just on the part of the United States. 

But if, after manifesting clearly to the Indians the dispositions ofthe General Government for the preservation of peace and the extensionof a just protection to the said Indians, they should continue theirincursions, the United States will be constrained to punish them withseverity. 

You will also proceed, as soon as you can with safety, to execute theorders of the late Congress respecting the inhabitants at St. Vincennesand at the Kaskaskias and the other villages on the Mississippi. It is acircumstance of some importance that the said inhabitants should as soonas possible possess the lands to which they are entitled by some knownand fixed principles. 

I have directed a number of copies of the treaty made by you at FortHarmar with the Wyandots, etc. , on the 9th of January last to be printedand forwarded to you, together with the ratification and my proclamationenjoining the observance thereof. 

As it may be of high importance to obtain a precise and accurateknowledge of the several waters which empty into the Ohio on thenorthwest and of those which discharge themselves in the Lakes Erie andMichigan, the length of the portages between, and nature of the ground, an early and pointed attention thereto is earnestly recommended. 

Given under my hand, in the city of New York, this 6th day of October, A. D. 1789, and in the thirteenth year of the Sovereignty andIndependence of the United States. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[From The Freeman's Journal; or, The North American Intelligencer, Philadelphia, October 21, 1789. ]

 CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

 AN ACT providing for the payment of the invalid pensioners of the United States. 

 _Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled_, That the military pensions which have been granted and paid by the States, respectively, in pursuance of the acts of the United States in Congress assembled, to the invalids who were wounded and disabled during the late war shall be continued and paid by the United States from the 4th day of March last for the space of one year under such regulations as the President of the United States may direct. 

 FREDERICK AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG, _Speaker of the House of Representatives. _

 JOHN ADAMS, _Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate. _

 Approved, September 29, 1789. 

 Go. WASHINGTON, _President of the United States. _

WAR OFFICE, _October 13, 1789. _

In pursuance of the above-recited law, information is hereby given toall the invalid pensioners of the United States that the amount of oneyear's pension from the 4th day of March last will be paid to them ortheir attorneys, respectively, in two equal payments, the first of whichwill be made on the 5th day of March, 1790, and the second on the 5thday of June following, at such places in each State and by such personsas shall hereafter in due season be publicly made known. 

The payments will be made according to the following regulations, towit:

The returns which have been or shall be made to the Secretary for theDepartment of War by the several States of the pensions which have beengranted and paid by them, respectively, will, together with the vouchersherein required, be considered as the evidence whereon the payments areto be made. 

Every application for payment must be accompanied by the followingvouchers:

First. The certificate given by the State, specifying that the personpossessing it is in fact an invalid and ascertaining the sum to which assuch he is annually entitled. 

Secondly. An affidavit agreeably to the following form, to wit:

 A. B. Came before me, one of the justices for the county of ----, in the State of ----, and made oath that he is the same A. B. To whom the original certificate in his possession was given, of which the following is a copy: [The certificate given by the State to be recited. ]

 That he served in ---- [regiment or vessel] at the time he was disabled, and that he now resides in the ---- and county of ----, and has resided there for the last ---- years, previous to which he resided in ----. 

In case an invalid should apply for payment by an attorney the saidattorney must, besides the certificate and oath before recited, produce aspecial letter of attorney agreeably to the following form:

 I, A. B. , of ----, county of ----, State of ----, do hereby constitute and appoint C. D. , of ----, my lawful attorney to receive in my behalf ---- [the first or second moiety] of my annual pension as an invalid of the United States from the 4th day of March, 1789. 

 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ----. 

 Signed and sealed in the presence of ---- ----. 

 Acknowledged before me ---- ----. 

Applications of executors or administrators must be accompanied withlegal evidence of their respective offices and also the time the invaliddied whose pension they may claim. 

By command of the President of the United States of America:

H. KNOX, _Secretary for the Department of War. _

[From Annals of Congress, Second Congress, 1247-1248. ]

_George Washington, President of the United States of America, to theSecretary of the Treasury for the time being_:

By virtue of the several acts, the one entitled "An act making provisionfor the debt of the United States" and the other entitled "An act makingprovision for the reduction of the public debt, " I do hereby authorizeand empower you, by yourself or any other person or persons, to borrowon behalf of the United States, within the said States or elsewhere, a sum or sums not exceeding in the whole $14, 000, 000, and to make orcause to be made for that purpose such contract or contracts as shallbe necessary and for the interest of the said States, subject to therestrictions and limitations in the said several acts contained; andfor so doing this shall be your sufficient warrant. 

In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the United States to behereunto affixed. 

[SEAL. ]

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, this 28th day of August, A. D. 1790. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

By the President: TH: JEFFERSON. 

[From Annals of Congress, Second Congress, 1249-1250. ]

_George Washington, President of the United States of America, to theSecretary of the Treasury for the time being_:

Having thought fit to commit to you the charge of borrowing on behalf ofthe United States a sum or sums not exceeding in the whole $14, 000, 000, pursuant to the several acts, the one entitled "An act making provisionfor the debt of the United States, " the other entitled "An act makingprovision for the reduction of the public debt"--

I do hereby make known to you that in the execution of the said trustyou are to observe and follow the orders and directions following, viz:Except where otherwise especially directed by me you shall employ inthe negotiation of any loan or loans which may be made in any foreigncountry William Short, esq. You shall borrow or cause to be borrowed, on the best terms which shall be found practicable (and within thelimitations prescribed by law as to time of repayment and rate ofinterest), such sum or sums as shall be sufficient to discharge as wellall installments or parts of the principal of the foreign debt whichnow are due or shall become payable to the end of the year 1791 as allinterest and arrears of interest which now are or shall become due inrespect to the said debt to the same end of the year 1791; and you shallapply or cause to be applied the moneys which shall be so borrowed withall convenient dispatch to the payment of the said installments andparts of the principal and interest and arrears of the interest ofthe said debt. You shall not extend the amount of the loan which youshall make or cause to be made beyond the sum which shall be necessaryfor completing such payment unless it can be done upon terms moreadvantageous to the United States than those upon which the residue ofthe said debt shall stand or be; but if the said residue or any part ofthe same can be paid off by new loans upon terms of advantage to theUnited States you shall cause such further loans as may be requisite tothat end to be made and the proceeds thereof to be applied accordingly. And for carrying into effect the objects and purposes aforesaid I dohereby further empower you to make or cause to be made with whomsoeverit may concern such contract or contracts, being of a nature relativethereto, as shall be found needful and conducive to the interest of theUnited States. 

If any negotiation with any prince or state to whom any part of thesaid debt may be due should be requisite, the same shall be carried onthrough the person who in capacity of minister, chargé d'affaires, orotherwise now is or hereafter shall be charged with transacting theaffairs of the United States with such prince or state, for whichpurpose I shall direct the Secretary of State, with whom you are inthis behalf to consult and concert, to cooperate with you. 

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, this 28th day of August, A. D. 1790. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[From Annals of Congress, Second Congress, 1046. ]

UNITED STATES, _January 16, 1792. _

The SECRETARY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR. 

SIR: As the circumstances which have engaged the United States inthe present Indian war[178] may some of them be out of the publicrecollection and others perhaps be unknown, it may appear advisable thatyou prepare and publish from authentic documents a statement of thosecircumstances, as well as of the measures which have been taken fromtime to time for the reestablishment of peace and friendship. 

When the community are called upon for considerable exertions to relievea part which is suffering under the hand of an enemy, it is desirable tomanifest that due pains have been taken by those intrusted with theadministration of their affairs to avoid the evil. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[Footnote 178: With certain tribes of Indians northwest of the Ohio. ]

[From Annals of Congress, Sixth Congress, 1335. ]

SEPTEMBER 29, 1792. 

The President of the United States doth hereby order and direct thatany lot or lots in the city of Washington may, after the public saleto commence on the 8th day of October, be sold and agreed for by thecommissioners, or any two of them, at private sale for such price andon such terms as they may think proper. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[From Sparks's Washington, Vol. X, pp. 546-548. ]

RULES ADOPTED BY THE CABINET AS TO THE EQUIPMENT OF VESSELS IN THE PORTSOF THE UNITED STATES BY BELLIGERENT POWERS, AND PROCEEDINGS ON THECONDUCT OF THE FRENCH MINISTER. 

AUGUST 3, 1793. 

1. The original arming and equipping of vessels in the ports of theUnited States by any of the belligerent parties for military service, offensive or defensive, is deemed unlawful. 

2. Equipments of merchant vessels by either of the belligerent partiesin the ports of the United States purely for the accommodation of themas such is deemed lawful. 

3. Equipments in the ports of the United States of vessels of war in theimmediate service of the Government of any of the belligerent partieswhich if done to other vessels would be of a doubtful nature, as beingapplicable either to commerce or war, are deemed lawful, except thosewhich shall have made prize of the subjects, people, or property ofFrance coming with their prizes into the ports of the United Statespursuant to the seventeenth article of our treaty of amity and commercewith France. 

4. Equipments in the ports of the United States by any of the parties atwar with France of vessels fitted for merchandise and war, whether withor without commissions, which are doubtful in their nature, as beingapplicable either to commerce or war, are deemed lawful, except thosewhich shall be made prize, etc. 

5. Equipments of any of the vessels of France in the ports of the UnitedStates which are doubtful in their nature, as being applicable tocommerce or war, are deemed lawful. 

6. Equipments of every kind in the ports of the United States ofprivateers of the powers at war with France are deemed lawful. 

7. Equipments of vessels in the ports of the United States which areof a nature solely adapted to war are deemed unlawful, except thosestranded or wrecked, as mentioned in the eighteenth article of ourtreaty with France, the sixteenth of our treaty with the UnitedNetherlands, the ninth of our treaty with Prussia, and except thosementioned in the nineteenth article of our treaty with France, theseventeenth of our treaty with the United Netherlands, the eighteenthof our treaty with Prussia. 

8. Vessels of either of the parties not armed, or armed previous totheir coming into the ports of the United States, which shall not haveinfringed any of the foregoing rules, may lawfully engage or enlisttheir own subjects or citizens, not being inhabitants of the UnitedStates, except privateers of the powers at war with France and exceptthose vessels which shall have made prize, etc. 

The foregoing rules having been considered by us at several meetings andbeing now unanimously approved, they are submitted to the President ofthe United States. 

 THOMAS JEFFERSON. ALEXANDER HAMILTON. HENRY KNOX. EDMUND RANDOLPH. 

RESTITUTION OF PRIZES

AUGUST 5, 1793. 

That the minister of the French Republic be informed that the Presidentconsiders the United States as bound, pursuant to positive assurancesgiven in conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate therestoration of or to make compensation for prizes which shall have beenmade of any of the parties at war with France subsequent to the 5th dayof June last by privateers fitted out of their ports. 

That it is consequently expected that he will cause restitution to bemade of all prizes taken and brought into our ports subsequent to theabove-mentioned day by such privateers, in defect of which the Presidentconsiders it as incumbent upon the United States to indemnify the ownersof those prizes, the indemnification to be reimbursed by the Frenchnation. 

That besides taking efficacious measures to prevent the future fittingout of privateers in the ports of the United States they will not giveasylum therein to any which shall have been at any time so fitted out, and will cause restitution of all such prizes as shall be hereafterbrought within their ports by any of the said privateers. 

That instructions be sent to the respective governors in conformity tothe above communication. 

The foregoing having been duly considered, and being now unanimouslyapproved, they are submitted to the President of the United States. 

 THOMAS JEFFERSON. ALEXANDER HAMILTON. HENRY KNOX. EDMUND RANDOLPH. 

CONCERNING THE CONDUCT OF THE FRENCH MINISTER. 

At a meeting of the heads of Departments and the Attorney-General at thePresident's on the 1st and 2d of August, 1793, on a review of the wholeof M. Genet's correspondence and conduct, it was unanimously agreed thata letter should be written to the minister of the United States at Parisstating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which hadarisen between the Government of the United States and M. Genet, assigning the reasons for the opinions of the former and desiring therecall of the latter; and that this letter, with those which have passedbetween M. Genet and the Secretary of State, and other necessarydocuments, shall be laid by Mr. Morris before the Executive of theFrench Government. 

At a meeting of the same at the President's August 15 the rough draft ofthe said letter, having been prepared by the Secretary of State, wasread for consideration, and it was agreed that the Secretary of theTreasury should take measures for obtaining a vessel, either by hire orpurchase, to be sent to France express with the dispatches when ready. 

At a meeting of the same at the President's August 20 the said letterwas read and corrected by paragraphs, and finally agreed to. 

At a meeting of the same at the President's August 23 it was agreed thatthe preceding letter should bear the date of the last document which isto accompany it, to wit, August 16; and the draft of a second letter toour minister at Paris was read and unanimously approved, and to beardate this day. 

Sealed and signed, this 23d day of August, 1793. 

 THOMAS JEFFERSON. ALEXANDER HAMILTON. HENRY KNOX. EDMUND RANDOLPH. 

[From the original, Department of State. ]

PHILADELPHIA, _August 4, 1793. _

The SECRETARY OF STATE. 

SIR: If the heads of Departments and the Attorney-General, who haveprepared the eight rules which you handed to me yesterday, are wellsatisfied that they are not repugnant to treaties or to the lawsof nations, and, moreover, are the best we can adopt to maintainneutrality, I not only give them my approbation, but desire they maybe made known without delay for the information of all concerned. 

The same expression will do for the other paper, which has beensubscribed as above and submitted to my consideration, for restoring ormaking restitution of prizes under the circumstances therein mentioned. 

It is proper you should be informed that the minister of France intendsto leave this city for New York to-morrow, and not amiss, perhaps, toknow that in mentioning the seasonable aid of hands which the _Ambuscade_received from the French Indiaman the day preceding her meeting the_Boston_ he added that seamen would no longer be wanting, as he had_now_ 1, 500 at his command. This being the case (although theallusion was to the subject he was then speaking upon), some of thesemen may be employed in the equipment of privateers other than those_now_ in existence, as the right of fitting out such _in ourports_ is asserted in unequivocal terms. 

Was the propriety of convening the Legislature at an earlier day thanthat on which it is to assemble by law considered yesterday?

The late decree of the National Convention of France, dated the 9th ofMay, authorizing their ships of war and armed vessels to stop anyneutral vessel loaded in whole or part with provisions and send theminto their ports, adds another motive for the adoption of this measure. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[From Annals of Congress, Seventh Congress, second session, 746-747. ]

JOHN ADAMS, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE COMMANDERS OF ARMED VESSELS BELONGING TO THE UNITEDSTATES, GIVEN AT PHILADELPHIA THIS 28TH DAY OF MAY, A. D. 1798, AND INTHE TWENTY-SECOND YEAR OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE SAID STATES. 

Whereas it is declared by an act of Congress passed the 28th day ofMay, 1798, that armed vessels sailing under authority or pretense ofauthority from the French Republic have committed depredations on thecommerce of the United States and have recently captured the vessels andproperty of citizens thereof on and near the coasts, in violation of thelaw of nations and treaties between the United States and the Frenchnation:

Therefore, and in pursuance of the said act, you are instructed anddirected to seize, take, and bring into any port of the United States, to be proceeded against according to the laws of nations, any armedvessel sailing under authority or pretense of authority from the FrenchRepublic which shall have committed, or which shall be found hoveringon the coasts of the United States for the purpose of committing, depredations on the vessels belonging to citizens thereof, and also toretake any ship or vessel of any citizen or citizens of the UnitedStates which may have been captured by any such armed vessel. 

By command:

JAMES M'HENRY, _Secretary of War_. 

[From American State Papers, Foreign Relations, Vol. II, pp. 365-367. ]

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PRIVATE ARMED VESSELS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

First. In exercising the powers granted by the act of Congress entitled"An act further to protect the commerce of the United States, " passedthe 9th day of July, 1798, and which is hereto annexed, the regulationstherein prescribed are to be strictly attended to and observed. 

Second. The powers of capturing and recapturing granted by the said actbeing pointed solely and exclusively against French armed vessels andthose vessels, goods, and effects of citizens of the United States or ofpersons resident therein which shall have been captured by the French, the rights of all other nations are to be duly respected, and they arenot to be molested in their persons or property; consequently Americanvessels and property captured by the commissioned vessels of such ofthose other nations as are at war are not to be recaptured by the armedvessels of the United States. Nevertheless, any vessels found on thehigh seas may be examined in such manner as shall be necessary toascertain whether they are or are not armed French vessels, or "vesselsthe property of or employed by any citizen of the United States orperson resident therein, or having on board any goods or effectsbelonging to any such citizen or resident, " that have been captured bythe French. But if they are of neither of these descriptions they areto be dismissed with as little delay as possible. And in making suchexamination care is to be taken that no injury be done to the vessel orto the persons or property on board her. It peculiarly becomes a nationlike the American, contending for her just rights and defending herselfagainst insults and injuries, to respect the rights of others andstudiously to avoid not only the outrage and the inhumanity but even theincivility of which itself complains. It is hoped that Americans will beas distinguished for their justice and humanity as for their bravery andlove of true liberty. If, on the contrary, any of the officers or crewsof American armed vessels shall practice any cruelty or inhumanitycontrary to the usage of civilized nations, the offenders will beseverely punished. 

Third. For the purposes of the act aforesaid you will consider the "highseas" to extend to low-water mark on all the coasts of France and herdominions and of all places subject to her power in any part of theworld, and exercise accordingly the powers of capturing and recapturinggranted by the act aforesaid. By the same rule, seeing a war existsbetween Great Britain and France, you may capture and recapture asaforesaid on all the coasts of the British dominions and of all placessubject to the British power. But you are to refrain from exercising theaforesaid powers of capturing and recapturing in waters which are underthe protection of any other nations, that their peace and sovereigntymay remain unviolated. If, however, any armed French vessel, regardlessof the rights of these other nations, shall within their jurisdictionallimits attack or capture any vessel, goods, or effects the property ofcitizens of or residents in the United States, and you are able toattack and take such armed French vessel or to retake her prize withinthe jurisdictional limits of such nations, you are to do it, providedtheir governments, respectively, or the commanders or governors in chiefin such places give their permission. 

Fourth. The master or pilot and one or more of the principal persons ofthe company of every armed French vessel captured as aforesaid are to besent as soon after the capture as may be to the judge or judges of theproper court in the United States to be examined upon oath touching theinterest or property of the captured vessel and her lading, and at thesame time are to be delivered to the judge or judges all passes, charterparties, bills of lading, invoices, letters, and other documents andwritings found on board; the said papers to be proved by the affidavitof the commander of the capturing vessel or some other person presentat the capture, to be produced as they were received, without fraud, addition, subduction, or embezzlement. 

Fifth. The commanders of American private armed ships are by allconvenient opportunities to send to the Secretary of the Navy writtenaccounts of the captures they shall make, with the number and namesof the captives and intelligence of what may occur or be discoveredconcerning the designs of the French and the destinations, motions, and operations of their fleets, cruisers, and armies. 

Sixth. Where it can be done without injury or great inconvenience, thearmed French vessels captured as aforesaid are to be sent to some portin the United States to be tried according to law. But such captures mayhappen in places remote from the United States or under circumstanceswhich would render the sending of the captured vessels thither extremelyinconvenient, while, from the vicinity of the ports of the Britishdominions or those of any other power in friendship with the UnitedStates, but at war with France, or from other circumstances, it would beeasy to send such captured vessels into those friendly ports. In suchcases it will be lawful to send such prizes into those friendly portswhere they will find an asylum; and if the laws of those countries admitof it and it can be done to the satisfaction of the captors, there willbe no objection on the part of the American Government to the libelingand trying such captured armed French vessels by the proper courts ofthose, countries, where also may be delivered to the proper officersall French persons and others who shall be found acting on board of anyFrench armed vessel which shall be captured or on board of any vesselof the United States which shall be recaptured as aforesaid. 

Seventh. With respect to American vessels, goods, and effectsrecaptured, it seems not necessary to bring them immediately into a portof the United States. If brought in, they are to be restored to theowners on the payment of salvage. But such recaptured vessels, goods, and effects may at the time of recapture be so remote from the UnitedStates and so near a market, or the goods and effects may be of a natureso perishable, that to send such vessels, goods, and effects back to theUnited States may prove extremely injurious to the owners and recaptors, whereas, if permitted to proceed to their destined ports, or otherplaces, to a market, greater advantages may result to all concernedtherein; and as either the master, mate, or supercargo of any suchrecaptured vessel is usually left on board, and with the aid of theprizemaster and hands of the recaptors, which would be necessary tobring her home, might proceed and complete their original or otherbeneficial voyage, the commanders of the private armed vessels will insuch case consider maturely the course most proper to be pursued, aswell for the benefit of their fellow-citizens whose property they shallthus recapture as of themselves in respect to the salvage to which theyand their crews and owners will be entitled. Nothing on this subject isenjoined; the commanders of the private armed vessels are to use theirsound discretion. 

Eighth. If any vessel of the United States, public or private, shall befound in distress by being attacked or taken by the French, the commanders, officers, and company of the private armed vessels aforesaid areto use their utmost endeavors to aid, succor, relieve, and free every suchvessel in distress. 

AN ACT further to protect the commerce of the United States. 

SECTION 1. _Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representativesof the United States of America in Congress assembled_, That thePresident of the United States shall be, and he is hereby, authorizedto instruct the commanders of the public armed vessels which are orwhich shall be employed in the service of the United States to subdue, seize, and take any armed French vessel which shall be found withinthe jurisdictional limits of the United States or elsewhere onthe high seas; and such captured vessel, with her apparel, guns, andappurtenances and the goods or effects which shall be found on boardthe same, being French property, shall be brought within some port ofthe United States and shall be duly proceeded against and condemned asforfeited, and shall accrue and be distributed as by law is or shall beprovided respecting the captures which shall be made by the public armedvessels of the United States. 

SEC. 2. _And be it further enacted_, That the President of theUnited States shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to grant to theowners of private armed ships and vessels of the United States who shallmake application therefor special commissions in the form which he shalldirect and under the seal of the United States; and such private armedvessels, when duly commissioned as aforesaid, shall have the samelicense and authority for the subduing, seizing, and capturing any armedFrench vessel and for the recapture of the vessels, goods, and effectsof the people of the United States as the public armed vessels of theUnited States may by law have, and shall be in like manner subject tosuch instructions as shall be ordered by the President of the UnitedStates for the regulation of their conduct; and the commissions whichshall be granted as aforesaid shall be revocable at the pleasure of thePresident of the United States. 

SEC. 3. _Provided, and be it further enacted_, That every personintending to set forth and employ an armed vessel and applying for acommission as aforesaid shall produce in writing the name and a suitabledescription of the tonnage and force of the vessel and the name andplace of residence of each owner concerned therein, the number of thecrew, and the name of the commander and the two officers next in rankappointed for such vessel, which writing shall be signed by the personor persons making such application and filed with the Secretary ofState, or shall be delivered to any other officer or person who shall beemployed to deliver out such commissions, to be by him transmitted tothe Secretary of State. 

SEC. 4. _And provided, and be it further enacted_, That beforeany commission as aforesaid shall be issued the owner or owners of theship or vessel for which the same shall be requested and the commanderthereof for the time being shall give bond to the United States, withat least two responsible sureties not interested in such vessel, in thepenal sum of $7, 000, or, if such vessel be provided with more than 150men, then in the penal sum of $14, 000, with condition that the ownersand officers and crews who shall be employed on board of suchcommissioned vessel shall and will observe the treaties and laws of theUnited States and the instructions which shall be given them for theregulation of their conduct, and will satisfy all damages and injurieswhich shall be done or committed contrary to the tenor thereof by suchvessel during her commission, and to deliver up the same when revokedby the President of the United States. 

SEC. 5. _And be it further enacted_, That all armed French vessels, together with their apparel, guns, and appurtenances and any goods oreffects which shall be found on board the same, being French property, and which shall be captured by any private armed vessel or vessels ofthe United States duly commissioned as aforesaid, shall be forfeitedand shall accrue to the owners thereof and the officers and crews bywhom such captures shall be made, and on due condemnation had shall bedistributed according to any agreement which shall be between them, or, in failure of such agreement, then by the discretion of the court beforewhom such condemnation shall be. 

SEC. 6. _And be it further enacted_, That all vessels, goods, andeffects the property of any citizen of the United States or personresident therein which shall be recaptured as aforesaid shall berestored to the lawful owners upon payment by them, respectively, of ajust and reasonable salvage, to be determined by the mutual agreement ofthe parties concerned or by the decree of any court of the United Stateshaving maritime jurisdiction, according to the nature of each case:_Provided_, That such allowance shall not be less than one-eighthor exceeding one-half of the full value of such recapture, without anydeduction. And such salvage shall be distributed to and among theowners, officers, and crews of the private armed vessel or vesselsentitled thereto according to any agreement which shall be between them, or, in case of no agreement, then by the decree of the court who shalldetermine upon such salvage. 

SEC. 7. _And be it further enacted_, That before breaking bulk ofany vessel which shall be captured as aforesaid, or other disposal orconversion thereof, or of any articles which shall be found on board thesame, such capture shall be brought into some port of the United Statesand shall be libeled and proceeded against before the district court ofthe same district; and if, after a due course of proceeding, suchcapture shall be decreed as forfeited in the district court, or in thecircuit court of the same district in the case of any appeal dulyallowed, the same shall be delivered to the owners and captors concernedtherein, or shall be publicly sold by the marshal of the same court, asshall be finally decreed and ordered by the court; and the same court, who shall have final jurisdiction of any libel or complaint of anycapture as aforesaid, shall and may decree restitution, in whole or inpart, when the capture and restraint shall have been made without justcause as aforesaid, and if made without probable cause or otherwiseunreasonably may order and decree damages and costs to the partyinjured, and for which the owners, officers, and crews of the privatearmed vessel or vessels by which such unjust capture shall have beenmade, and also such vessel or vessels, shall be answerable and liable. 

SEC. 8. _And be it further enacted_, That all French persons andothers who shall be found acting on board any French armed vessel whichshall be captured, or on board of any vessel of the United States whichshall be recaptured as aforesaid, shall be reported to the collector ofthe port in which they shall first arrive, and shall be delivered to thecustody of the marshal or of some civil or military officer of theUnited States or of any State in or near such port, who shall takecharge for their safe-keeping and support, at the expense of the UnitedStates. 

Enacted into a law July 9, 1798. 

By command of the President of the United States of America:

---- ----, _Secretary of State_. 

[From Annals of Congress, Seventh Congress, second session, 747. ]

JOHN ADAMS, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 

INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMANDERS OF ARMED VESSELS BELONGING TO THE UNITEDSTATES, GIVEN AT PHILADELPHIA THE 10TH DAY OF JULY, A. D. 1798, AND INTHE TWENTY-THIRD YEAR OF OUR INDEPENDENCE. 

In pursuance of the acts of Congress passed the 27th day of May, the20th day of June, and the 9th day of July--

You are hereby authorized, instructed, and directed to subdue, seize, and take any armed French vessel or vessels sailing under authority orpretense of authority from the French Republic which shall be foundwithin the jurisdictional limits of the United States or elsewhere onthe high seas, and such captured vessel, with her apparel, guns, andappurtenances and the goods and effects which shall be found on board ofthe same, to bring within some port of the United States; and alsoretake any vessel, goods, and effects of the United States or personsresident therein which may have been captured by any French vessel, inorder that proceedings may be had concerning such capture or recapturein due form of law and as to right shall appertain. 

By command of the President of the United States of America:

BEN. STODDERT. 

[From C. F. Adams's Works of John Adams, Vol. IX, p. 160. ]

CIRCULAR TO THE COMMANDERS OF ARMED VESSELS IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITEDSTATES, GIVEN AT THE NAVY DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 29, 1798. 

SIR: It is the positive command of the President that on no pretensewhatever you permit the public vessel of war under your command to bedetained or searched nor any of the officers or men belonging to her tobe taken from her by the ships or vessels of any foreign nation so longas you are in a capacity to repel such outrage on the honor of theAmerican flag. If force should be exerted to compel your submission, you are to resist that force to the utmost of your power, and whenoverpowered by superior force you are to strike your flag and thus yieldyour vessel as well as your men, but never your men without your vessel. 

You will remember, however, that your demeanor be respectful andfriendly to the vessels and people of all nations in amity with theUnited States, and that you avoid as carefully the commission of as thesubmission to insult or injury. 

I have the honor to be, etc. , BEN STODDERT. 

[From Annals of Congress, Seventh Congress, second session, 747-748. ]

CIRCULAR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CAPTAINS AND COMMANDERS OF VESSELS IN THESERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES. 

NAVY DEPARTMENT, _March 12, 1799. _

SIR: Herewith you will receive an act of Congress "further to suspendthe commercial intercourse between the United States and France and thedependencies thereof, " the whole of which requires your attention; butit is the command of the President that you consider particularly thefifth section as part of your instructions and govern yourselfaccordingly. 

A proper discharge of the important duties arising out of this act willrequire the exercise of a sound and an impartial judgment. You are notonly to do all that in you lies to prevent all intercourse, whetherdirect or circuitous, between the ports of the United States and thoseof France or her dependencies in cases where the vessels or cargoes areapparently, as well as really, American and protected by American papersonly, but you are to be vigilant that vessels or cargoes reallyAmerican, but covered by Danish or other foreign papers and bound to orfrom French ports, do not escape you. Whenever, on just suspicion, yousend a vessel into port to be dealt with according to the aforementionedlaw, besides sending with her all her papers send all the evidence youcan obtain to support your suspicions and effect her condemnation. Atthe same time that you are thus attentive to fulfill the objects of thelaw you are to be extremely careful not to harass or injure the trade offoreign nations with whom we are at peace nor the fair trade of our owncitizens. 

A misconstruction of his authority by Captain Nicholson in relation tovessels of friendly nations captured by the French renders it necessarythat I should make some explanatory observations on that subject. Ourlaws direct the capture of all armed vessels sailing under authority orpretense of authority from the French Republic. A vessel captured by thecitizens of France must be considered as sailing under the authorityof France, and it is scarcely to be supposed that in times like thepresent, when few vessels sail without arms, a captured vessel inpossession of the captors will be so circumstanced as not to come underthe description of an armed vessel within the meaning of our laws. Tojustify a recapture nothing is necessary but that the vessel be providedwith such means of annoyance as will render her dangerous to an unarmedAmerican vessel in pursuit of lawful commerce. If, however, the vesselcan not be considered an armed vessel within the meaning of our laws, you are not to recapture her unless you should have probable cause tosuspect that the citizens of the United States or persons residenttherein have some interest in the vessel or cargo. 

It is always your duty to recapture American property and property ofpersons resident within the United States whenever found in possessionof the French on the high seas. 

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, BEN. STODDERT. 

[From Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, December 20, 1799. ]

The President with deep regret announces to the Army the death of itsbeloved chief, General George Washington. Sharing in the grief whichevery heart must feel for so heavy and afflicting a public loss, anddesirous to express his high sense of the vast debt of gratitude whichis due to the virtues, talents, and ever-memorable services of theillustrious deceased, he directs that funeral honors be paid to him atall the military stations, and that the officers of the Army and ofthe several corps of volunteers wear crape on the left arm by way ofmourning for six months. Major-General Hamilton will give the necessaryorders for carrying into effect the foregoing directions. 

Given at the War Office of the United States, in Philadelphia, this 19thday of December, A. D. 1799, and in the twenty-fourth year of theIndependence of the said States. 

By command of the President:

JAMES M'HENRY, _Secretary of War_. 

[From Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, December 21, 1799. ]

NAVY DEPARTMENT, _December 20, 1799_. 

The President with deep affliction announces to the Navy and to themarines the death of our beloved fellow-citizen, George Washington, commander of our armies and late President of the United States, butrendered more illustrious by his eminent virtues and a long series ofthe most important services than by the honors which his gratefulcountry delighted to confer upon him. 

Desirous that the Navy and marines should express, in common with everyother description of American citizens, the high sense which all feel ofthe loss our country has sustained in the death of this good and greatman, the President directs that the vessels of the Navy in our own andforeign ports be put in mourning for one week by wearing their colorshalf-mast high, and that the officers of the Navy and of the marineswear crape on the left arm below the elbow for six months. 

BEN. STODDERT. 

[From Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, December 24, 1799. ]

Impressed with unspeakable grief and under the influence of anaffectionate sympathy which must pervade the hearts of his belovedfellow citizen soldiers, the Blues, Brigadier-General MacPhersonannounces the following communication:

PHILADELPHIA, _December 21, 1799_. 

Major-General Hamilton has received through the Secretary of Warthe following order from the President of the United States:

[For order see preceding page. ]

The impressive terms in which this great national calamity is announcedby the President could receive no new force from anything that might beadded. The voice of praise would in vain endeavor to exalt a characterunrivaled on the lists of true glory. Words would in vain attempt togive utterance to that profound and reverential grief which willpenetrate every American bosom and engage the sympathy of an admiringworld. If the sad privilege of preeminence in sorrow may justly beclaimed by the companions in arms of our lamented Chief, theiraffections will spontaneously perform the dear though painful duty. 'Tis only for me to mingle my tears with those of my fellow-soldiers, cherishing with them the precious recollection that while others arepaying a merited tribute to "The Man of the Age" we in particular, allied as we were to him by a closer tie, are called to mourn theirreparable loss of a kind and venerated patron and father!

In obedience to the directions of the President, the following funeralhonors will be paid at the several stations of the Army:

At daybreak sixteen guns will be fired in quick succession and one gunat a distance of each half hour till sunset. 

During the procession of the troops to the place representing that ofthe interment and until the conclusion of the ceremonial minute gunswill be fired. 

The bier will be received by the troops formed in line presenting theirarms and the officers, drums, and colors saluting. After this theprocession will begin, the troops marching by platoons in inverted orderand with arms reversed to the place of interment, the drums muffled andthe music playing a dead march. 

The bier, carried by four sergeants and attended by six pallbearers, where there is cavalry will be preceded by the cavalry and will befollowed by the troops on foot. Where there is no cavalry, a detachmentof infantry will precede the bier, which itself will in every case bepreceded by such of the clergy as may be present. The officers of thegeneral staff will immediately succeed the bier. 

Where a numerous body of citizens shall be united with the military inthe procession, the whole of the troops will precede the bier, whichwill then be followed by the citizens. 

When arrived near the place of interment, the procession will halt, thetroops in front of the bier will form in line, and, opening their ranks, will face inwards, to admit the passage of the bier, which will thenpass through the ranks, the troops leaning on their arms, reversed, while the bier passes. When the bier shall have passed, the troops willresume their position in line, and, reversing their arms, will remainleaning upon them until the ceremonial shall be closed. 

The music will now perform a solemn air, after which the introductorypart of this order shall be read. 

At the end of this a detachment of infantry, appointed for the purpose, will advance and fire three volleys over the bier. 

The troops will then return, the music playing the President's march, the drums previously unmuffled. 

The uniform companies of militia are invited to join in arms thevolunteer corps. 

The commanders at particular stations, conforming generally to thisplan, will make such exceptions as will accommodate it to situation. Atplaces where processions of unarmed citizens shall take place it is thewish of the Major-General that the military ceremonial should be united, and the particular commanders at those places are authorized to vary theplan so as to adapt it to the circumstances. 

Brigadier-General MacPherson is charged to superintend the ceremonial inthe city of Philadelphia; Major Tousard will attend to Fort Mifflin andwill cooperate with him. 

The day of performing the ceremonial at each station is left to theparticular commander. 

Major-General Pinckney will make such further arrangements within hisdistrict as he shall deem expedient. 

PHILIP CHURCH, _Aid-de-Camp. _

In conformity to the above the volunteers of the city and county ofPhiladelphia in the service of the United States will parade, completelyequipped, at the manege, in Chesnut street, on Thursday next, the 26thinstant, at 10 o'clock a. M. The officers, together with the uniformcompanies of militia who may think proper to join on this mournfuloccasion, will please to signify their intention to Brigadier-GeneralMacPherson at his quarters on or before Tuesday next at 1 o'clock p. M. , in order that the necessary arrangement may be made to pay the last sadtribute of veneration to the manes of the late Commander in Chief of theArmies of the United States. 

By order of Brigadier-General MacPherson:

JONATHAN WILLIAMS, _Aid-de-Camp. _

[The following interesting paper is extracted from a speech of SenatorW. C. Rives, of Virginia, delivered in the United States Senate February12, 1839, on a bill to prevent the interference of certain Federalofficers in elections. (See Congressional Globe, Twenty-fifth Congress, third session, Vol. VII, Appendix, p. 409. ) This order PresidentJefferson caused to be issued by the heads of the several Departmentsshortly after his inauguration, March 4, 1801. References are made toit in several publications, but the originals could not be found. ]

The President of the United States has seen with dissatisfactionofficers of the General Government taking on various occasions activeparts in elections of the public functionaries, whether of the Generalor of the State Governments. Freedom of elections being essential to themutual independence of governments and of the different branches of thesame government, so vitally cherished by most of our constitutions, itis deemed improper for officers depending on the Executive of the Unionto attempt to control or influence the free exercise of the electiveright. This I am instructed, therefore, to notify to all officers withinmy Department holding their appointments under the authority of thePresident directly, and to desire them to notify to all subordinateto them. The right of any officer to give his vote at elections as aqualified citizen is not meant to be restrained, nor, however given, shall it have any effect to his prejudice; but it is expected that hewill not attempt to influence the votes of others nor take any part inthe business of electioneering, that being deemed inconsistent with thespirit of the Constitution and his duties to it. 

[From the Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Paul Leicester Ford, Vol. VIII, pp. 99-101. ]

CIRCULAR TO THE HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS. 

WASHINGTON, _November 6, 1801. _

DEAR SIR: Coming all of us into executive office new and unfamiliarwith the course of business previously practiced, it was not to beexpected we should in the first outset adopt in every part a line ofproceeding so perfect as to admit no amendment. The mode and degreesof communication, particularly between the Presidents and heads ofDepartments, have not been practiced exactly on the same scale in all ofthem. Yet it would certainly be more safe and satisfactory for ourselvesas well as the public that not only the best but also an uniform courseof proceeding as to manner and degree should be observed. Having beena member of the first Administration under General Washington, I canstate with exactness what our course then was. Letters of business cameaddressed sometimes to the President, but most frequently to the headsof Departments. If addressed to himself, he referred them to the properDepartment to be acted on. If to one of the Secretaries, the letter, ifit required no answer, was communicated to the President simply for hisinformation. If an answer was requisite, the Secretary of the Departmentcommunicated the letter and his proposed answer to the President. Generally they were simply sent back after perusal, which signifiedhis approbation. Sometimes he returned them with an informal note, suggesting an alteration or a query. If a doubt of any importance arose, he reserved it for conference. By this means he was always in accuratepossession of all facts and proceedings in every part of the Union, andto whatsoever Department they related; he formed a central point for thedifferent branches; preserved an unity of object and action among them;exercised that participation in the suggestion of affairs which hisoffice made incumbent on him, and met himself the due responsibilityfor whatever was done. During Mr. Adams's Administration his long andhabitual absences from the seat of Government rendered this kind ofcommunication impracticable, removed him from any share in thetransaction of affairs, and parceled out the Government, in fact, amongfour independent heads, drawing sometimes in opposite directions. That the former is preferable to the latter course can not be doubted. It gave, indeed, to the heads of Departments the trouble of making uponce a day a packet of all their communications for the perusal of thePresident; it commonly also retarded one day their dispatches by mail;but in pressing cases this injury was prevented by presenting thatcase singly for immediate attention, and it produced us in return thebenefit of his sanction for every act we did. Whether any change ofcircumstances may render a change in this procedure necessary a littleexperience will show us. But I can not withhold recommending to heads ofDepartments that we should adopt this course for the present, leavingany necessary modifications of it to time and trial. I am sure myconduct must have proved better than a thousand declarations would thatmy confidence in those whom I am so happy as to have associated withme is unlimited, unqualified, and unabated. I am well satisfied thateverything goes on with a wisdom and rectitude which I could notimprove. If I had the universe to choose from, I could not change oneof my associates to my better satisfaction. My sole motives are thosebefore expressed, as governing the first Administration in chalking outthe rules of their proceeding, adding to them only a sense of obligationimposed on me by the public will to meet personally the duties to whichthey have appointed me. If this mode of proceeding shall meet theapprobation of the heads of Departments, it may go into executionwithout giving them the trouble of an answer. If any other can besuggested which would answer our views and add less to their labors, that will be a sufficient reason for my preferring it to my ownproposition, to the substance of which only, and not the form, I attachany importance. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[From Annals of Congress, Tenth Congress, second session, 332-333. ]

By virtue of the act entitled "An act making provision for defraying anyextraordinary expenses attending the intercourse between the UnitedStates and foreign nations, " passed on the 13th day of February, 1806, and of which the annexed is an official exemplification, I, ThomasJefferson, President of the United States of America, do herebyauthorize and empower Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury of theUnited States, to take all proper and necessary measures for placing the$2, 000, 000 appropriated by the act above recited at the joint disposalof John Armstrong and James Bowdoin, commissioners plenipotentiary andextraordinary for settling all matters of difference between the UnitedStates and the Government of Spain, and, in case of the death of one ofthem, at the disposal of the survivor, to be jointly applied by the saidJohn Armstrong and James Bowdoin, or, in case of the death of one ofthem, by the survivor, to such purposes as I may think proper to directin my instructions to them; and for so doing this shall be hissufficient warrant. 

In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the United States to behereunto affixed. 

[SEAL. ]

Given under my hand, at the city of Washington, this 18th day of March, 1806. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

By the President: JAMES MADISON, _Secretary of State. _

[From the Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Paul Leicester Ford, Vol. IX, pp. 34-35. ]

CIRCULAR LETTER TO THE GOVERNORS OF KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, OHIO, ANDMISSISSIPPI. 

WASHINGTON, _March 21, 1807. _

SIR: Although the present state of things on the western side of theMississippi does not threaten any immediate collision with our neighborsin that quarter and it is our wish they should remain undisturbed untilan amicable adjustment may take place, yet as this does not depend onourselves alone it has been thought prudent to be prepared to meet anymovements which may occur. The law of a former session of Congress forkeeping a body of 100, 000 militia in readiness for service at a moment'swarning is still in force, but by an act of the last session, a copy ofwhich I now inclose, the Executive is authorized to accept the servicesof such volunteers as shall offer themselves on the conditions of theact, which may render a resort to the former act unnecessary. It isfor the execution of this act that I am now to solicit your zealousendeavors. The persons who shall engage will not be called from theirhomes until some aggression, committed or intended, shall render itnecessary. When called into action it will not be for a lounging butfor an active and perhaps distant service. I know the effect of thisconsideration in kindling that ardor which prevails for this service, and I count on it for filling up the numbers requisite without delay. To yourself I am sure it must be as desirable as it is to me to transferthis service from the great mass of our militia to that portion of themto whose habits and enterprise active and distant service is mostcongenial. In using, therefore, your best exertions toward accomplishingthe object of this act you will render to your constituents as well asto the nation a most acceptable service. 

With respect to the organizing and officering those who shall be engagedwithin your State the act itself will be your guide, and as it isdesirable that we should be kept informed of the progress in thisbusiness I must pray you to report the same from time to time to theSecretary of War, who will correspond with you on all the detailsarising out of it. 

I salute you with great consideration and respect. 

TH: JEFFERSON. 

[From American State Papers, Finance, Vol. II, p. 449. ]

_James Madison, President of the United States of America, to AlbertGallatin, Secretary of the Treasury_:

By virtue of the act entitled "An act authorizing a loan of moneyfor a sum not exceeding the amount of the principal of the public debtreimbursable during the year 1810, " passed on the 1st day of May, 1810, I do hereby authorize and empower you, by yourself or any other personor persons, to borrow on behalf of the United States, of the Bank of theUnited States, any sum not exceeding in the whole $3, 750, 000, and tomake or cause to be made for that purpose such contract as shall benecessary and for the interest of the said States, pursuant to the actaforesaid; and for so doing this shall be your warrant. 

Given under my hand, at Washington, this 28th day of May, A. D. 1810. 

JAMES MADISON. 

[From Annals of Congress, Thirteenth Congress, Vol. II, 2544-2545. ]

NAVY DEPARTMENT, _July 29, 1813_. 

_Commanding Officers of Stations or Vessels of United States Navy_:

The palpable and criminal intercourse held with the enemy's forcesblockading and invading the waters and shores of the United States is, in a military view, an offense of so deep a dye as to call for thevigilant interposition of all the naval officers of the United States. 

This intercourse is not only carried on by foreigners, under thespecious garb of friendly flags, who convey provisions, water, andsuccors of all kinds (ostensibly destined for friendly ports, in theface, too, of a declared and rigorous blockade) direct to the fleetsand stations of the enemy, with constant intelligence of our navaland military force and preparation and the means of continuing andconducting the invasion, to the greatest possible annoyance of thecountry, but the same traffic, intercourse, and intelligence is carriedon with great subtility and treachery by profligate citizens, who, invessels ostensibly navigating our own waters from port to port, undercover of night or other circumstances favoring their turpitude, findmeans to convey succors or intelligence to the enemy and elude thepenalty of the law. This lawless traffic and intercourse is also carriedon to a great extent in craft whose capacity exempts them from theregulations of the revenue laws and from the vigilance which vesselsof greater capacity attract. 

I am therefore commanded by the President of the United States to enjoinand direct all naval commanding officers to exercise the strictestvigilance and to stop and detain all vessels or craft whatsoeverproceeding or apparently intending to proceed toward the enemy's vesselswithin the waters or hovering about the harbors of the United States, ortoward any station occupied by the enemy within the jurisdiction of theUnited States, from which vessels or craft the enemy might derivesuccors or intelligence. 

W. JONES. 

[From Congressional Globe, Vol. V, p. 323. ]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, _February 22, 1836_. 

_To Receivers of Public Moneys, Collectors, Disbursing Officers, andthe Deposit Banks of the United States_:

The established policy of the Treasury Department, so far as may bepracticable under its present powers over the collection, keeping, anddisbursement of the public money, is to diminish the circulation ofsmall bank notes and to substitute specie, and especially gold, for suchnotes, with the view of rendering the currency of the country, throughwhich its fiscal operations are performed, more safe, sound, anduniform. In pursuance of that policy, a circular was issued last Aprilwhich prohibited after the 30th September, 1835, the receipt on accountof the Government of any bank notes of a less denomination than $5, andwhich intimated that other steps to promote the desirable objects beforenamed would in due time be taken. 

Consequently, in further pursuance of the same policy, you are herebyrequired after the 1st of May next not to pay the demands of any publicofficer or creditor in any bank notes of a less denomination than $5, and, except when it may be otherwise prescribed by law, after the 4th ofJuly next not to receive or pay on account of the Government any banknotes of a less denomination than $10. 

All the deposit banks are requested to supply themselves with such aquantity of American gold coin as to be able to pay, and when a publicofficer or creditor prefers it, and his demand does not exceed $500, topay at least one-fifth of such demand in that coin. It is also requestedthat the deposit banks will not after the 4th of July next issue anynotes of a less denomination than $5, and that after the 3d of March, 1837, they will not, unless the subject be otherwise regulated byCongress, issue any notes of a less denomination than $10. It isbelieved that the amount of gold which by that time shall be coined atthe Mint will be sufficient to admit of the convenient substitution ofit for small notes in a much greater extent than at present; and it isdeemed reasonable that while the deposit banks have the use, withoutinterest, of unusually large sums of the public money they should makesome further temporary sacrifices to obtain and circulate gold and inother respects to enlarge the specie basis of our circulating medium. 

From these considerations and from the liberal spirit evinced by mostof the public depositories in a late correspondence with them on thissubject, it is confidently expected that in this state of things theywill cheerfully comply with the above requests and with all others whichhave been made by the Department with a view of improving the currency;nor will it, I trust, be considered unjust or impolitic, while thedeposit banks shall continue to enjoy great privileges from theTreasury, to regard a neglect or refusal by any of them to comply withthose requests as sufficient cause for discontinuing the employment ofsuch banks as fiscal agents. 

At a proper time it will be decided under what circumstances and at whatperiods these restrictions on the agents and officers of the Treasuryshall be extended to notes of any denomination under $20. 

This communication is made with the sanction of the President of theUnited States, and it is hoped that till otherwise prescribed byCongress or by this Department these requirements and requests will befaithfully complied with by all the fiscal agents of this Department andall the collecting and disbursing officers of the Government. 

LEVI WOODBURY, _Secretary of the Treasury_. 

[From Senate Doc. No. 15, Twenty-fourth Congress, second session. ]

CIRCULAR FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY TO RECEIVERS OF PUBLIC MONEYAND TO THE DEPOSIT BANKS. 

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, _July 11, 1836. _

In consequence of complaints which have been made of frauds, speculations, and monopolies in the purchase of the public lands, andthe aid which is said to be given to effect these objects by excessivebank credits and dangerous, if not partial, facilities through bankdrafts and bank deposits, and the general evil influence likely toresult to the public interests, and especially the safety of the greatamount of money in the Treasury, and the sound condition of the currencyof the country from the further exchange of the national domain in thismanner, and chiefly for bank credits and paper money, the President ofthe United States has given directions, and you are hereby instructed, after the 15th day of August next, to receive in payment of the publiclands nothing except what is directed by the existing laws, viz, goldand silver, and in the proper cases Virginia land scrip: _Provided_, That till the 15th of December next the same indulgences heretoforeextended as to the kind of money received may be continued for anyquantity of land not exceeding 320 acres to each purchaser who is anactual settler or _bona fide_ resident in the State where the salesare made. 

In order to insure the faithful execution of these instructions, allreceivers are strictly prohibited from accepting for land sold anydraft, certificate, or other evidence of money or deposit, thoughfor specie, unless signed by the Treasurer of the United States inconformity to the act of April 24, 1820; and each of those officers isrequired to annex to his monthly returns to this Department the amountof gold and of silver, respectively, as well as the bills, receivedunder the foregoing exception; and each deposit bank is required toannex to every certificate given upon a deposit of money the proportionsof it actually paid in gold, in silver, and in bank notes. All formerinstructions on these subjects, except as now modified, will beconsidered as remaining in full force. 

The principal objects of the President in adopting this measure beingto repress alleged frauds and to withhold any countenance or facilitiesin the power of the Government from the monopoly of the public lands inthe hands of speculators and capitalists, to the injury of the actualsettlers in the new States and of emigrants in search of new homes, aswell as to discourage the ruinous extension of bank issues and bankcredits by which those results are generally supposed to be promoted, your utmost vigilance is required and relied on to carry this orderinto complete execution. 

LEVI WOODBURY, _Secretary of the Treasury_. 

[From American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. VII, p. 554. ]

HERMITAGE, _September 7, 1836. _

General J. E. WOOL, _East Tennessee_. 

SIR: Your letter of the 30th ultimo has just been handed to me by Mr. Rogers, the express. Being in a state of preparation for setting out forWashington and surrounded by much company, I have but a moment to replyto it. 

In relation to your observations respecting the apportionment of the10, 000 volunteers, I need not say more here than that the requisition onthe governor of the State was a sufficient guide for the organizationof the part allotted to Tennessee. This requisition was for 2, 500 men, to be raised in two brigades, one in the East and the other in WestTennessee, and there could be no authority to muster more into theservice. The remainder of the 10, 000 had been required from otherStates and Territories. 

I have turned to the letter of the Adjutant-General to which you havecalled my attention. You will find, I think, that it relates to thevolunteers called for agreeably to the requisition on the governor ofTennessee for 2, 500. I can not suppose that it was expected of you toreceive a greater number than this into the service. 

As you have the treaty before you and the instructions of the ActingSecretary of War, I do not see that I can add anything more on thissubject at present. The treaty is to be religiously fulfilled. You mayassure all concerned that no modification or alteration in it will bemade by me. Of this Mr. John Ross is fully advised. His friend, Mr. Standefer, who waited upon me at Washington and made the inquiry whetherI would agree to a supplemental article admitting the Rosses and theirdelegation in as chiefs, was informed that I would not. You willtherefore make known to the Cherokee people that no alteration in thetreaty will be made, but that all its terms and conditions will befaithfully and fully executed. Should you find any evil-disposed whiteman in the nation exciting the Indians not to comply with the treaty, you will forthwith order him or them out of the nation, and if theyrefuse to go, the facts being thoroughly established, you will take thesteps necessary to put them out. Such characters must be considered inthe light of intruders, prohibited by the treaty from living within thelimits of the nation. 

You will caution John Ross from calling any council of the Cherokeepeople with the view of opposing or altering the treaty. He knows thatthere will be no further negotiation on the subject; that the Cherokeesare to emigrate in two years from the ratification of the treaty, andwill be obliged to go within that period; that the collisions betweenthem and the whites have been too long continued for the gratificationof himself at the expense of the poor in the nation. 

I have had a letter from Governor Carroll. He will leave Pontotoc at asearly a moment as he can, and expects to meet Governor Lumpkin early inOctober next. 

With these hasty remarks, I remain, your obedient servant, ANDREW JACKSON. 

[From Congressional Globe, Vol. VII, Appendix, p. 245. ]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, December 7, 1837. _

SIR:[179] In the course of the contest which has commenced in a portionof the territory of Great Britain between portions of the population andthe Government some of our citizens may, from their connection with thesettlers and from their love of enterprise and desire of change, beinduced to forget their duty to their own Government and its obligationsto foreign powers. It is the fixed determination of the Presidentfaithfully to discharge, so far as his power extends, all theobligations of this Government, and that obligation especially whichrequires that we shall abstain under every temptation from intermeddlingwith the domestic disputes of other nations. You are therefore earnestlyenjoined to be attentive to all movements of a hostile charactercontemplated or attempted within your district, and to prosecute withoutdiscrimination all violators of those laws of the United States whichhave been enacted to preserve peace with foreign powers and to fulfillall the obligations of our treaties with them. 

I am, sir, your obedient servant, JOHN FORSYTH. 

[Footnote 179: Sent to the United States attorney at Rockingham, Vt. , and to the district attorneys for the northern district of New York andthe Michigan district. ]

[From Congressional Globe, Vol. VII, Appendix, p. 245. ]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, December 7, 1837. _

His Excellency WILLAM L. MARCY, _Governor of the State of New York. _

SIR: A contest having commenced in a territory of Great Britainadjoining the United States between portions of the population andgovernment, during which attempts may be made to violate the laws of theUnited States passed to preserve the relations of amity with foreignpowers and to fulfill the obligations of our treaties with them, by thedirections of the President I have the honor to request the attentionof your excellency to any movements of that character that may becontemplated in the State of New York and your prompt interference toarrest the parties concerned if any preparations are made of a hostilenature against any foreign power in amity with the United States. 

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, JOHN FORSYTH. 

[Sent also to the governors of Vermont and Michigan. ]

[From House Ex. Doc. No. 163, Fiftieth Congress, first session, p. 6. ]

EXECUTIVE ORDERS TOUCHING DISPOSAL OF FLAGS CAPTURED IN WAR WITH MEXICO. 

DECEMBER 26, 1848. 

Pursuant to the second section of act approved April 18, 1814, directingthat all flags, standards, and colors taken by the Army and Navy of theUnited States from their enemies be preserved and displayed under thedirection of the President of the United States in such public place ashe shall deem proper, the Secretary of War is directed to take measuresto cause the flags, standards, and colors taken by the Army of theUnited States from their enemies in the recent war with Mexico to bedeposited for the purpose specified in the act in the Military Academyat West Point. 

JAMES K. POLK. 

[From official records, War Department. ]

WASHINGTON, _September 11, 1861. _

Major-General JOHN C. FRÉMONT. 

SIR: Yours of the 8th, in answer to mine of the 2d instant, is justreceived. Assuming that you, upon the ground, could better judge of thenecessities of your position than I could at this distance, on seeingyour proclamation of August 30 I perceived no general objection to it. The particular clause, however, in relation to the confiscation ofproperty and the liberation of slaves appeared to me to be objectionablein its nonconformity to the act of Congress passed the 6th of lastAugust upon the same subjects, and hence I wrote you expressing my wishthat that clause should be modified accordingly. Your answer, justreceived, expresses the preference on your part that I should make anopen order for the modification, which I very cheerfully do. It istherefore ordered that the said clause of said proclamation be somodified, held, and construed as to conform to and not to transcend theprovisions on the same subject contained in the act of Congress entitled"An act to confiscate property used for insurrectionary purposes, "approved August 6, 1861, and that said act be published at length withthis order. 

Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN. 

[From McPherson's History of the Rebellion, p. 248. ]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, December 4, 1861. _

Major-General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, _Washington. _

GENERAL: I am directed by the President to call your attention to thefollowing subject:

Persons claimed to be held to service or labor under the laws of theState of Virginia and actually employed in hostile service against theGovernment of the United States frequently escape from the lines of theenemy's forces and are received within the lines of the Army of thePotomac. 

This Department understands that such persons afterwards coming into thecity of Washington are liable to be arrested by the city police upon thepresumption, arising from color, that they are fugitives from service orlabor. 

By the fourth section of the act of Congress approved August 6, 1861, entitled "An act to confiscate property used for insurrectionarypurposes, " such hostile employment is made a full and sufficient answerto any further claim to service or labor. Persons thus employed andescaping are received into the military protection of the UnitedStates, and their arrest as fugitives from service or labor should beimmediately followed by the military arrest of the parties making theseizure. 

Copies of this communication will be sent to the mayor of the city ofWashington and to the marshal of the District of Columbia, that anycollision between the civil and military authorities may be avoided. 

I am, General, your very obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 

[From McPherson's History of the Rebellion, p. 252. ]

WAR DEPARTMENT, _Washington City, July 3, 1862. _

Major-General B. F. BUTLER, _Commanding, etc. , New Orleans, La. _

GENERAL: I wrote you last under date of the 29th ultimo, and have now tosay that your dispatch of the 18th ultimo, with the accompanying reportof General Phelps concerning certain fugitive negroes that have come tohis pickets, has been considered by the President. 

He is of opinion that under the law of Congress they can not be sentback to their master; that in common humanity they must not be permittedto suffer for want of food, shelter, or other necessaries of life; thatto this end they should be provided for by the Quartermaster's andCommissary's departments, and that those who are capable of labor shouldbe set to work and paid reasonable wages. 

In directing this to be done the President does not mean at present tosettle any general rule in respect to slaves or slavery, but simply toprovide for the particular case under the circumstances in which it isnow presented. 

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDWIN M. STANTON, _Secretary of War. _

[From official records, War Department. ]

WASHINGTON, _May 1, 1863. _

Major-General WOOL, _Commanding at New York_:

By virtue of the act of Congress authorizing the President to takepossession of railroad and telegraph lines, etc. , passed February 4, 1862, the President directs that you take immediate military possessionof the telegraph lines lately established between Philadelphia andBoston, called the Independent Telegraph Company, and _forbid_ thetransmission of any intelligence relating to the movements of the Armyof the Potomac or any military forces of the United States. In case thisorder is violated arrest and imprison the perpetrators in Fort Delaware, reporting to the Department. If the management of the line willstipulate to transmit no military intelligence without the sanction ofthe War Department, they need not be interfered with so long as theengagement is fulfilled. This order will be executed so as not tointerfere with the ordinary business of the telegraph company. 

By order of the President:

E. M. STANTON, _Secretary of War. _

[From McPherson's History of the Rebellion, p. 436. ]

Hon. ANDREW JOHNSON, _Military Governor of Tennessee_:

You are hereby authorized to exercise such powers as may be necessaryand proper to enable the loyal people of Tennessee to present such arepublican form of State government as will entitle the State to theguaranty of the United States therefor and to be protected under suchState government by the United States against invasion and domesticviolence, all according to the fourth section of the fourth article ofthe Constitution of the United States. 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 

SEPTEMBER 19, 1863. 

[From official records, War Department. ]

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 329. 

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, _Washington, October 3, 1863. _

Whereas the exigencies of the war require that colored troops should berecruited in the States of Maryland, Missouri, and Tennessee, it is--

_Ordered by the President_, That the chief of the bureau fororganizing colored troops shall establish recruiting stations atconvenient places within said States and give public notice thereof, and be governed by the following regulations:

First. None but able-bodied persons shall be enlisted. 

Second. The State and county in which the enlistments are made shall becredited with the recruits enlisted. 

Third. All persons enlisted into the military service shall foreverthereafter be free. 

Fourth. Free persons, and slaves with the written consent of theirowners, and slaves belonging to those who have been engaged in or givenaid and comfort to the rebellion may be now enlisted, the owners whohave not been engaged in or given aid to the rebellion being entitled toreceive compensation as hereafter provided. 

Fifth. If within thirty days from the date of opening enlistments, notice thereof and of the recruiting stations being published, asufficient number of the description of persons aforesaid to meet theexigencies of the service shall not be enlisted, then enlistments may bemade of slaves without requiring consent of their owners; but they mayreceive compensation as herein provided for owners offering their slavesfor enlistment. 

Sixth. Any citizen of said States who shall offer his or her slave forenlistment into the military service shall if such slave be acceptedreceive from the recruiting officer a certificate thereof and becomeentitled to compensation for the service or labor of said slave, notexceeding the sum of $300, upon filing a valid deed of manumission andof release and making satisfactory proof of title; and the recruitingofficer shall furnish to any claimant a descriptive list of any personenlisted and claimed under oath to be his or her slave, and allow anyoneclaiming under oath that his or her slave has been enlisted without hisor her consent the privilege of inspecting the enlisted men for thepurpose of identification. 

Seventh. A board of three persons shall be appointed by the President, to whom the rolls and recruiting lists shall be furnished for publicinformation, and on demand exhibited to any person claiming that his orher slave has been enlisted against his or her will. 

Eighth. If any person shall within ten days after the filing of saidrolls make a claim for the service of any person so enlisted, the boardshall proceed to examine the proofs of title, and if valid shall awardjust compensation, not exceeding $300, for each slave enlisted belongingto the claimant, and upon the claimant's filing a valid deed ofmanumission and release of service the board shall give the claimant acertificate of the sum awarded, which on presentation shall be paid bythe chief of the bureau. 

Ninth. All enlistments of colored troops in the State of Marylandotherwise than in accordance with these regulations are forbidden. 

Tenth. No person who is or has been engaged in rebellion against theGovernment of the United States, or who in any way has given or shallgive aid or comfort to the enemies of the Government, shall be permittedto present any claim or receive any compensation for the labor orservice of any slave, and all claimants shall file with their claim anoath of allegiance to the United States. 

By order of the President:

E. D. TOWNSEND, _Assistant Adjutant-General. _

[From McPherson's History of Reconstruction, p. 122. ]

WASHINGTON, _March 3, 1865--12 p. M. _

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

The President directs me to say to you that he wishes you to have noconference with General Lee unless it be for the capitulation of GeneralLee's army or on some minor and purely military matter. He instructs meto say that you are not to decide, discuss, or confer upon any politicalquestion. Such questions the President holds in his own hands and willsubmit them to no military conferences or conventions. Meantime you areto press to the utmost your military advantages. 

EDWIN M. STANTON, _Secretary of War_. 

[From McPherson's History of Reconstruction, p. 13. ]

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, _August 16, 1865_. 

O. O. HOWARD, _Major-General, Commissioner Freedmen's Affairs_:

Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Bureau Refugees, Freedmen, etc. The records of this office show that B. B. Leake wasspecially pardoned by the President on the 27th ultimo, and wasthereby restored to all his rights of property except as to slaves. Notwithstanding this, it is understood that the possession of hisproperty is withheld from him. I have therefore to direct that GeneralFisk, assistant commissioner at Nashville, Tenn. , be instructed by theChief Commissioner of Bureau of Freedmen, etc. , to relinquish possessionof the property of Mr. Leake held by him as assistant commissioner, etc. , and that the same be immediately restored to the said Leake. The same action will be had in all similar cases. 

ANDREW JOHNSON, _President United States_. 

[From McPherson's History of Reconstruction, p. 12. ]

CIRCULAR No. 15. 

WAR DEPARTMENT, BUREAU REFUGEES, FREEDMEN, AND ABANDONED LANDS, _Washington, D. C. , September 12, 1865_. 

I. Circular No. 13, of July 28, 1865, from this Bureau, and all portionsof circulars from this Bureau conflicting with the provisions of thiscircular are hereby rescinded. 

II. This Bureau has charge of such "tracts of land within theinsurrectionary States as shall have been abandoned or to which theUnited States shall have acquired title by confiscation or sale orotherwise, " and no such lands now in its possession shall be surrenderedto any claimant except as hereinafter provided. 

III. Abandoned lands are defined in section 2 of the act of Congressapproved July 2, 1864, as lands "the lawful owner whereof shall bevoluntarily absent therefrom and engaged, either in arms or otherwise, in aiding or encouraging the rebellion. "

IV. Land will not be regarded as confiscated until it has been condemnedand sold by decree of the United States court for the district in whichthe property may be found, and the title thereto thus vested in theUnited States. 

V. Upon its appearing satisfactorily to any assistant commissioner thatany property under his control is not abandoned as above defined andthat the United States has acquired no title to it by confiscation, sale, or otherwise, he will formally surrender it to the authorizedclaimant or claimants, promptly reporting his action to theCommissioner. 

VI. Assistant commissioners will prepare accurate descriptions of allconfiscated and abandoned lands under their control, keeping a recordthereof themselves and forwarding monthly to the Commissioner copies ofthese descriptions in the manner prescribed in Circular No. 10, of July11, 1865, from this Bureau. 

They will set apart so much of said lands as is necessary for theimmediate use of loyal refugees and freedmen, being careful to selectfor this purpose those lands which most clearly fall under the controlof this Bureau, which selection must be submitted to the Commissionerfor his approval. 

The specific division of lands so set apart into lots and the rental orsale thereof, according to section 4 of the law establishing the Bureau, will be completed as soon as practicable and reported to theCommissioner. 

VII. Abandoned lands held by this Bureau may be restored to ownerspardoned by the President by the assistant commissioners, to whomapplications for such restoration should be forwarded, so far aspracticable, through the superintendents of the districts in which thelands are situated. 

Each application must be accompanied by--

First. Evidence of special pardon by the President or a copy of the oathof amnesty prescribed in the President's proclamation of May 29, 1865, [180] when the applicant is not included in any of the classestherein excepted from the benefits of said oath. 

Second. Proof of title. 

Officers of the Bureau through whom the application passes will indorsethereon such facts as may assist the assistant commissioner in hisdecision, stating especially the use made by the Bureau of the land. 

VIII. No land under cultivation by loyal refugees or freedmen will berestored under this circular until the crops now growing shall besecured for the benefit of the cultivators unless full and justcompensation be made for their labor and its products and for theirexpenditures. 

O. O. HOWARD, _Major-General, Commissioner_. 

Approved:

ANDREW JOHNSON, _President of the United States_. 

[Footnote 180: See Vol. VI, pp. 310-312. ]

[From McPherson's History of Reconstruction, p. 8. ]

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, _Washington, April 17, 1866_. 

Major-General N. A. MILES, _Commanding, etc. , Fortress Monroe, Va. _:

_Ordered_, That Clement C. Clay, jr. , is hereby released fromconfinement and permitted to return to and remain in the State ofAlabama and to visit such other places in the United States as hispersonal business may render absolutely necessary, upon the followingconditions, viz, that he takes the oath of allegiance to the UnitedStates and gives his parole of honor to conduct himself as a loyalcitizen of the same and to report himself in person at any time andplace to answer any charges that may hereafter be prepared against himby the United States. 

Please report receipt and execution of this order. 

By order of the President of the United States:

E. D. TOWNSEND, _Assistant Adjutant-General_. 

[From McPherson's History of Reconstruction, p. 198. ]

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 46. 

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, _Washington, July 13, 1866_. 

_Ordered_, That all persons who are undergoing sentence by militarycourts and have been imprisoned six months, except those who are undersentence for the crimes of murder, arson, or rape, and excepting thosewho are under sentence at the Tortugas, be discharged from imprisonmentand the residue of their sentence remitted. Those who belong to themilitary service and their term unexpired will be returned to theircommand if it is still in service, and their release is conditional upontheir serving their full term and being of good behavior. 

By order of the President of the United States:

E. D. TOWNSEND, _Assistant Adjutant-General_. 

[From Senate Ex. Doc. No. 82, Forty-ninth Congress, second session, pp. 3-5. ]

Whereas, pursuant to the convention between the United States and Spainfor the adjustment of the question of reclamation arising from thecapture of the _Virginius_, entered into upon the 27th February, 1875, and duly ratified upon the 11th day of March, 1875, the SpanishGovernment engaged to deliver to the United States the sum of $80, 000, or 400, 000 pesetas, for the purpose of the relief of the families ofthose of the ship's company and of such of the passengers as werecitizens of the United States who were executed, and to affordcompensation to such of the ship's company and to such passengers as inlike manner were citizens of the United States who were detained andsuffered loss, excluding from any participation therein all individualsindemnified as British subjects; and

Whereas it was therein further provided that when such amount shouldhave been received the President of the United States would proceed todistribute the same among the parties entitled thereto, in the form andmanner which he may judge most equitable; and

Whereas such amount has been duly paid at Madrid and the proceedsthereof are now in possession of the Government of the United States:

Now, therefore, pursuant to the provisions of article 3 of saidconvention, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, dohereby direct that such amount so received shall be distributed amongthe parties entitled thereto in the following amounts and proportionsand pursuant to the following rules:

I. The amounts allowed are determined with a general reference tothe rates of wages of officers and crew. All of the ship's company(constituting the crew) are to be regarded and considered as Americanseamen; but inasmuch as the British Government has demanded and receivedfrom Spain certain indemnity and promises of further conditionalindemnity for and on account of certain of the crew as being Britishsubjects, those of the crew or passengers who were British subjects, orwho have been claimed as such by the British Government, and for whomthe British Government demanded or received indemnity from Spain, are tobe excluded from the distribution to be made of the indemnity abovereferred to. 

II. Distribution will be made on account of those who were executed asfollows:

For each one (being thirteen in number) of the ship's company rated orserving as fireman, mariner, cook, cabin boy, or otherwise than as oneof the officers or petty officers hereafter mentioned, who was executed, and excluding those referred to above, and also to each passenger whowas executed, being at the time an American citizen, the sum of $2, 500. 

For each assistant engineer, second, third, fourth engineer or thirdmate, 40 per cent in addition to the above sum; that is to say, $3, 500each. 

For the first mate and first engineer, 80 per cent in addition to thesaid above-mentioned sum; that is to say, $4, 500 each. 

For the captain, 150 per cent in addition to the said above-mentionedsum; that is to say, $6, 250. 

III. The several amounts allowed as above are to be paid to the widow, children, parents, or brothers and sisters of the deceased, as follows:

(1) To the widow of the deceased. 

(2) If no widow, to the children of the deceased in equal shares. 

Where such children shall be minors, the same shall be paid to a legallyappointed guardian. 

(3) If no children, then to the father; if no father, to the mother. 

(4) If no father or mother, then to the brothers and sisters in equalshares. 

(5) If the deceased shall have left no widow, child, parent, brother, orsister, no amount is to be paid on his account. 

There shall be allowed to each of the ship's company and to such of thepassengers as were citizens of the United States who were detained andsuffered loss, to be paid on the conditions hereinafter provided, asfollows:

To each of the ship's crew who was under the age of 21 years at the timeof the capture, or who was reported at the time as under that age, andto each passenger who was an American citizen, the sum of $250. 

To each of the ship's crew who was over the age of 21 years, and who wasrated as being a fireman, mariner, cook, cabin boy, or otherwise than asone of the officers or petty officers hereafter mentioned, 40 per centin addition to the above-allowed sum; that is to say, $350 each. 

To any engineer, second or other assistant engineer, mate, purser, assistant purser, or surgeon, 86 per cent in addition to theabove-allowed sum; that is to say, $450 to each. 

In case any of such persons so entitled to payment shall have died, suchamount shall be paid to the family of the deceased as provided inArticle III. 

IV. The proofs as to all the necessary facts in each case, includingidentity, relationship, and citizenship, shall be made to thesatisfaction of the Department of State as a condition of payment, and anaturalized citizen, where proof of citizenship is necessary, shallproduce his certificate of naturalization and furnish satisfactoryproof, if required, as to residence and his right, to such certificate. 

V. Payments will be made to the parties entitled thereto through theDepartment of State, or in checks to their order, and will not be madeto attorneys. 

VI. Prior to any payment being made the party entitled thereto shallsign and duly acknowledge before some competent officer a receipt andrelease, stating that the sum so paid is received in full satisfactionof any claim or reclamations of any sort which may exist or which mightbe advanced against the Spanish Government by reason of the capture ofthe _Virginius_ or the acts of the Spanish authorities connectedtherewith. 

VII. Should any further order or direction be required, the same willhereafter be made as an addition hereto. 

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at the city ofWashington, this 21st day of July, A. D. 1875, and of the Independence ofthe United States of America the one hundredth. 

U. S. GRANT. 

[From Letters and Messages of Rutherford B. Hayes, pp. 19-22. ]

WASHINGTON, _April 2, 1877_. 

The Honorables CHARLES B. LAWRENCE, JOSEPH R. HAWLEY, JOHN M. HARLAN, JOHN C. BROWN, AND WAYNE MACVEAGH, _Commissioners_. 

GENTLEMEN: I am instructed by the President to lay before you someobservations upon the occasion and objects which have led him to inviteyou as members of the commission about to visit the State of Louisianato undertake this public service. 

Upon assuming his office the President finds the situation of affairs inLouisiana such as to justly demand his prompt and solicitous attention, for this situation presents as one of its features the apparentintervention of the military power of the United States in the domesticcontroversies which unhappily divide the opinions and disturb theharmony of the people of that State. This intervention, arising duringthe term and by the authority of his predecessor, throws no present dutyupon the President except to examine and determine the real extent andform and effect to which such intervention actually exists, and todecide as to the time, manner, and conditions which should be observedin putting an end to it. It is in aid of his intelligent and promptdischarge of this duty that the President has sought the service of thiscommission to supply by means of its examination, conducted in the Stateof Louisiana, some information that may be pertinent to thecircumspection and security of any measure he may resolve upon. 

It will be readily understood that the service desired of and intrustedto this commission does not include any examination into or report uponthe facts of the recent State election or of the canvass of the votescast at such election. So far as attention to these subjects may benecessary the President can not but feel that the reports of thecommittees of the two Houses of Congress and other public information athand will dispense with and should preclude any original exploration bythe commission of that field of inquiry. 

But it is most pertinent and important in coming to a decision upon theprecise question of Executive duty before him that the President shouldknow what are the real impediments to regular, legal, and peacefulprocedures under the laws and constitution of the State of Louisiana bywhich the anomalies in government there presented may be put in courseof settlement without involving the element of military power as eitheran agent or a makeweight in such solution. The successful ascertainmentof these impediments the President would confidently expect wouldindicate to the people of that State the wisdom and the mode of theirremoval. The unusual circumstances which attended and followed the Stateelection and canvass, from its relation to the excited feelings andinterests of the Presidential election, may have retarded within theState of Louisiana the persuasive influences by which the great socialand material interests common to the whole people of a State, and thepride of the American character as a law-abiding nation, amelioratethe disappointments and dissolve the resentments of close and zealouspolitical contests. But the President both hopes and believes that thegreat body of the people of Louisiana are now prepared to treat theunsettled results of their State election with a calm and conciliatoryspirit. If it be too much to expect a complete concurrence in a singlegovernment for that State, at least the President may anticipate asubmission to the peaceful resources of the laws and the constitution ofthe State of all their discussions, at once relieving themselves fromthe reproach and their fellow-citizens of the United States from theanxieties which must ever attend a prolonged dispute as to the title andthe administration of the government of one of the States of the Union. 

The President therefore desires that you should devote your first andprincipal attention to a removal of the obstacles to an acknowledgmentof one government for the purpose of an exercise of authority withinthe State and a representation of the State in its relations to theGeneral Government under section 4 of Article IV of the Constitutionof the United States, leaving, if necessary, to judicial or otherconstitutional arbitrament within the State the question of ultimateright. If these obstacles should prove insuperable, from whateverreason, and the hope of a single government in all its departmentsbe disappointed, it should be your next endeavor to accomplish therecognition of a single legislature as the depositary of therepresentative will of the people of Louisiana. This great department ofgovernment rescued from dispute, the rest of the problem could graduallybe worked out by the prevalent authority which the legislative power, when undisputed, is quite competent to exert in composing conflict inthe coordinate branches of the government. 

An attentive consideration of the conditions under which the FederalConstitution and the acts of Congress provide or permit militaryintervention by the President in protection of a State against domesticviolence has satisfied the President that the use of this authority indetermining or influencing disputed elections in a State is mostcarefully to be avoided. Undoubtedly, as was held by the Supreme Courtin the case of Luther _vs. _ Borden, the appeal from a State mayinvolve such an inquiry as to the lawfulness of the authority whichinvokes the interference of the President in supposed pursuance of theConstitution; but it is equally true that neither the constitutionalprovision nor the acts of Congress were framed with any such design. Both obviously treated the case of domestic violence within a State asof outbreak against law and the authority of established governmentwhich the State was unable to suppress by its own strength. A casewherein every department of the State government has a disputedrepresentation, and a State therefore furnishes to the FederalGovernment no internal political recognition of authority upon which theFederal Executive can rely, will present a case of so much difficultythat it is of pressing importance to all interests in Louisiana thatit should be avoided. A single legislature would greatly relieve thisdifficulty, for that department of the State government is named by theConstitution as the necessary applicant, when it can be convened, formilitary intervention by the United States. 

If, therefore, the disputing interests can concur in or be reduced to asingle legislature for the State of Louisiana, it would be a great stepin composing this unhappy strife. 

The President leaves entirely to the commission the conciliatoryinfluences which, in their judgment formed on the spot, may seem toconduce to the proposed end. His own determination that only publicconsiderations should inspire and attend this effort to give theascendency in Louisiana to the things that belong to peace is evincedby his selection of commissioners who offer to the country in theirown character every guaranty of the public motives and methods of thetransactions which they have undertaken. Your report of the result ofthis endeavor will satisfy the President, he does not doubt, of thewisdom of his selection of and of his plenary trust in the commission. 

A second and less important subject of attention during your visitto New Orleans will be the collection of accurate and trustworthyinformation from the public officers and prominent citizens of allpolitical connections as to the state of public feeling and opinion inthe community at large upon the general questions which affect thepeaceful and safe exercise within the State of Louisiana of all legaland political rights and the protection of all legal and politicalprivileges conferred by the Constitution of the United States upon allcitizens. The maintenance and protection of these rights and privilegesby all constitutional means and by every just, moral, and socialinfluence are the settled purpose of the President in his administrationof the Government. He will hope to learn from your investigations thatthis purpose will be aided and not resisted by the substantial andeffective public opinion of the great body of the people of Louisiana. 

The President does not wish to impose any limit upon your stay inLouisiana that would tend to defeat the full objects of your visit. Heis, however, extremely desirous to find it in his power at the earliestday compatible with a safe exercise of that authority to put an end toeven the appearance of military intervention in the domestic affairs ofLouisiana, and he awaits your return with a confident hope that yourreport will enable him promptly to execute a purpose he has so much atheart. 

The President desires me to add that the publication of the results ofyour visit he shall hope to make immediately after their communicationto him. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, WM. M. EVARTS. 

[From Letters and Messages of Rutherford B. Hayes, p. 25. ]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 20, 1877_. 

Hon. GEO. W. McCRARY, _Secretary of War_. 

SIR: Prior to my entering upon the duties of the Presidency there hadbeen stationed, by order of my predecessor, in the immediate vicinityof the building used as a statehouse in New Orleans, La. , and known asMechanics' Institute, a detachment of United States infantry. Findingthem in that place, I have thought proper to delay a decision of thequestion of their removal until I could determine whether the conditionof affairs is now such as to either require or justify continuedmilitary intervention of the National Government in the affairs ofthe State. 

In my opinion there does not now exist in Louisiana such domesticviolence as is contemplated by the Constitution as the ground upon whichthe military power of the National Government may be invoked for thedefense of the State. The disputes which exist as to the right ofcertain claimants to the chief executive office of that State are to besettled and determined, not by the Executive of the United States, butby such orderly and peaceable methods as may be provided by theconstitution and the laws of the State. 

Having the assurance that no resort to violence is contemplated, but, onthe contrary, the disputes in question are to be settled by peacefulmethods under and in accordance with law, I deem it proper to takeaction in accordance with the principles announced when I entered uponthe duties of the Presidency. 

You are therefore directed to see that the proper orders are issued forthe removal of said troops at an early date from their present positionto such regular barracks in the vicinity as may be selected for theiroccupation. 

R. B. HAYES. 

EXPLANATORY NOTES TO SPECIAL MESSAGES, VOLUMES I AND II. 

Message of February 8, 1792, Vol. I, p. 116: Transmitting an account ofJohn B. Cutting for expenditures incurred in liberating seamen of theUnited States in British ports during the impressments by the BritishGovernment in 1790. 

Message of February 7, 1794, Vol. I, p. 151: Extraordinary commission ofGuadaloupe apply to Congress for aid in men, provisions, and ammunition. 

Message of March 18, 1794, Vol. I, p. 152: Transmitting an applicationby the minister of France for an advance of $1, 000, 000 on account of thedebt due by the United States, correspondence between the Secretary ofState and the minister of France relative thereto, etc. 

Message of February 4, 1795, Vol. I, p. 175: Transmitting letters fromthe Secretaries of State and the Treasury concerning the negotiation ofa loan in Holland. 

Message of January 5, 1798, Vol. I, p. 260: Transmitting a report ofthe Secretary of War stating that the five clerks in his office wereinsufficient to transact the business and asking a larger appropriationto enable him to increase the number. 

Message of March 5, 1798, Vol. I, pp. 263-264: Transmitting a messageof the Executive Directory of France to the Council of Five Hundred anddecree of that council of January 11, 1798, declaring neutral vesselsladen with English merchandise lawful prize. 

Message of January 28, 1799, Vol. I, pp. 281-282: Edict declaring that"every individual, native of friendly countries allied to the FrenchRepublic, or neutral, bearing a commission granted by the enemies ofFrance or making part of the crews of ships of war, and others, enemies, shall be by this single fact declared a pirate and treated as suchwithout being permitted in any case to allege that he had been forcedinto such service by violence, threats, or otherwise. "

Message of January 13, 1800, Vol. I, p. 301: Relating to the MilitaryAcademy and the reorganization of the Army. 

Message of January 14, 1800, Vol. I, pp. 301-302: Letter from JohnRandolph, jr. , demanding that certain officers of the Army or Navy bepunished for grossly and publicly insulting him for advocating in theHouse of Representatives a reduction of the military establishment. 

Message of April 20, 1802, Vol. I, p. 341: Relating to spoliationscommitted on the commerce of the United States under Spanish authorityand to the imprisonment of the American consul at St. Jago de Cuba. 

Message of December 22, 1802, Vol. I, p. 346: Transmitting lettersfrom the governors of the Mississippi Territory and of Kentucky, etc. , relative to the prohibition by authorities of Spain to land Americancargoes at New Orleans, in violation of treaty rights. 

Message of December 31, 1804, Vol. I, p. 375: Relating to thebombardment of Tripoli, vessels engaged, number of men, etc. 

Message of December 30, 1808, Vol. I, p. 458: Resolutions of thelegislature of Pennsylvania expressing confidence in the GeneralGovernment in its attitude toward foreign powers, indorsing the embargoas a wise measure, etc. 

Message of June 4, 1809, Vol. I, p. 471: Transmitting resolutions of thePennsylvania assembly protesting against the decision of the SupremeCourt in the case of Gideon Olmstead. 

Message of December 16, 1809, Vol. I, p. 478: Transmitting documentsconnected with the arrangement between D. M. Erskine, ministerplenipotentiary of Great Britain, and the Secretary of State of theUnited States, making reparation for the attack on the _Chesapeake_and providing for the suspension of the embargo and nonintercourse lawsand the withdrawal of the orders in council, etc. 

Message of January 31, 1811, Vol. I, p. 489: Transmitting documentsrelative to negotiations with France for the repeal of decrees violatingthe neutral commerce of the United States, etc. 

Message of December 27, 1811, Vol. I, p. 497: Transmitting resolutionsof the legislature of Pennsylvania expressing confidence in the wisdom, patriotism, and firmness of the President and Congress relative toaffairs with Great Britain and pledging support in case of an appealto arms. 

Message of September 26, 1814, Vol. I, p. 551: Transmittingcorrespondence relative to an order of the British admiral, Alex. Cochrane, "to destroy and lay waste such towns and districts upon thecoast as may be found assailable, " in retaliation for acts of the UnitedStates Army in Upper Canada. 

Message of February 5, 1821, Vol. II, p. 83: Transmitting correspondencewith Great Britain relative to the commercial relations between theUnited States and the British colonies in the West Indies and in NorthAmerica, etc. 

Message of February 3, 1823, Vol. II, p. 200: Transmitting a memorialof the legislative council of Florida relative to the expediency andnecessity for further legislative provision for the government andimprovement of Florida. 

Message of February 17, 1825, Vol. II, p. 284: Transmittingcorrespondence with France relative to the interpretation of the eightharticle of the treaty for the cession of Louisiana.