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diff --git a/14584-0.txt b/14584-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..987111d --- /dev/null +++ b/14584-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8399 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14584 *** + +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, of +compiling all the official papers of the Presidents. Instead of finding +it 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 great +portion 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., who +prepared it with such assistance as I could give him. He has given +his entire time to it for three years. Every reference in it has been +examined and compared with the text by myself. We have endeavored +to make it full, accurate, and comprehensive, with numerous cross +references. There will be found in this Index a large number of +encyclopedic articles, which are intended, in part at least, to furnish +the reader definitions of politico-historical words and phrases +occurring in the papers of the Chief Magistrates, or to develop more +fully questions or subjects to which only indirect reference is made or +which are but briefly discussed by them. There will also be found short +accounts of several hundred battles in which the armies of the United +States have been engaged; also descriptions of all the States of the +Union and of many foreign countries. We have striven earnestly to make +these encyclopedic articles historically correct, and to this end have +carefully compared them with the most eminent authorities. This feature +was not within the scope of the work as contemplated when the resolution +authorizing the compilation was passed, nor when the act was passed +requiring the preparation of the Index; but with the approval of the +Joint Committee on Printing I have inserted the articles, believing that +they would be of interest. They contain facts and valuable information +not always easily accessible, and it is hoped that they will serve to +familiarize the young men of the country who read them with its history +and its trials and make of them better citizens and more devoted lovers +of our free institutions. There has been no effort or inclination on my +part to give partisan bias or political coloring of any nature to these +articles. On the other hand, I have sought only to furnish reliable +historical data and well-authenticated definitions and to avoid even the +appearance of an expression of my own opinion. It is proper to add that +these articles have all been read and approved by Mr. A.R. Spofford, +Chief Assistant Librarian of Congress, to whom I now make acknowledgment +of my indebtedness. + +In pursuance of the plan originally adopted certain papers were +omitted from the earlier volumes of this work. Referring to these +papers, the following statement occurs in the Prefatory Note to Volume +I: "In executing the commission with which I have been charged I have +sought to bring together in the several volumes of the series all +Presidential proclamations, addresses, messages, and communications to +Congress excepting those nominating persons to office and those which +simply transmit treaties, and reports of heads of Departments which +contain no recommendation from the Executive." In the Prefatory Note to +Volume IX the statement was made that this course was a mistake, and +"that the work to be exhaustive should comprise every message of the +Presidents transmitting reports of heads of Departments and other +communications, no matter how brief or unintelligible the papers were in +themselves, and that to make them intelligible I should insert editorial +footnotes explaining them. Having acted upon the other idea in making up +Volume I and a portion of Volume II, quite a number of such brief papers +were intentionally omitted. Being convinced that all the papers of the +Executives should be inserted, the plan was modified accordingly, and +the endeavor was thereafter made to publish all of them. In order, +however, that the compilation maybe 'accurate and exhaustive,' I have +gone back and collected all the papers--those which should have appeared +in Volumes I and II as well as such as were unintentionally omitted from +the succeeding volumes--excepting those simply making nominations, and +shall publish them in an appendix in the last volume." These omitted +papers, with editorial footnotes, have been inserted in the Appendix, +and appear in the Index in alphabetical order, so that no serious +inconvenience will result to the reader. + +The compilation properly closed with President Cleveland's second +Administration, March 4, 1897, but as the Spanish-American War excited +great interest I determined, after conferring with the Joint Committee +on Printing, to publish the official papers of President McKinley which +relate 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. Without +his valuable assistance in searching for and obtaining the various +papers and his painstaking care in the verification of data the work +would not have been so complete. Mr. Charles T. Hendler, of the State +Branch of the Government Printing Office, rendered timely aid in +procuring 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, and +words of praise for it have come from all classes and callings. Those +who possess it may be assured that they have in their libraries all the +official utterances of the Presidents of the United States from 1789 to +1897 that could possibly be found after the most diligent search, and +that these utterances are not to be found complete in any other +publication. + +I close by quoting from the Prefatory Note to Volume I: "If my work +shall prove satisfactory to Congress and the country, I will feel +compensated 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 state +of facts, with the questions thereto annexed, for their advice and +consent: + +"To conciliate the powerful tribes of Indians in the southern district, +amounting probably to 14,000 fighting men, and to attach them firmly to +the United States, may be regarded as highly worthy of the serious +attention of Government. + +"The measure includes not only peace and security to the whole southern +frontier, but is calculated to form a barrier against the colonies of a +European power which in the mutations of policy may one day become the +enemy of the United States. The fate of the Southern States, therefore, +or the neighboring colonies may principally depend on the present +measures of the Union toward the southern Indians. + +"By the papers which have been laid before the Senate it will appear +that in the latter end of the year 1785 and the beginning of 1786 +treaties were formed by the United States with the Cherokees, the +Chickesaws, and Choctaws. The report of the commissioners will show the +reasons 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 and +Georgia protested against said treaties as infringing their legislative +rights and being contrary to the Confederation. It will further appear +by the said papers that the treaty with the Cherokees has been entirely +violated by the disorderly white people on the frontiers of North +Carolina. + +"The opinion of the late Congress respecting the said violation will +sufficiently appear by the proclamation which they caused to be issued +on the 1st of September, 1788. + +"By the public newspapers it appears that on the 16th of June last a +truce was concluded with the Cherokees by Mr. John Steele on behalf of +the State of North Carolina, in which it was stipulated that a treaty +should be held as soon as possible and that in the meantime all +hostilities should cease on either side. + +"As the Cherokees reside principally within the territory claimed by +North Carolina, and as that State is not a member of the present Union, +it may be doubted whether any efficient measures in favor of the +Cherokees could be immediately adopted by the General Government. + +"The commissioners for negotiating with the southern Indians may be +instructed to transmit a message to the Cherokees, stating to them as +far as may be proper the difficulties arising from the local claims of +North Carolina, and to assure them that the United States are not +unmindful of the treaty at Hopewell, and as soon as the difficulties +which are at present opposed to the measure shall be removed the +Government will do full justice to the Cherokees. + +"The distance of the Choctaws and Chickesaws from the frontier +settlements seems to have prevented those tribes from being involved in +similar difficulties with the Cherokees. + +"The commissioners may be instructed to transmit messages to the said +tribes containing assurances of the continuance of the friendship of the +United States and that measures will soon be taken for extending a trade +to them agreeably to the treaties of Hopewell. The commissioners may +also be directed to report a plan for the execution of the said treaties +respecting trade. + +"But the case of the Creek Nation is of the highest importance and +requires an immediate decision. The cause of the hostilities between +Georgia and the Creeks is stated to be a difference in judgment +concerning three treaties made between the said parties, to wit, at +Augusta in 1783, at Galphinton in 1785, and at Shoulderbone in 1786. +The State of Georgia asserts and the Creeks deny the validity of the +said treaties. + +"Hence arises the indispensable necessity of having all the +circumstances respecting the said treaties critically investigated by +commissioners of the United States, so that the further measures of +Government may be formed on a full knowledge of the case. + +"In order that the investigation may be conducted with the highest +impartiality, it will be proper, in addition to the evidence of the +documents in the public possession, that Georgia should be represented +at this part of the proposed treaty with the Creek Nation. + +"It is, however, to be observed, in any issue of the inquiry, that it +would be highly embarrassing to Georgia to relinquish that part of the +lands stated to have been ceded by the Creeks lying between the Ogeeche +and Oconee rivers, that State having surveyed and divided the same among +certain descriptions of its citizens, who settled and planted thereon +until dispossessed by the Indians. + +"In case, therefore, the issue of the investigation should be +unfavorable to the claims of Georgia, the commissioners should be +instructed to use their best endeavors to negotiate with the Creeks +a solemn conveyance of the said lands to Georgia. + +"By the report of the commissioners who were appointed under certain +acts of the late Congress by South Carolina and Georgia it appears that +they have agreed to meet the Creeks on the 15th of September ensuing. +As it is with great difficulty the Indians are collected together at +certain seasons of the year, it is important that the above occasion +should be embraced if possible on the part of the present Government +to form a treaty with the Creeks. As the proposed treaty is of great +importance to the future tranquillity of the State of Georgia as well +as of the United States, it has been thought proper that it should be +conducted on the part of the General Government by Commissioners whose +local situations may free them from the imputation of prejudice on this +subject. + +"As it is necessary that certain principles should be fixed previously +to forming instructions for the commissioners, the following questions +arising out of the foregoing communications are stated by the President +of the United States and the advice of the Senate requested thereon: + +"First. In the present state of affairs between North Carolina and +the United States will it be proper to take any other measures for +redressing the injuries of the Cherokees than the one herein suggested? + +"Second. Shall the commissioners be instructed to pursue any other +measures respecting the Chickesaws and Choctaws than those herein +suggested? + +"Third. If the commissioners shall adjudge that the Creek Nation was +fully represented at the three treaties with Georgia, and that the +cessions of land were obtained with the full understanding and free +consent of the acknowledged proprietors, and that the said treaties +ought to be considered as just and equitable, in this case shall +the commissioners be instructed to insist on a formal renewal and +confirmation thereof, and in case of a refusal shall they be instructed +to inform the Creeks that the arms of the Union shall be employed to +compel them to acknowledge the justice of the said cessions? + +"Fourth. But if the commissioners shall adjudge that the said treaties +were formed with an inadequate or unauthorized representation of the +Creek Nation, or that the treaties were held under circumstances of +constraint or unfairness of any sort, so that the United States could +not with justice and dignity request or urge a confirmation thereof, +in this case shall the commissioners, considering the importance of the +Oconee lands to Georgia, be instructed to use their highest exertions +to obtain a cession of said lands? If so, shall the commissioners be +instructed, if they can not obtain the said cessions on better terms, +to offer for the same and for the further great object of attaching the +Creeks 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 period +which shall be fixed, or in failure thereof by the United States. + +"Second. A secure port on the Altamaha or St. Marys rivers, or at any +other place between the same as may be mutually agreed to by the +commissioners and the Creeks. + +"Third. Certain pecuniary considerations to some and honorary military +distinctions to other influential chiefs on their taking oaths of +allegiance to the United States. + +"Fourth. A solemn guaranty by the United States to the Creeks of their +remaining territory, and to maintain the same, if necessary, by a line +of military posts. + +"Fifth. But if all offers should fail to induce the Creeks to make +the desired cessions to Georgia, shall the commissioners make it an +ultimatum? + +"Sixth. If the said cessions shall not be made an ultimatum, shall the +commissioners proceed and make a treaty and include the disputed lands +within the limits which shall be assigned to the Creeks? If not, shall a +temporary boundary be marked making the Oconee the line, and the other +parts of the treaty be concluded? In this case shall a secure port be +stipulated and the pecuniary and honorary considerations granted? In +other general objects shall the treaties formed at Hopewell with the +Cherokees, Chickesaws, and Choctaws be the basis of a treaty with the +Creeks? + +"Seventh. Shall the sum of $20,000 appropriated to Indian expenses and +treaties 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 North +Carolina and the United States will it be proper to take any other +measures for redressing the injuries of the Cherokees than the one +herein suggested?" was, at the request of the President of the United +States, postponed. + +The second question, viz, "Shall the commissioners be instructed to +pursue any other measures respecting the Chickesaws and Choctaws than +those herein suggested?" being put, was answered in the negative. + +The consideration of the remaining questions was postponed till Monday +next. + + + +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, and +questions thereto annexed, laid before them by the President of the +United States on Saturday last; and the first question, viz, "In the +present state of affairs between North Carolina and the United States +will it be proper to take any other measures for redressing the injuries +of the Cherokees than the one herein suggested?" being put, was answered +in the negative. + +The third question, viz, "If the commissioners shall adjudge that the +Creek Nation was fully represented at the three treaties with Georgia, +and that the cessions of land Were obtained with the full understanding +and free consent of the acknowledged proprietors, and that the said +treaties ought to be considered as just and equitable, in this case +shall the commissioners be instructed to insist on a formal renewal and +confirmation thereof, and in case of a refusal shall they be instructed +to inform the Creeks that the arms of the Union shall be employed to +compel them to acknowledge the justice of the said cessions?" was wholly +answered in the affirmative. + +The fourth question and its four subdivisions, "But if the commissioners +shall adjudge that the said treaties were formed with an inadequate or +unauthorized representation of the Creek Nation, or that the treaties +were held under circumstances of constraint or unfairness of any sort, +so that the United States could not with justice and dignity request or +urge a confirmation thereof, in this case shall the commissioners, +considering the importance of the Oconee lands to Georgia, be instructed +to use their highest exertions to obtain a cession of said lands? If so, +shall the commissioners be instructed, if they can not obtain the said +cessions on better terms, to offer for the same and for the further +great object of attaching the Creeks 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 period which shall be fixed, or in failure +thereof by the United States. Second. A secure port on the Altamaha or +on St. Marys River, or at any other place between the same as may be +mutually agreed to by the commissioners and the Creeks. Third. Certain +pecuniary considerations to some and honorary military distinctions to +other influential chiefs on their taking oaths of allegiance to the +United States. Fourth. A solemn guaranty by the United States to the +Creeks of their remaining territory, and to maintain the same, if +necessary, by a line of military posts," was wholly answered in the +affirmative. The blank to be filled at the discretion of the President +of the United States. + +The fifth question, viz, "But if all offers should fail to induce the +Creeks to make the desired cessions to Georgia, shall the commissioners +make 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 the +commissioners proceed and make a treaty and include the disputed lands +within the limits which shall be assigned to the Creeks?" was answered +in the negative. + +The remainder, viz: "If not, shall a temporary boundary be marked making +the Oconee the line, and the other parts of the treaty be concluded?" + +"In this case shall a secure port be stipulated and the pecuniary and +honorary considerations granted?" + +"Is other general objects shall the treaties formed at Hopewell with the +Cherokees, Chickesaws, and Choctaws be the basis of a treaty with the +Creeks?" were all answered in the affirmative. + +On the seventh question, viz, "Shall the sum of $20,000 appropriated +to Indian expenses and treaties be wholly applied, if necessary, to +a treaty with the Creeks? If not, what proportion?" it was agreed to +advise and consent to appropriate the whole sum, if necessary, at the +discretion of the President of the United States. + +The President of the United States withdrew from the Senate Chamber, and +the Vice-President put the question of adjournment, to which the Senate +agreed. + + + +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 governor +of Rhode Island at the request and in behalf of the general assembly of +that State, addressed to the President, the Senate, and the House of +Representatives of the eleven United States of America in Congress +assembled, I take the earliest opportunity of laying a copy of it before +you. + +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 the +Eleven United States of America in Congress assembled_: + +The critical situation in which the people of this State are placed +engage us to make these assurances on their behalf of their attachment +and friendship to their sister States and of their disposition to +cultivate mutual harmony and friendly intercourse. They know themselves +to be a handful, comparatively viewed; and although they now stand, as +it were, alone, they have not separated themselves or departed from the +principles of that Confederation which was formed by the sister States +in their struggle for freedom and in the hour of danger. They seek by +this memorial to call to your remembrance the hazards which we have run, +the hardships we have endured, the treasure we have spent, and the blood +we have lost together in one common cause, and especially the object +we had in view--the preservation of our liberty; wherein, ability +considered, they may truly say they were equal in exertions with the +foremost, the effects whereof, in great embarrassments and other +distresses consequent thereon, we have since experienced with severity; +which common sufferings and common danger we hope and trust yet form a +bond of union and friendship not easily to be broken. + +Our not having acceded to or adopted the new system of government formed +and adopted by most of our sister States we doubt not have given +uneasiness to them. That we have not seen our way clear to do it +consistent with our idea of the principles upon which we all embarked +together has also given pain to us. We have not doubted but we might +thereby avoid present difficulties, but we have apprehended future +mischief. The people of this State from its first settlement have been +accustomed and strongly attached to a democratical form of government. +They have viewed in the Constitution an approach, though perhaps but +small, toward that form of government from which we have lately +dissolved our connection at so much hazard and expense of life and +treasure; they have seen with pleasure the administration thereof from +the most important trust downward committed to men who have highly +merited and in whom the people of the United States place unbounded +confidence. Yet even in this circumstance, in itself so fortunate, they +have apprehended danger by way of precedent. Can it be thought strange, +then, that with these impressions they should wait to see the proposed +system organized and in operation, to see what further checks and +securities would be agreed to and established, by way of amendments, +before they could adopt it as a constitution of government for +themselves and their posterity? These amendments, we believe, have +already afforded some relief and satisfaction to the minds of the people +of this State, and we earnestly look for the time when they may with +clearness and safety be again united with their sister States under a +constitution and form of government so well poised as neither to need +alteration or be liable thereto by a majority only of nine States out of +thirteen--a circumstance which may possibly take place against the sense +of a majority of the people of the United States. We are sensible of the +extremes to which democratical government is sometimes liable, something +of which we have lately experienced; but we esteem them temporary and +partial evils compared with the loss of liberty and the rights of a free +people. Neither do we apprehend they will be marked with severity by our +sister States when it is considered that during the late trouble the +whole United States, notwithstanding their joint wisdom and efforts, +fell into the like misfortune; that from our extraordinary exertions +this State was left in a situation nearly as embarrassing as that +during the war; that in the measures which were adopted government +unfortunately had not that aid and support from the moneyed interest +which our sister States of New York and the Carolinas experienced under +similar circumstances; and especially when it is considered that upon +some abatement of that fermentation in the minds of the people which is +so common in the collision of sentiments and of parties a disposition +appears to provide a remedy for the difficulties we have labored under +on that account. We are induced to hope that we shall not be altogether +considered as foreigners having no particular affinity or connection +with the United States, but that trade and commerce, upon which the +prosperity of this State much depends, will be preserved as free and +open between this and the United States as our different situations at +present can possibly admit; earnestly desiring and proposing to adopt +such commercial regulations on our part as shall not tend to defeat the +collection of the revenue of the United States, but rather to act in +conformity to or cooperate therewith, and desiring also to give the +strongest assurances that we shall during our present situation use our +utmost endeavors to be in preparation from time to time to answer our +proportion of such part of the interest or principal of the foreign and +domestic debt as the United States shall judge expedient to pay and +discharge. + +We feel ourselves attached by the strongest ties of friendship, kindred, +and of interest with our sister States, and we can not without the +greatest reluctance look to any other quarter for those advantages of +commercial intercourse which we conceive to be more natural and +reciprocal between them and us. + +I am, at the request and in behalf of the general assembly, your most +obedient, 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 the +National Government there were some who declined serving. Their names +and offices are specified in the first column of the foregoing list.[2] +I supplied these vacancies, agreeably to the Constitution, by temporary +appointments, which you will find mentioned in the second column of the +list. These appointments will expire with your present session, and, +indeed, ought not to endure longer than until others can be regularly +made. For that purpose I now nominate to you the persons named in the +third column of the list as being, in my opinion, qualified to fill the +offices 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 directed +against certain Indians northwest of the Ohio, I embrace the earliest +opportunity of laying before you the official communications which have +been received upon that subject. + +Go. WASHINGTON. + + + +[The following was transmitted with the message of January 26, 1791 (see +Vol. 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 Benjamin +Franklin, your fellow-citizen, your friend, and one of the most useful +of your cooperators in the establishment of American liberty. They +charge me to communicate their resolution to the Congress of the United +States. In consequence I have the honor to address to you, Mr. +President, the extract from the proceedings of their session of the 11th +which contains the deliberations. + +The National Assembly have not been stopped in their decree by the +consideration that Franklin was a stranger. Great men are the fathers of +universal humanity; their loss ought to be felt as a common misfortune +by all the tribes of the great human family; and it belongs without +doubt to a nation still affected by all the sentiments which accompany +the achievement of their liberty, and which owes its enfranchisement +essentially to the progress of the public reason, to be the first to +give the example of the filial gratitude of the people toward their true +benefactors. Besides that, these ideas and this example are so proper to +disseminate a happy emulation of patriotism, and thus to extend more and +more the empire of reason and virtue, which could not fail promptly to +determine a body devoted to the most important legislative combinations. +Charged with assuring to the French the rights of men and citizens, it +has believed without doubt that fruitful and great truths were likewise +numbered among the rights of man. + +The name of Benjamin Franklin will be immortal in the records of freedom +and philosophy, but it is more particularly dear to a country where, +conducted by the most sublime mission, this venerable man grew very +soon to acquire an infinite number of friends and admirers as well by +the simplicity and sweetness of his manners as by the purity of his +principles, the extent of his knowledge, and the charms of his mind. + +It will be remembered that every success which he obtained in his +important 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 our +souls. It was easily perceived that it feelingly mingled in the interest +which we took in America and in the public vows which we preferred for +your liberty. + +At last the hour of the French has arrived. We love to think that the +citizens of the United States have not regarded with indifference our +steps toward liberty. Twenty-six millions of men breaking their chains +and seriously occupied in giving themselves a durable constitution are +not unworthy the esteem of a generous people who have preceded them in +that noble career. + +We hope they will learn with interest the funeral homage which we +have rendered the Nestor of America. May this solemn act of fraternal +friendship serve more and more to bind the tie which ought to unite two +free nations. May the common enjoyment of liberty shed itself over the +whole globe and become an indissoluble chain of connection among all +the people of the earth. For ought they not to perceive that they will +march more steadfastly and more certainly to their true happiness in +understanding and loving each other than in being jealous and fighting? + +May the Congress of the United States and the National Assembly of +France be the first to furnish this fine spectacle to the world! And +may the individuals of the two nations connect themselves by a mutual +affection worthy of the friendship which unites the two men at this +day most illustrious by their exertions for liberty--Washington and +Lafayette! + +Permit me, Mr. President, to offer on this occasion my particular homage +of 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 three +days mourning for Benjamin Franklin, to commence on Monday next; that +the discourse pronounced on this occasion be printed, and that the +president write to the American Congress in the name of the National +Assembly. + +Compared with the original by us, president and secretaries of the +National 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 proceedings +of 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 before +you.[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 the +appointment of two brigadier-generals of militia in the territory of +the United States south of the Ohio, and I nominate John Sevier to +be brigadier-general of the militia of Washington district and James +Robertson 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] which +I have received from the Attorney-General of the United States. + +Go. WASHINGTON. + +[Footnote 4: Respecting the relation between district attorneys and the +Attorney-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 of +the year 1791 from the sum of $10,000 granted to defray the contingent +expenses 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 Spanish +interference in the execution of the treaty entered into in the year +1790 between the United States and the Creek Nation of Indians, together +with a letter from the Secretary of State to the President of the United +States 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 the +countries with which the United States have commercial intercourse as +he 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 of +supply in the colonies relatively to the United States," and extract of +an ordinance of Spain of June 9, 1793, "for regulating provisionally +the 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 the +representatives of Spain here in reply to that of the Secretary of State +to 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, with +his account of the expenditure of the moneys appropriated for our +intercourse with foreign nations from the 1st of July, 1792, to the 1st +of 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 explanation +of 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 of +the year 1793 from the sum of $10,000 granted to defray the contingent +expenses 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 in +your possession between the Secretary of State and the minister +plenipotentiary of the French Republic, the copy of a letter from that +minister of the 25th of December, 1793, and a copy of the proceedings of +the legislature of the State of South Carolina.[7] + +Go. WASHINGTON. + +[Footnote 7: Relating to enlistments in South Carolina for the service +of 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 received +from 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 in +London[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 of +North Carolina, together with two petitions,[10] to which it refers, and +which I am requested by the legislature of that State and himself to +transmit to Congress. + +Go. WASHINGTON. + +[Footnote 10: Relating to lands ceded to the United States by North +Carolina.] + + + +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 commissioners +of His Catholic Majesty to the Secretary of State, and of their +inclosures.[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 citizens +against 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 a +consul of the United States, and contain information which will probably +be thought to require some pecuniary provision. + +Go. WASHINGTON. + +[Footnote 12: Relating to the capture of American vessels by British +ships 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 plenipotentiary +of His Britannic Majesty, in answer to a letter from the Secretary of +State communicated to Congress yesterday, and also the copy of a letter +from the Secretary which is referred to in the above-mentioned letter of +the minister.[13] + +Go. WASHINGTON. + +[Footnote 13: Relating to a speech of Lord Dorchester, Governor-General +of Canada, tending to an incitement of the Indians to hostilities +against the United States, to complaints against alleged acts of +violence 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, from +the Secretary of State to the minister plenipotentiary of His Britannic +Majesty, it being an answer to a letter from the minister to him bearing +date the 22d ultimo and already communicated.[14] + +Go. WASHINGTON. + +[Footnote 14: Relating to a speech of Lord Dorchester, Governor-General +of Canada, tending to an incitement of the Indians to hostilities +against the United States; justifying the measures pursued by the United +States to enforce their neutrality, and rebutting the accusation of +partiality 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 30th +of September last from the sums heretofore granted to defray the +contingent 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 by +the Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of constituting an officer +to be specially charged with the business of procuring certain public +supplies.[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 the +expenditure of moneys appropriated for our intercourse with foreign +nations 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 articles +of the treaty with the Cherokees, stipulated the 28th of June last, +together with the conferences which occasioned the formation of the +said 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 letter +from the Secretary of War, accompanied by an extract from a memorandum +of James Seagrove, agent of Indian affairs.[16] + +Go. WASHINGTON. + +[Footnote 16: Relating to the justice of compensating owners of negroes +taken by the Creek Indians from the conclusion of the Revolutionary War +to 1790.] + + + +[The following was transmitted with the message of January 4, 1796 (see +Vol. 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 and +Indivisible (October 21, 1794)_. + + +_The Representatives of the French People composing the Committee +of Public Safety of the National Convention, charged by the law of +the 7th Fructidor with the direction of foreign relations, to the +Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled_. + +CITIZENS REPRESENTATIVES: The connections which nature, reciprocal +wants, and a happy concurrence of circumstances have formed between two +free nations can not but be indissoluble. You have strengthened those +sacred ties by the declarations which the minister plenipotentiary of +the United States has made in your name to the National Convention and +to the French people. They have been received with rapture by a nation +who know how to appreciate every testimony which the United States have +given to them of their affection. The colors of both nations, united in +the center of the National Convention, will be an everlasting evidence +of the part which the United States have taken in the success of the +French 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 many +centuries of ignorance, superstition, and baseness had enchained a +generous nation. + +Soon did the people of the United States perceive that every victory of +ours strengthened their independence and happiness. They were deeply +affected at our momentary misfortunes, occasioned by treasons purchased +by English gold. They have celebrated with rapture the successes of our +brave armies. + +None of these sympathetic emotions have escaped the sensibility of the +French nation. They have all served to cement the most intimate and +solid union that has ever existed between two nations. + +The citizen Adet, who will reside near your Government in quality +of minister plenipotentiary of the French Republic, is especially +instructed to tighten these bands of fraternity and mutual benevolence. +We hope that he may fulfill this principal object of his mission by a +conduct worthy of the confidence of both nations and of the reputation +which his patriotism and virtues have acquired him. + +An analogy of political principles; the natural relations of commerce +and industry; the efforts and immense sacrifices of both nations in the +defense of liberty and equality; the blood which they have spilled +together; their avowed hatred for despots; the moderation of their +political views; the disinterestedness of their counsels, and especially +the success of the vows which they have made, in presence of the Supreme +Being, to be free or die, all combine to render indestructible the +connections which they have formed. + +Doubt it not, citizens, we shall finally destroy the combination of +tyrants--you by the picture of prosperity which in your vast country has +succeeded to a bloody struggle of eight years; we by that enthusiasm +which glows in the breast of every Frenchman. Astonished nations, too +long the dupes of perfidious kings, nobles, and priests, will eventually +recover their rights, and the human race will owe to the American and +French 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 President +of 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 justly +renowned for their courage and their love of liberty the symbol of the +triumphs and of the enfranchisement of my nation. + +When she broke her chains; when she proclaimed the imprescriptible +rights of man; when in a terrible war she sealed with her blood the +covenant she had made with liberty, her own happiness was not alone +the object of her glorious efforts; her views extended also to all free +people. She saw their interest blended with her own, and doubly rejoiced +in her victories, which in assuring to her the enjoyment of her rights +became to them new guaranties of their independence. + +These sentiments, which animated the French nation from the dawn of +their revolution, have acquired new strength since the foundation +of the Republic. France at that time, by the form of its Government, +assimilated to, or rather identified with, free people, saw in them only +friends and brothers. Long accustomed to regard the American people as +her most faithful allies, she has sought to draw closer the ties already +formed in the fields of America, under the auspices of victory, over the +ruins 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 of +the United States presented to the National Representation the colors of +his country. Desiring never to lose recollections as dear to Frenchmen +as they must be to Americans, the Convention ordered that these colors +should be placed in the hall of their sittings. They had experienced +sensations too agreeable not to cause them to be partaken of by their +allies, and decreed that to them the national colors should be +presented. + +Mr. President, I do not doubt their expectation will be fulfilled, and +I am convinced that every citizen will receive with a pleasing emotion +this flag, elsewhere the terror of the enemies of liberty, here the +certain pledge of faithful friendship, especially when they recollect +that it guides to combat men who have shared their toils and who were +prepared 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; having +engaged in a perilous conflict to defend it; having, in a word, devoted +the best years of my life to secure its permanent establishment in my +own country, my anxious recollections, my sympathetic feelings, and my +best wishes are irresistibly excited whensoever in any country I see +an oppressed nation unfurl the banners of freedom. But above all, the +events of the French Revolution have produced the deepest solicitude +as well as the highest admiration. To call your nation brave were to +pronounce but common praise. Wonderful people! Ages to come will read +with astonishment the history of your brilliant exploits! I rejoice that +the period of your toils and of your immense sacrifices is approaching. +I rejoice that the interesting revolutionary movements of so many +years have issued in the formation of a constitution designed to give +permanency to the great object for which you have contended. I rejoice +that liberty, which you have so long embraced with enthusiasm--liberty, +of which you have been the invincible defenders--now finds an asylum in +the bosom of a regularly organized Government, a Government which, being +formed to secure the happiness of the French people, corresponds with +the ardent wishes of my heart, while it gratifies the pride of every +citizen of the United States by its resemblance to their own. On these +glorious events accept, sir, my sincere congratulations. + +In delivering to you these sentiments I express not my own feelings +only, but those of my fellow-citizens, in relation to the commencement, +the progress, and the issue of the French Revolution, and they will +cordially join with me in purest wishes to the Supreme Being that the +citizens of our sister Republic, our magnanimous allies, may soon enjoy +in 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 and +of the enfranchisement of your nation, the colors of France, which you +have now presented to the United States. The transaction will be +announced to Congress, and the colors will be deposited with those +archives of the United States which are at once the evidences and the +memorials of their freedom and independence. May these be perpetual, +and may the friendship of the two Republics be commensurate with their +existence. + +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 of +the year 1795 from the sums heretofore granted to defray the contingent +expenses 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 treaty +with 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, and +navigation between the United States and His Catholic Majesty, which has +been ratified by me with your advice and consent. A copy of the treaty +will be immediately communicated to the House of Representatives, it +being necessary to make provision in the present session for carrying +into execution the third and twenty-first articles, particularly the +former, seeing that execution must commence before the next meeting of +Congress. + +Estimates of the moneys necessary to be provided for the purposes of +this and several other treaties with foreign nations and the Indian +tribes 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 of +the year 1796 from the sums heretofore granted to defray the contingent +charges 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 the +House of Representatives,[18] in compliance with their desire expressed +in their resolution of the 10th of this month, I think it proper to send +duplicates 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 our +envoys extraordinary received since their arrival in Paris, excepting +those 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 navigation +between the United States and His Britannic Majesty has been signed by +the plenipotentiaries of the two powers, which I now submit to the +Senate 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 envoys +at Paris received since the last which have been presented by me to +Congress. + +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 envoys +extraordinary to the French Republic,[21] which was received at the +Secretary of State's office on Thursday, the 14th day of this month. + +JOHN ADAMS. + +[Footnote 21: Inclosing correspondence with the French minister of +foreign relations relative to affairs between the United States and +France.] + + + +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 to +transmit 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 the +application of the grant made by Congress for the contingent charges of +Government 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 lay +before Congress a report of the Secretary of State, containing his +observations 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 of +Indians, 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 of +the business committed to his superintendence, and a statement of the +coinage of the Mint of the United States for the year 1798, which it is +proper to lay before Congress. + +JOHN ADAMS. + + + +UNITED STATES, _December 13, 1799_. + +_Gentlemen of the Senate_: + +In conformity with your recommendation expressed in your resolution of +March 6, 1798, I have entered into a friendly negotiation with the Bey +and Government of Tunis on the subject[24] of the fourteenth article of +the treaty of peace and friendship between the United States and that +power. The result of that negotiation I now lay before the Senate for +their 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 the +Mint, through the office of the Secretary of State, with the documents +attending it, I transmit to both Houses of Congress for their +consideration. + +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 the +contingent 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 the +4th of this month, I directed the Secretary of State to lay before me +copies of the papers intended.[25] These copies, together with his +report, I now transmit to the House of Representatives, for the +consideration of the members. + +JOHN ADAMS. + +[Footnote 25: Relating to the surrender by the United States to Great +Britain of Thomas Nash, charged with murder and piracy on the British +frigate _Hermione_.] + + + +UNITED STATES, _February 17, 1800_. + +_Gentlemen of the Senate_: + +I now lay before you the instructions given to our minister at the Court +of Berlin, with the correspondence, respecting the negotiation of the +treaty with Prussia, according to your request of the 12th of this +month. + +JOHN ADAMS. + + + +UNITED STATES, _April 17, 1800_. + +_Gentlemen of the Senate_: + +In conformity with your request, I transmit you a return from the +War Office of those officers who have been appointed under the act +entitled "An act to augment the Army of the United States, and for +other purposes," designating such officers who have accepted their +appointments and those who have declined accepting, resigned their +commissions, died, etc. + +A report from the Secretary of War, which accompanied this return, as +it 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 of +this month, I transmit you the instructions given to our late envoys +extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary to the French Republic. + +It is my request to the Senate that these instructions may be considered +in strict confidence and returned to me as soon as the Senate shall have +made 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, my +annual account of the application of grants for the contingent charges +of 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 the +14th of this month, appears to be so well founded in all respects that I +recommend it to the consideration of Congress. + +JOHN ADAMS. + +[Footnote 26: Relating to the inconveniences arising from the want of a +competent 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 envoys +to France and the copy of their instructions and other documents relative +to 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 British +ships 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 the +Secretary of the Treasury, of the 26th,[28] with details of the +expenditure 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 purchase +and fabrication of arms and cannon and establishment of foundries and +armories, 1798-1801, and statement of appropriations for above purposes +and 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 now +lay before you a letter from the Secretary of State, containing an +estimate of the expenses necessary for carrying into effect the +convention 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 inform +you that early in the preceding summer I took measures for carrying into +effect the act passed on the 19th of February, 1799, and that of the +13th of May, 1800, mentioned in your resolution. The objects of these +acts were understood to be to purchase from the Indians south of the +Ohio some portions of land peculiarly interesting to the Union or to +particular States and the establishment of certain roads to facilitate +communication with our distant settlements. Commissioners were +accordingly appointed to treat with the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, +and Creeks. As these nations are known to be very jealous on the subject +of their lands, the commissioners were instructed, as will be seen by +the inclosed extract, to enlarge, restrain, or even to suppress +propositions as appearances should indicate to be expedient. Their first +meeting was with the Cherokees. The extract from the speech of our +commissioners and the answers of the Cherokee chiefs will show the +caution of the former and the temper of the latter, and that though our +overtures to them were moderate and respectful of their rights, their +determination was to yield no accommodation. + +The commissioners proceeded then to the Chickasaws, who discovered at +first considerable alarm and anxiety lest land should be asked of them. +A just regard for this very friendly nation, whose attachment to us has +been invariable, forbade the pressure of anything disagreeable on them, +and they yielded with alacrity the road through their country which was +asked and was essential to our communication with the Mississippi +Territory. + +The conferences with the Choctaws are probably ended, but as yet we are +not informed of their result. Those with the Creeks are not expected to +be 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 report +from 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 States +rendering it necessary that the officers retained in service should in +most cases be transferred into regiments different from those to which +their commissions attach them, new commissions are deemed necessary for +them, as well as for those entitled to promotion and for the ensigns +newly nominated. The inclosed report from the Secretary of War exhibits +the transfers, promotions, and new appointments proposed in conformity +with the law, and I accordingly nominate the several persons named in +the 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, I +now transmit to the Senate the proceedings of the court-martial lately +held for the trial of Captain Cornelius Lyman, asking the favor of their +return 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 document +accompanying it, on the subject of your resolution of the 12th instant, +concerning the seventh article[29] of the treaty between the United +States and Great Britain. + +TH: JEFFERSON. + +[Footnote 29: Relating to claims of American citizens against Great +Britain and of British subjects against the United States for illegal +captures 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 at +Philadelphia being within legislative competence only, I transmit it to +both 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 the +subject 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 different +States as had then been received.[30] Since that date returns have been +received from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, North +Carolina, 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 Indiana +Territory I have received those of which a copy is now inclosed for the +information 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 the +transactions of the Mint for the year 1803, I now lay the same before +you 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 Claiborne +to the Secretary of State, with one which it covered, for their +information as to the present state of the subject to which they +relate.[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 return +the enrolled bill entitled "An act for the relief of the captors of the +Moorish armed ships _Meshouda_ and _Mirboha_" to the House of +Representatives, 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 Surveyor +of the Public Buildings at Washington on the subject of those buildings +and 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 the +Director of the Mint of the operations of that institution during the +last 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 and +vessels of the United States and the conduct of the captains and crews +of 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 the +report and map of Isaac Briggs referred to in my message of the 1st +instant,[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 full +information of the state of things between Spain and the United States, +I send them the communication and documents now inclosed. Although +stated to be confidential, that term is not meant to be extended to all +the 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 our +own and foreign ministers, which if disclosed might throw additional +difficulties in the way of accommodation. These alone, therefore, are +delivered to the Legislature in confidence that they will be kept +secret. + +TH: JEFFERSON. + +[The same message was addressed to the Speaker of the House of +Representatives.] + + + +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 the +message, but to communicate these papers afterwards, as supplementary to +those then sent. They are not of a nature to be deemed confidential. + +TH: JEFFERSON. + +[Footnote 34: Relating to depredations on American commerce by Spanish +privateers, 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 be +expected 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 the +Director of the Mint of the operations of that institution during the +last year. + +TH: JEFFERSON + + + +JANUARY 24, 1806. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +According to the request of your resolution of yesterday, I again +communicate the letter of the minister plenipotentiary of the United +States at London to the secretary of that Government for foreign affairs +dated October 18, 1805, with a postscript of October 25, but still in +confidence 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 of +January 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 recited +in 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 that +intended by the Senate, as it answers their description. There is no +letter 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, August +25, 1802. + +Extract of a letter from Mr. Morris to the Secretary of the Navy, March +30, 1803. + +The letter from the Swedish admiral to Hamet Bashaw designated in the +resolution of the Senate is not in possession of the Executive. + +The extracts above mentioned give the whole matter contained in the +respective letters relating to Hamet B. Caramalli. The parts omitted are +on 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 documents +which accompanied my message of January 13,[35] having been sent to the +Senate on their particular request, the same are now transmitted to the +House 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 into +on behalf of the United States with the Piankeshaw Indians, whereby our +possessions on the north bank of the Ohio are entirely consolidated; and +I 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 information +desired by their resolutions of January 24, relative to the +fortifications erected at the several ports and harbors of the United +States and their Territories and to the Navy and navy-yards of the +United 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 act +making provision for defraying any extraordinary expenses attending +the intercourse between the United States and foreign nations," which +originated in the House of Representatives, and I shall in due season +deposit 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 minister +plenipotentiary of the United States at London, stating some circumstances +which bear relation to the subject of my messages of January +17.[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 is +proposed 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 by +the United States on the Capitol, the President's house, the public +offices, the navy-yard, and the marine barracks, respectively, and the +amount expended on other objects of public expense within the city of +Washington, 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 Representatives +communicated in their resolution of the 26th of December, I now lay +before them a report of the Secretary of the Navy on the state of the +frigates, supplementary to his former report of January 28 of the last +year, 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 the +Director of the Mint of the operations of that establishment during the +last 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 government +and 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 the +Director of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during the +last year. + +TH: JEFFERSON. + + + +JANUARY 30, 1808. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +The Senate having advised and consented to the ratification of the +treaty with the Ottaways, Chippeways, Wyandots, and Pottawattamies +concluded at Detroit on the 17th day of November last, and also to the +treaty concluded with the Choctaws at Pooshapukanuck on the 16th of +November, 1805, I now lay them before both Houses of Congress for the +exercise of their constitutional powers as to the means of fulfilling +them. + +TH: JEFFERSON. + + + +MARCH 30, 1808. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I now transmit to the Senate the information requested in their +resolutions of the 28th instant,[37] from the Secretaries of the +Treasury and War. + +TH: JEFFERSON. + +[Footnote 37: Relating to paying United States troops in the Territory +of Michigan in bills issued by the Bank of Detroit after Congress had +rejected 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 are +now again sent to the Senate. + +TH: JEFFERSON. + +[Footnote 38: Concerning the relations of the United States with England +and France.] + + + +APRIL 1, 1808. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +In answer to the inquiries of the resolution of the House of +Representatives 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 United +States minister at Paris, and the date of the receipt of said letters by +said minister.] + + + +NOVEMBER 30, 1808. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +According to the request of the House of Representatives expressed +in their resolution of the 25th instant, I now lay before them a copy of +my 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 Public +Buildings of the progress made on them during the last season, of their +present state, and the expenditures incurred and of those that may be +requisite 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 their +resolution of November 11 that copies should be laid before them of all +acts, decrees, orders, and proclamations affecting the commercial rights +of neutral nations issued or enacted by Great Britain and France or any +other belligerent power since the year 1791, and also of an act placing +the commerce of America in English ports upon the footing of the most +favored nation, I now transmit them a report of the Secretary of State +of such of them as have been attainable in the Department of State and +are supposed to have entered into the views of the House of +Representatives. + +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 the +Director of the Mint of the operations of that establishment during the +last 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, containing +statements[41] from that Department referred to in my message of the +29th ultimo. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 41: Showing the condition of the Navy and the application of +appropriations 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 the +Public Buildings of the progress made on them during the last season and +of 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 operations +of the Mint for the year 1809, I lay the same before you for your +information. + +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 the +Secretary of State on the subject of their resolution of the 3d instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 42: Transmitting translations of a ukase of Russia relating to +neutral commerce and regulations of Denmark for vessels commissioned as +privateers.] + + + +JANUARY 12, 1810. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +I communicate to the House of Representatives the report[43] of the +Secretary of State on the subject of their resolution of the 6th of +December last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 43: Relating to seizures, captures, and condemnations of ships +and merchandise of citizens of the United States under authority of +Denmark, 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 the +Government 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 to +foreign 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, conformably +to their resolution of January 22. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 45: Relating to the military force and its disposition in +1810.] + + + +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 its +confluence 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 and +decrees of France and Great Britain violating the lawful commerce and +neutral 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 with +their resolution of the 12th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 48: Transmitting statement showing value and amount of duties +which accrued in consequence of the duty of 2-1/2 per cent laid on all +goods, wares, and merchandise imported into the United States paying a +duty _ad valorem_ from July 1, 1804, to December 31, 1808, and +statement showing amount of duties which accrued on merchandise imported +into the United States from Mediterranean ports for years ending +September 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 the +act 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 their +resolution of the 22d January last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 50: Relating to the treaty with the Great and Little Osage +Indians.] + + + +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 as +received by the Department of War from the several States and +Territories. + +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, complying +with their resolution of the 22d instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 51: Relating to the capture of Danish vessels by United States +war 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, complying +with their resolution of the 26th of March. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 52: Relating to the impressment of American seamen by British +ships 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, complying +with their resolution of the 23d instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 53: Transmitting list of United States consuls and commercial +agents, 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, complying +with 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, complying +with 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 States +and 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 the +Secretary of State, containing information received since the date of my +late 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 the +Director of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during the +last 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 minister +plenipotentiary of the United States at London to the Secretary of +State, and of another from the same to the British secretary for foreign +affairs.[57] + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 57: Relating to affairs between the United States and Great +Britain.] + + + +JANUARY 14, 1811. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +I transmit to the House of Representatives reports of the superintendent +of the city[58] and of the Surveyor of the Public Buildings on the +subject 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 the +collectors 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 the +Government 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 Public +Buildings 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 Treasury +on the subject of their resolution of the 21st instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 60: Stating that there are no documents in his Department +showing the amount of property of citizens or subjects of Great Britain +or France confiscated under the acts of March 1, 1809, and May 1, 1810; +that inquiry of the several district attorneys for such information has +been made, and that the result will be communicated as soon as received; +that an account of the goods, wares, and merchandise imported into the +United States during the last three quarters of 1809 will be immediately +prepared, but that such account for the year 1810 can not be prepared +during 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 superintendent +of 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 Secretary +of 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 of +the 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, complying +with their resolution of the 1st instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 64: Transmitting copies of the latest census of the Territory +of 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 and +foreign 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 to +awards under the seventh article of the treaty with Great Britain of +November 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 as +received by the Department of War from the several States and +Territories. + +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 Secretary +of State, complying with their resolution of the 18th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 67: Relating to affairs between the United States and Great +Britain.] + + + +FEBRUARY 25, 1811. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +I transmit to the House of Representatives reports from the +superintendent 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 the +Secretary 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 of +State--one from the present plenipotentiary of France, the other +from his predecessor--which were not included among the documents +accompanying my message of the 5th instant,[70] the translation of them +being 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 the +inhabitants of the United States, with a letter from the Secretary of +State 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 Director +of 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 Secretary +of State, complying with their resolution of the 29th of November. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 71: Relating to the impressment of American seamen by foreign +powers.] + + + +JANUARY 16, 1812. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit to the Senate a report[72] of the Secretary of State, complying +with their resolution of the 18th of November. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 72: Relating to the commercial regulations of France applying +to 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 minister +plenipotentiary of Great Britain to the Secretary of State, with the +answer of the latter.[73] + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 73: Relating to the agency of the British Government in the +hostile 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 to +Congress copies of its resolutions[74] transmitted by the governor of +that State. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 74: Expressing confidence in the wisdom and integrity of the +President and Congress and pledging the support of New Jersey should the +United States determine to resist by force the lawless aggressions by +Great 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 the +laying 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 Secretary +of War, in pursuance of their resolution of the 17th of December, 1811. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 75: Transmitting rules and regulations for training and +disciplining 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, complying +with their resolution of the 10th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 76: Stating that his Department is not in possession of any +names of persons in the United States who entered into or countenanced +the project for the fomentation of sectional divisions in the United +States and the dissolution of the Union for the execution of which +John Henry was in the year 1809 employed by Sir James Craig, then +Governor-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 and +minister plenipotentiary of Great Britain to the Secretary of State. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 77: Disclaiming any knowledge of the employment of a secret +agent by Great Britain to foment disaffection to the constituted +authorities 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 the +superintendent of the city,[78] in compliance with their resolution of +the 24th of March, to which I add a letter from B.H. Latrobe, connected +with 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, complying +with their resolution of the 4th of March last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 79: Relating to captures by belligerent European Governments +of 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 correspondence +of the minister plenipotentiary of Great Britain with the Secretary of +State.[80] + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 80: Relating to the revocation of the Berlin and Milan decrees +by 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 between +the Secretary of State and the envoy extraordinary and minister +plenipotentiary of Great Britain. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 81: Relating to impressment of American seamen in British +ships of war, detention of British seamen in American ships of war, +British orders in council, aid given by American citizens to deserters +from 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] which +have passed between the Secretary of State and the envoy extraordinary +and minister plenipotentiary of Great Britain. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 82: Relating to the alleged agency of British authorities in +Canada in atrocities committed on the frontiers of the United States by +Indians.] + + + +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] which +have passed between the Secretary of State and the envoy extraordinary +and minister plenipotentiary of Great Britain. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 83: Relating to the revocation of the Berlin and Milan decrees +by 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 the +Secretary of State from the chargé d'affaires of the United States at +London, accompanied by a letter from the latter to the British minister +of foreign affairs.[84] + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 84: Relating to the British declaration and order in council +of April 21, 1812, to the hostile attitude of Great Britain toward +American 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 State +from the chargé d'affaires of the United States at London and of a +note[85] to him from the British secretary for foreign affairs. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 85: Inclosing copy of a declaration accompanying the British +order 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, complying +with their resolution of the 19th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 86: Transmitting extracts from letters of governors of +Territories and other agents respecting the hostile and friendly +movements 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 Secretary +of State of this date, complying with their resolution of the 30th of +January last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 87: Transmitting lists of captures, seizures, and +condemnations of the ships and merchandise of citizens of the United +States 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 the +Department of War and the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut +referred to in my message of the 4th instant.[88] + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 88: Relating to the refusal of the governors of Massachusetts +and 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 the +Secretary of State. It is connected with the correspondence accompanying +my message of the 12th instant,[89] but had not at that date been +received. + +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 Secretary +of State, complying with their resolution of the 9th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 90: Relating to the conduct of British officers toward persons +taken 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 Secretary +of the Navy, complying with their resolution of the 16th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 91: Relating to the presentation to Commodore Edward Preble +of a gold medal emblematical of the attacks on the town, batteries, and +naval force of Tripoli by the squadron under his command, pursuant to +a 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 Director +of 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 the +Government 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, complying +with their resolution of the 24th December last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 92: Transmitting correspondence relative to murders committed +by 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 the +governor of that State, I lay before Congress copies of their act passed +on 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 by +their 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 by +banks.] + + + +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 the +revocation by France of the Berlin and Milan decrees in so far as they +affected 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, complying +with their resolution of the 7th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 98: Relating to enlistments under the "act authorizing the +President of the United States to accept and organize certain volunteer +military 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 the +governor of that State, I transmit to Congress copies of its resolutions +of 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 States +according 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 between +the 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 the +laying 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 the +Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 1st instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 101: Transmitting correspondence relative to and text of +decree 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 the +following persons, I now nominate them to the same offices respectively +annexed to their names: Albert Gallatin, John Quincy Adams, and James A. +Bayard to be jointly and severally envoys extraordinary and ministers +plenipotentiary to negotiate and sign a treaty of peace with Great +Britain under the mediation of the Emperor of Russia, to negotiate and +sign a treaty of commerce with Great Britain; and the said John Quincy +Adams, Albert Gallatin, and James A. Bayard to be jointly and severally +envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary to negotiate and sign +a 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 Senate +are informed that the office of the Secretary of the Treasury is not +vacated, and that in the absence of Albert Gallatin, commissioned as +one of the envoys to treat with Great Britain and Russia, the duties +of that office are discharged by William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, +authorized therefor according to the provisions of the act of Congress +entitled "An act making alterations in the Treasury and War +Departments," 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 of +Pennsylvania,[102] transmitted for that purpose by the governor of that +State. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 102: "A supplement to an act to incorporate a company for the +purpose of cutting and making a canal between the river Delaware and the +Chesapeake 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 of +ministers 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 Secretary +of State, containing the information requested by their resolution of the +21st of June last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 104: Relating to the British declaration and order in council +of 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 the +Secretary of State, containing the information requested by their +resolutions 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 the +Treasury, containing the information requested by their resolution of +the 27th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 106: Relating to the loan of $16,000,000 authorized by act of +February 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 the +Treasury, complying with the resolution of the 13th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 107: Transmitting statement of amount of duties accruing on +goods, wares, and merchandise imported into the United States from July +1 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 the +Director of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during the +last 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 the +Treasury, complying with their resolution of the 31st December, 1813. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 108: Transmitting a statement of the quantity and estimated +value of spirits distilled from materials other than grain imported into +the United States from the West Indies and American colonies from +October 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 the +Government 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 the +Treasury, 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 the +laying 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 the +Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 13th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 110: Relating to the mediation of Russia in the war between +the 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 the +Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 11th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 111: Relating to the reception by the French Government of the +United 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 Secretary +of State, complying with their resolution of the 12th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 112: Stating that no communication from the French minister +prescribing the conditions on which his sovereign would treat of amity +and commerce with the United States is on file in the Department of +State.] + + + +JANUARY 31, 1814. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[113] of the +Secretary of War, complying with their resolution of the 31st of +December last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 113: Relating to the cause of the failure of the army on the +northern frontier.] + + + +FEBRUARY 3, 1814. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit to the Senate of the United States reports[114] of the +Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy, complying with their +resolution of the 3d ultimo. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 114: Transmitting statements of foreign and domestic articles +consumed in clothing the Army and Navy of the United States in 1813, and +estimates 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 Acting +Secretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the 30th +July, 1813. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 115: Transmitting accounts of United States ministers, +consuls, etc., from commencement of present Government expenses incurred +in and payments made under treaty with Algiers, and accounts of all +other expenditures in relation to the Barbary Powers, including those +occasioned 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 the +governor of that State, I transmit to Congress copies of its resolutions +of the 18th ultimo.[116] + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 116: Commending the "decisive spirit and firmness which the +national authorities have manifested in securing hostages for the safety +of those defenders of the Republic who are threatened with the penalties +of treason against Great Britain," and pledging under all circumstances +to 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 the +governor of that State, I transmit to Congress copies of its resolutions +of the 10th instant.[117] + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 117: Expressing disapprobation of the action of the governor +of a sister State in issuing a proclamation ordering a detachment of +militia of that State then in the United States service to desert and +return to their respective homes, and also expressing disapprobation of +the threatened resistance of another State to any action of Congress +directing an inquiry by the President into the constitutionality of the +act of said governor, and pledging to support the General Government +in all lawful and constitutional measures to bring to justice all +infractors of the Constitution and laws of the United States and all +abettors 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 by +Presidents 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, and +consuls appointed by the several Presidents during the recess of the +Senate.] + + + +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 England +for trial by the British commander in Canada; statement of the grounds +on which the British Government refused to deliver up American seamen +impressed into the British service, and statement of the conduct of the +British Government toward American seamen on board British ships of +war.] + + + +APRIL 16, 1814. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[121] of the +Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 13th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 121: Transmitting extract of a letter from the United States +minister 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 the +continental powers of Europe continue to be those of peace and amity; +that measures have been taken to continue diplomatic relations with +France under the existing Government and to renew those with Spain and +the 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 the +plenipotentiaries of the United States charged with negotiating a peace +with Great Britain, as referred to in my message of the 10th +instant.[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 the +Department of State, complying with their resolution of the 15th +instant. + +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 will +advise and consent to the ratification thereof, a treaty concluded on +the 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 instrument +entitled "Articles of agreement and capitulation made and concluded on +the 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 to +them. + +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 the +laying 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 the +Director of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during the +last 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 the +Government 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, complying +with their resolution of the 19th December.[125] + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 125: Relating to measures authorized by the President in +pursuance of the "act to enable the President of the United States, +under certain contingencies, to take possession of the country lying +east of the river Perdido and south of the State of Georgia and the +Mississippi Territory, and for other purposes," for the purpose of +possessing 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 conferences +between 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 Acting +Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 15th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 127: Relating to affairs between the United States and the +Barbary 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 and +miles of post-roads in each State, net amount of postages for six months +ending 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 of +State, complying with their resolution of the 24th of October last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 129: Relating to the sale of negroes taken from the United +States 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 the +Director of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during the +last 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 two +letters from the envoy extraordinary and minister-plenipotentiary of +Spain to the Secretary of State, with his answer.[130] + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 130: Relating to demand of Spain for possession of West +Florida; to unlawful expeditions against Spanish possessions; to the +exclusion from ports of the United States of the flags of revolting +provinces of Spain; to the attitude of the United States toward the +Mexican revolution; to vessels of the United States condemned in ports +of Spain; to the free navigation of the Mississippi; to the boundaries +of 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 the +resolution of the 4th instant. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 131: Relating to the massacre of American prisoners at +Dartmoor prison, England.] + + + +FEBRUARY 13, 1816. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit to the Senate a report from the Secretary of War, complying +with their resolution of the 5th instant.[132] + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 132: Relating to the reduction of the late Army to a peace +establishment.] + + + +MARCH 11, 1816. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[133] of the +Secretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the +17th of February. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 133: Transmitting statements of receipts and expenditures of +the city of Washington from 1791 to 1815, inclusive, and of moneys +advanced 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 the +laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, +to the State of Ohio, with a statement of past appropriations and an +estimate 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 the +Secretary of the Treasury, complying with their resolution of the 29th +of February last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 134: Relating to the employment of counsel to assist the +Attorney-General in prosecuting cases in the Supreme Court, names of +persons 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, articles +of a treaty and of a convention which have been concluded with the +Cherokee 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 the +Treasury, complying with their resolutions of the 26th March last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 135: Relating to the survey of the coasts of the United +States.] + + + +APRIL 18, 1816. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +I transmit to the House of Representatives a report[136] from the +Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 17th +February last. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 136: Relating to obstructions to American commerce in the +provincial 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 the +Secretary of State on the subject of their resolution of February +28, 1816. + +JAMES MADISON. + +[Footnote 137: Transmitting lists of impressed American seamen +transferred from British ships of war to Dartmoor and other prisons in +England and the West Indies and Nova Scotia, and those discharged in +England 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 the +Director of the Mint of the operation of that establishment during the +last 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 the +Government 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, Rhode +Island, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina for militia services +during 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 in +contravention 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 of +the United States and Spain relative to settlement of boundaries, to +cession of East Florida by Spain, to indemnification for injuries to +American 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 of +December last, requesting information of the number of States which had +ratified the thirteenth article of the amendments to the Constitution of +the United States,[141] I transmit to the House a detailed report from +the Secretary of State, which contains all the information that has been +received upon that subject. + +No time will be lost in communicating to the House the answers of the +governors of the States of South Carolina and Virginia to the inquiries +stated by the Secretary of State to have been recently addressed to them +when 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, without +the consent of Congress, accept and retain any present, pension, office, +or emolument of any kind whatever from any emperor, king, prince, or +foreign power, such person shall cease to be a citizen of the United +States, and shall be incapable of holding any office of profit or trust +under them, or either of them." This proposed amendment did not become +a part of the Constitution, failing of ratification by three-fourths of +the 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 and +examinations made by naval officers in cooperation with officers of the +Corps 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 6th +of this month, I now lay before that House a report received from the +Secretary of State, with the copy of the correspondence[142] referred to +and requested by that resolution. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 142: Relating to a blockade of the Spanish coast in South +America 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 now +transmit to the Senate a statement of the expenditures upon the public +buildings 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 the +12th instant, I lay before that House a report which I have received +from the Department of State, with a copy of the letter communicated +with it.[143] + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 143: Relative to the claims of the heirs of Caron de +Beaumarchais.] + + + +MARCH 5, 1818. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I lay before the Senate, for their consideration and the exercise +of their constitutional power of advice and consent respecting the +ratification thereof, a treaty concluded on the 22d of January last with +the Creek Nation of Indians. This treaty is accompanied by certain +documents 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 7th +instant, I now transmit the report of the Secretary of State, with a +statement of the expenses incurred under the fourth, fifth, sixth, and +seventh articles of the treaty of Ghent, specifying the items of +expenditure 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 Public +Buildings, made in compliance with a resolution of the 28th of January +last, requiring a statement of the expenditures upon the public +buildings and an account of their progress to be annually exhibited +to 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 to +the Senate a report[144] from the Acting Secretary of the Navy, which, +with the documents accompanying it, will be found to contain all the +information 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 of +the 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 between +the Secretary of State and the Spanish minister relative to affairs +between 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, I +transmit copies of the instructions to the commissioners who negotiated +the 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, I +transmit to that House a report from the Secretary of State, with the +papers 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 friendly +Indians, 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 the +House of Representatives a report from the Secretary of State, with the +papers 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 was +not communicated on a former occasion from that Department. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 148: Relating to the case of Captain Obed Wright, charged with +the 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 Public +Buildings, which, with the accompanying documents, will exhibit the +present state of those buildings and the expenditures thereon during +the 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_, and +contain all the information in possession of the Executive respecting +the progress of the negotiation with the British Government in relation +to 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 their +resolution of the 22d of last month, a report from the Secretary of +State, with the papers containing the information requested by that +resolution.[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 the +operations 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 the +construction of the road leading from Cumberland, in the State of +Maryland, 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 of +February, a report[150] from the Secretary of State, with the information +required by that rotation. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 150: Relating to the construction of the first article of the +treaty of Ghent, relative to slaves.] + + + +WASHINGTON, _March 28, 1820_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit to the House of Representatives, in pursuance of their +resolution of the 31st of January last, a report[151] from the Secretary +of 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 United +States, 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 21st +of last month, the accompanying report and documents[152] from the +Department of State. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 152: Relating to the seizure, sequestration, or confiscation +of the ships or other property of citizens of the United States by +authority 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 of +Spain to the Secretary of State, received since my message of the 9th +instant.[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 of +January, 1818, I communicate herewith to the Senate the report of +the Commissioner of Public Buildings required by that resolution. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[The same message was addressed to the Speaker of the House of +Representatives.] + + + +JANUARY 26, 1821. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I lay before the Senate, for their consideration and advice as to a +ratification, a treaty concluded between the United States and the Creek +Nation 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 from +Richard W. Meade,[154] together with a report of the Secretary of State +concerning 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, inclosing +a statement of the Treasurer, submitting the operations of the Mint for +the 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 Indian +tribes at Chicago, with the papers relating thereto, which is submitted +for 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 a +statement 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 an +account of their progress to be annually laid before Congress at the +commencement of each session," I herewith transmit the annual report +of 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 of +the 3d instant, with the documents[155] which accompanied that report. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 155: Relating to relief of sick, disabled, and destitute +American 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 the +documents which accompany it, containing the information requested by +a 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 Secretary +of State on the subject required by the resolution of that House of the +22d ultimo,[157] with the documents which accompanied that report. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 157: Relating to that part of the boundary line between the +United States and the British Provinces which extends "from the source +of the river St. Croix to the northwesternmost head of Connecticut +River."] + + + +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 report +from the Secretary of War, which, with the accompanying documents,[158] +contains the information requested. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 158: Statements of ordnance and ordnance stores in +fortifications, 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 of +the 1st instant, with the documents which accompanied that report.[159] + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 159: Relating to the appointment of William B. Irish as +marshal 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, containing +the information[160] required by the resolution of the Senate of the 4th +instant. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 160: Relating to the lease of a building on Capitol Hill for +the 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 laid +before this House any information which he may have of the condition +of the several Indian tribes within the United States and the progress +of 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 be +communicated to the Senate the instructions to the commissioners who +negotiated the treaty concluded at Chicago with the Ottowa, Chippeway, +and Potawatamie nations of Indians, I herewith transmit a report from +the 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 Secretary +of State, with the documents[161] accompanying it, in pursuance of a +resolution of the House of the 17th January last. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 161: Correspondence leading up to and protocol of treaty of +Ghent, etc.] + + + +WASHINGTON, _March 4, 1822_. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +I transmit a report from the Secretary of the Navy, communicating +information in relation to the Navy of the United States[162] requested +by 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 of +officers 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 Executive +embraced by that resolution. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 163: Relating to lands granted to officers and soldiers of +Virginia 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 that +the President of the United States cause to be furnished to that House +certain detailed information from the Navy Department, I herewith +transmit a report from the Secretary of the Navy, with other +documents.[164] + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 164: Statements showing names and number of officers belonging +to the Navy attached to each navy-yard in the United States, and their +compensation 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 the +resolution of the Senate of the 12th instant, which I have received this +day, and which in consequence of his absence was not communicated with +the 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 Commissioner +of Public Buildings made in obedience to a resolution of the Senate +passed 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, requesting +information "what appropriations will be required to fortify Thompsons +Island, usually called Key West, and whether a naval depot established +at that island, protected by fortifications, will not afford facilities +in defending the commerce of the United States and in clearing the Gulf +of Mexico and the adjacent seas from pirates," I transmit a report from +the Secretary of the Navy, which communicates all the information which +I 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 the +commissioners nominated to treat with the Indians for the extinguishment +of Indian titles in the State of Georgia, I transmit to the Senate a +report 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, I +herewith transmit to Congress the report of the Commissioner of Public +Buildings, showing the expenditures on public buildings and other +objects 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 the +Secretary of State, together with a digest of recent commercial +regulations of foreign countries, prepared in compliance with a +resolution 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 Secretary +of State, agreeably to a resolution of that House of the 11th of +December 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, which +communicates all the information in possession of the Department which +was 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 and +Patuxent rivers, plans for same, and estimates of cost of each +fortification.] + + + +WASHINGTON, _March 19, 1824_. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States_: + +I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretary +of State, with the papers[168] therein referred to, in compliance with a +resolution 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 to +the convention for the suppression of the African slave trade, which +have 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 Secretary +of State, with an appendix to a report[169] from him already +communicated 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 1st +of 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 the +Secretary of State, concerning a resolution of that House of the 20th of +April last, which was referred to him. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 171: Stating that the correspondence relative to French +spoliations and to the claims of France upon the United States for +noncompliance 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 the +ratification, the treaties concluded and signed on the 4th day of August +last between the United States and the Ioway, the Sock, and Fox tribes +of 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 the +public buildings and an account of their progress to be annually laid +before Congress at the commencement of each session," I herewith +transmit a report from the Commissioner of Public Buildings, which +contains 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 contains +the information requested. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 172: Relating to the use of canvas, cables, and cordage made +of hemp grown in the United States in the equipment vessels of the +American 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 of +the 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 the +28th ultimo, requesting the President to inform that House what terms +were offered by applicants for the stock created by the act of the 24th +of May last and by whom such terms were offered, I herewith transmit a +report 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 of +the Secretary of War, with a report made to that Department by the +commissioners 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 of +the Secretary of War, with a report made to that Department by the +commissioners 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 be +unnecessary to add that the negotiations being by common consent to be +hereafter resumed, it is important that this communication should be +regarded by the Senate as strictly confidential. + +JAMES MONROE. + +[Footnote 173: Relating to commercial intercourse with the British +colonies of the West Indies and Canada; to the boundary under the fifth +article of the treaty of Ghent, and the navigation of the St. Lawrence +River; to admission of United States consuls into British colonial +ports; to the Newfoundland fishery; to maritime questions; to the +northwest 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 United +States, 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 United +States, 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 making +the appropriation necessary for carrying into effect the appointment of +a 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 and +the 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 the +report from the War Department relating to Indian affairs, communicated +at 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 Secretary +of State, containing the information requested by two resolutions of the +House relating to certain negotiations[174] with the Government of the +United Mexican States. + +JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. + +[Footnote 174: Concerning the boundary line between the United States +and Mexico and the return of slaves escaping from the former country +into 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 the +6th instant, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, +together with copies of the correspondence with the Government of the +Netherlands 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, a +convention of friendship, navigation, and commerce between the United +States and the Free Hanseatic Republics of Lubeck, Bremen, and Hamburg, +signed by the respective plenipotentiaries of the parties on the 20th +instant 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 the +Public Buildings, made in conformity with a resolution of the Senate of +the 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 the +9th instant, I readily express the opinion that the publication of the +message[175] and documents to which it alludes may be made without +detriment to the public service. + +JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. + +[Footnote 175: Of December 24, 1827 (see Vol. II, p. 393), relative to +the negotiation of the convention of November 13, 1826, with Great +Britain.] + + + +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 the +operations of that institution during the year 1827, are herewith +transmitted 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 statements +relative to the estimates and appropriations for the expenses of the +year 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 the +annual statement exhibiting the operations of that institution during +the 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 Land +Office for the year 1827, as desired by a resolution of the Senate of +the 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 of +the inspectors of the penitentiary in the District of Columbia, herewith +transmitted. + +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 annual +report of the inspectors of the penitentiary in the District of +Columbia. + +ANDREW JACKSON. + + + +WASHINGTON, _January 19, 1833_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith the fourth annual report of the board of inspectors +of the penitentiary in the District of Columbia, which is required by +the 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 of +Representatives.] + + + +WASHINGTON, _January 28, 1934_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I herewith transmit the annual report of the inspectors of the +penitentiary in the District of Columbia, which, agreeably to the act +for the government and discipline of the same, is to be laid before +Congress. + +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 the +Mint, showing the operations of that institution during the year 1834. + +ANDREW JACKSON. + +[The same message was addressed to the Speaker of the House of +Representatives.] + + + +WASHINGTON, _January 12, 1835_. + +_To the Congress of the United States_: + +I transmit, for the information of Congress, the sixth annual report of +the inspectors of the penitentiary for the District of Columbia, made in +compliance 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 the +Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolutions of that body +passed on the 2d and 13th days of February last, together with such +portion of the correspondence and instructions requested by the said +resolutions as has not been heretofore transmitted and as can be +communicated without prejudice to the public interest. + +ANDREW JACKSON. + +[Footnote 176: Transmitting correspondence which passed between the +Governments of the United States and Spain in the negotiation of the +treaty of February 17, 1834, instructions given to the minister of the +United 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 of +inspectors of the penitentiary in the District of Columbia, which, in +pursuance 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 the +operations of that institution during the year 1837 and also the +progress made toward the completion of the branch mints in North +Carolina, 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 herewith +transmit to Congress the ninth annual report of the board of inspectors +of 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 herewith +transmit to Congress the tenth annual report of the board of inspectors +of 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, showing +the 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, I +herewith transmit to Congress the eleventh annual report of the board of +inspectors 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 the +Director of the Mint, containing a complete statement of the operations +of 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, I +herewith transmit to Congress the twelfth annual report of the board of +inspectors 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 for +the District of Columbia, made in pursuance of the act of Congress of +the 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 the +Director of the Mint, showing the operations of that institution for the +year 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 of +the District of Columbia for the past year, with the accompanying +documents. + +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 at +Philadelphia, exhibiting the operations of the Mint and branch mints for +the 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 the +Mint, 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 the +penitentiary 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 the +penitentiary for the District of Columbia, made in compliance with the +act 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 at +Philadelphia, showing the operation of the Mint and branch mints for the +year 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 transmit +herewith the annual report of the inspectors of the penitentiary for the +District 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 of +the 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 the +penitentiary for the District of Columbia, made in compliance with the +act 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 at +Philadelphia, showing the operation of the Mint and branch mints for the +year 1847. + +JAMES K. POLK. + + + +WASHINGTON, _January 11, 1849_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I herewith transmit the annual report of the inspectors of the +penitentiary for the District of Columbia, made in compliance with the +act 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 at +Philadelphia, showing the operations of the Mint and branch mints for +the 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 at +Philadelphia, showing the operations of the Mint and its branches for +the 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 the +penitentiary for the District of Columbia, made in compliance with the +act 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 at +Philadelphia, showing the operation of the Mint and branch mints for the +year 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 Representatives +the report of the inspectors of the penitentiary of the United States +in 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 at +Philadelphia, showing the operations of the Mint and its branches for +the year 1851. + +MILLARD FILLMORE. + + + +WASHINGTON, _April 2, 1852_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith the report of the inspector of the penitentiary of +the United States in the District of Columbia for the year ending the +31st 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 the +report 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 from +the Secretary of the Interior, accompanied by the annual report of the +board of inspectors of the penitentiary of the District of Columbia for +the 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 at +Philadelphia, showing the operation of the Mint and branch mints for the +year 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 the +penitentiary for the District of Columbia for the year ending December +31, 1853. + +FRANKLIN PIERCE. + + + +WASHINGTON, _February 8, 1855_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith the report of the Director of the Mint, showing the +operations 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 United +States 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 the +operations 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. John +Duane, 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 establishing +a mint and regulating the coins of the United States," passed on the 3d +day of March, 1795, "the President of the United States is authorized, +whenever he shall think it for the benefit of the United States, to +reduce the weight of the copper coin of the United States, provided such +reduction shall not in the whole exceed 2 pennyweights in each cent and +in like proportion in a half cent; of which he shall give notice by +proclamation;" and + +Whereas, on account of the increased price of copper and expense of +coinage, I have thought it would be for the benefit of the United +States to reduce the weight of the copper coin of the United States +1 pennyweight and 16 grains in each cent and in like proportion in each +half cent, and the same has since the 27th day of December last been +reduced accordingly: + +I hereby give notice thereof and that all cents and half cents coined +and to be coined at the Mint of the United States from and after the +said 27th day of December are to weigh, the cents each 7 pennyweights +and the half cents each 3 pennyweights and 12 grains. + +In testimony whereof I, the said George Washington, President of the +United States, have caused the seal of the United States to be hereto +affixed 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 of +General George Washington," have this day "_Resolved_, That it be +recommended to the people of the United States to wear crape on the left +arm as mourning for thirty days," and "that the President of the United +States be requested to issue a proclamation notifying to the people +throughout the United States the said recommendation:" + +Now, therefore, I, John Adams, President of the United States, do hereby +proclaim 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 the +United 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 patriotic +associations and citizens, in view of the present distracted and +dangerous condition of our country, to recommend that a day be set apart +for humiliation, fasting, and prayer throughout the Union. + +In compliance with their request and my own sense of duty, I designate +Friday, the 4th day of January, 1861, for this purpose, and recommend +that the people assemble on that day, according to their several forms +of worship, to keep it as a solemn fast. + +The Union of the States is at the present moment threatened with +alarming and immediate danger; panic and distress of a fearful character +prevail throughout the land; our laboring population are without +employment, and consequently deprived of the means of earning their +bread. Indeed, hope seems to have deserted the minds of men. All classes +are in a state of confusion and dismay, and the wisest counsels of our +best and purest men are wholly disregarded. + +In this the hour of our calamity and peril to whom shall we resort for +relief but to the God of our fathers? His omnipotent arm only can save +us from the awful effects of our own crimes and follies--our own +ingratitude and guilt toward our Heavenly Father. + +Let us, then, with deep contrition and penitent sorrow unite in humbling +ourselves before the Most High, in confessing our individual and +national sins, and in acknowledging the justice of our punishment. Let +us implore Him to remove from our hearts that false pride of opinion +which would impel us to persevere in wrong for the sake of consistency +rather than yield a just submission to the unforeseen exigencies by +which we are now surrounded. Let us with deep reverence beseech Him to +restore the friendship and good will which prevailed in former days +among the people of the several States, and, above all, to save us from +the horrors of civil war and "blood guiltiness." Let our fervent prayers +ascend to His throne that He would not desert us in this hour of extreme +peril, but remember us as He did our fathers in the darkest days of the +Revolution, and preserve our Constitution and our Union, the work of +their 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 wrath +He can restrain. Let me invoke every individual, in whatever sphere of +life he may be placed, to feel a personal responsibility to God and his +country for keeping this day holy and for contributing all in his power +to 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 Executive +Departments under the Government of the Union I do not conceive it +expedient to call upon you for information officially, yet I have +supposed that some informal communications from the Office of Foreign +Affairs might neither be improper nor unprofitable. Finding myself at +this moment less occupied with the duties of my office than I shall +probably be at almost any time hereafter, I am desirous of employing +myself in obtaining an acquaintance with the real situation of the +several great Departments at the period of my acceding to the +administration of the General Government. For this purpose I wish to +receive in writing such a clear account of the Department at the head of +which you have been for some years past as may be sufficient (without +overburthening or confusing the mind, which has very many objects to +claim its attention at the same instant) to impress me with a full, +precise, and distinct general idea of the affairs of the United States +so 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 be +necessary to be acted upon hereafter or as may be calculated to give me +an insight into the business and duties of that Department, I have +thought fit to address this notification to you accordingly. + +I am, etc., + +GO. WASHINGTON. + +[Footnote 177: Addressed to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the +Secretary 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 OF +THE WESTERN TERRITORY--6TH OCTOBER, 1789. + +ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, Esq., + +_Governor of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the Ohio +and Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Northern District_. + +SIR: Congress having by their act of the 29th of September last +empowered me to call forth the militia of the States, respectively, for +the protection of the frontiers from the incursions of the hostile +Indians, 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 full +information whether the Wabash and Illinois Indians are most inclined +for war or peace. If for the former, it is proper that I should be +informed 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 as +soon as possible. + +You will therefore inform the said Indians of the dispositions of the +General Government on this subject and of their reasonable desire that +there should be a cessation of hostilities as a prelude to a treaty. If, +however, notwithstanding your intimations to them, they should continue +their hostilities or meditate any incursions against the frontiers of +Virginia and Pennsylvania or against any of the troops or posts of the +United States, and it should appear to you that the time of execution +would be so near as to forbid your transmitting the information to me +and receiving my further orders thereon, then you are hereby authorized +and empowered in my name to call on the lieutenants of the nearest +counties of Virginia and Pennsylvania for such detachments of militia as +you may judge proper, not exceeding, however, 1,000 from Virginia and +500 from Pennsylvania. + +I have directed letters to be written to the executives of Virginia and +Pennsylvania informing them of the before-recited act of Congress and +that I have given you these conditional directions, so that there may +not be any obstructions to such measures as shall be necessary to be +taken by you for calling forth the militia agreeably to the instructions +herein contained. + +The said militia to act in conjunction with the Federal troops in such +operations, offensive or defensive, as you and the commanding officer of +the troops conjointly shall judge necessary for the public service and +the protection of the inhabitants and the posts. + +The said militia while in actual service to be on the continental +establishment of pay and rations. They are to arm and equip themselves, +but to be furnished with public ammunition if necessary; and no charge +for the pay of said militia will be valid unless supported by regular +musters, made by a field or other officer of the Federal troops, to be +appointed by the commanding officer of the troops. + +I would have it observed forcibly that a war with the Wabash Indians +ought to be avoided by all means consistently with the security of the +frontier inhabitants, the security of the troops, and the national +dignity. In the exercise of the present indiscriminate hostilities it +is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to say that a war without +further measures would be just on the part of the United States. + +But if, after manifesting clearly to the Indians the dispositions of +the General Government for the preservation of peace and the extension +of a just protection to the said Indians, they should continue their +incursions, the United States will be constrained to punish them with +severity. + +You will also proceed, as soon as you can with safety, to execute the +orders of the late Congress respecting the inhabitants at St. Vincennes +and at the Kaskaskias and the other villages on the Mississippi. It is a +circumstance of some importance that the said inhabitants should as soon +as possible possess the lands to which they are entitled by some known +and fixed principles. + +I have directed a number of copies of the treaty made by you at Fort +Harmar with the Wyandots, etc., on the 9th of January last to be printed +and forwarded to you, together with the ratification and my proclamation +enjoining the observance thereof. + +As it may be of high importance to obtain a precise and accurate +knowledge of the several waters which empty into the Ohio on the +northwest and of those which discharge themselves in the Lakes Erie and +Michigan, 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 and +Independence 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 to +all the invalid pensioners of the United States that the amount of one +year's pension from the 4th day of March last will be paid to them or +their attorneys, respectively, in two equal payments, the first of which +will be made on the 5th day of March, 1790, and the second on the 5th +day of June following, at such places in each State and by such persons +as shall hereafter in due season be publicly made known. + +The payments will be made according to the following regulations, to +wit: + +The returns which have been or shall be made to the Secretary for the +Department of War by the several States of the pensions which have been +granted and paid by them, respectively, will, together with the vouchers +herein required, be considered as the evidence whereon the payments are +to be made. + +Every application for payment must be accompanied by the following +vouchers: + +First. The certificate given by the State, specifying that the person +possessing it is in fact an invalid and ascertaining the sum to which as +such 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 said +attorney must, besides the certificate and oath before recited, produce a +special 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 with +legal evidence of their respective offices and also the time the invalid +died 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 the +Secretary of the Treasury for the time being_: + +By virtue of the several acts, the one entitled "An act making provision +for the debt of the United States" and the other entitled "An act making +provision for the reduction of the public debt," I do hereby authorize +and empower you, by yourself or any other person or persons, to borrow +on 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 or +cause to be made for that purpose such contract or contracts as shall +be necessary and for the interest of the said States, subject to the +restrictions and limitations in the said several acts contained; and +for so doing this shall be your sufficient warrant. + +In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the United States to be +hereunto 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 the +Secretary of the Treasury for the time being_: + +Having thought fit to commit to you the charge of borrowing on behalf of +the 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 provision +for the debt of the United States," the other entitled "An act making +provision for the reduction of the public debt"-- + +I do hereby make known to you that in the execution of the said trust +you are to observe and follow the orders and directions following, viz: +Except where otherwise especially directed by me you shall employ in +the negotiation of any loan or loans which may be made in any foreign +country William Short, esq. You shall borrow or cause to be borrowed, +on the best terms which shall be found practicable (and within the +limitations prescribed by law as to time of repayment and rate of +interest), such sum or sums as shall be sufficient to discharge as well +all installments or parts of the principal of the foreign debt which +now are due or shall become payable to the end of the year 1791 as all +interest and arrears of interest which now are or shall become due in +respect to the said debt to the same end of the year 1791; and you shall +apply or cause to be applied the moneys which shall be so borrowed with +all convenient dispatch to the payment of the said installments and +parts of the principal and interest and arrears of the interest of +the said debt. You shall not extend the amount of the loan which you +shall make or cause to be made beyond the sum which shall be necessary +for completing such payment unless it can be done upon terms more +advantageous to the United States than those upon which the residue of +the said debt shall stand or be; but if the said residue or any part of +the same can be paid off by new loans upon terms of advantage to the +United States you shall cause such further loans as may be requisite to +that end to be made and the proceeds thereof to be applied accordingly. +And for carrying into effect the objects and purposes aforesaid I do +hereby further empower you to make or cause to be made with whomsoever +it may concern such contract or contracts, being of a nature relative +thereto, as shall be found needful and conducive to the interest of the +United States. + +If any negotiation with any prince or state to whom any part of the +said debt may be due should be requisite, the same shall be carried on +through the person who in capacity of minister, chargé d'affaires, or +otherwise now is or hereafter shall be charged with transacting the +affairs of the United States with such prince or state, for which +purpose I shall direct the Secretary of State, with whom you are in +this 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 in +the present Indian war[178] may some of them be out of the public +recollection and others perhaps be unknown, it may appear advisable that +you prepare and publish from authentic documents a statement of those +circumstances, as well as of the measures which have been taken from +time to time for the reestablishment of peace and friendship. + +When the community are called upon for considerable exertions to relieve +a part which is suffering under the hand of an enemy, it is desirable to +manifest that due pains have been taken by those intrusted with the +administration 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 that +any lot or lots in the city of Washington may, after the public sale +to commence on the 8th day of October, be sold and agreed for by the +commissioners, or any two of them, at private sale for such price and +on 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 PORTS +OF THE UNITED STATES BY BELLIGERENT POWERS, AND PROCEEDINGS ON THE +CONDUCT OF THE FRENCH MINISTER. + +AUGUST 3, 1793. + +1. The original arming and equipping of vessels in the ports of the +United 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 parties +in the ports of the United States purely for the accommodation of them +as such is deemed lawful. + +3. Equipments in the ports of the United States of vessels of war in the +immediate service of the Government of any of the belligerent parties +which if done to other vessels would be of a doubtful nature, as being +applicable either to commerce or war, are deemed lawful, except those +which shall have made prize of the subjects, people, or property of +France coming with their prizes into the ports of the United States +pursuant to the seventeenth article of our treaty of amity and commerce +with France. + +4. Equipments in the ports of the United States by any of the parties at +war with France of vessels fitted for merchandise and war, whether with +or without commissions, which are doubtful in their nature, as being +applicable either to commerce or war, are deemed lawful, except those +which shall be made prize, etc. + +5. Equipments of any of the vessels of France in the ports of the United +States which are doubtful in their nature, as being applicable to +commerce or war, are deemed lawful. + +6. Equipments of every kind in the ports of the United States of +privateers of the powers at war with France are deemed lawful. + +7. Equipments of vessels in the ports of the United States which are +of a nature solely adapted to war are deemed unlawful, except those +stranded or wrecked, as mentioned in the eighteenth article of our +treaty with France, the sixteenth of our treaty with the United +Netherlands, the ninth of our treaty with Prussia, and except those +mentioned in the nineteenth article of our treaty with France, the +seventeenth of our treaty with the United Netherlands, the eighteenth +of our treaty with Prussia. + +8. Vessels of either of the parties not armed, or armed previous to +their coming into the ports of the United States, which shall not have +infringed any of the foregoing rules, may lawfully engage or enlist +their own subjects or citizens, not being inhabitants of the United +States, except privateers of the powers at war with France and except +those vessels which shall have made prize, etc. + +The foregoing rules having been considered by us at several meetings and +being now unanimously approved, they are submitted to the President of +the 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 President +considers the United States as bound, pursuant to positive assurances +given in conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate the +restoration of or to make compensation for prizes which shall have been +made of any of the parties at war with France subsequent to the 5th day +of June last by privateers fitted out of their ports. + +That it is consequently expected that he will cause restitution to be +made of all prizes taken and brought into our ports subsequent to the +above-mentioned day by such privateers, in defect of which the President +considers it as incumbent upon the United States to indemnify the owners +of those prizes, the indemnification to be reimbursed by the French +nation. + +That besides taking efficacious measures to prevent the future fitting +out of privateers in the ports of the United States they will not give +asylum therein to any which shall have been at any time so fitted out, +and will cause restitution of all such prizes as shall be hereafter +brought within their ports by any of the said privateers. + +That instructions be sent to the respective governors in conformity to +the above communication. + +The foregoing having been duly considered, and being now unanimously +approved, 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 the +President's on the 1st and 2d of August, 1793, on a review of the whole +of M. Genet's correspondence and conduct, it was unanimously agreed that +a letter should be written to the minister of the United States at Paris +stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had +arisen between the Government of the United States and M. Genet, +assigning the reasons for the opinions of the former and desiring the +recall of the latter; and that this letter, with those which have passed +between M. Genet and the Secretary of State, and other necessary +documents, shall be laid by Mr. Morris before the Executive of the +French Government. + +At a meeting of the same at the President's August 15 the rough draft of +the said letter, having been prepared by the Secretary of State, was +read for consideration, and it was agreed that the Secretary of the +Treasury should take measures for obtaining a vessel, either by hire or +purchase, 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 letter +was read and corrected by paragraphs, and finally agreed to. + +At a meeting of the same at the President's August 23 it was agreed that +the preceding letter should bear the date of the last document which is +to accompany it, to wit, August 16; and the draft of a second letter to +our minister at Paris was read and unanimously approved, and to bear +date 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 have +prepared the eight rules which you handed to me yesterday, are well +satisfied that they are not repugnant to treaties or to the laws +of nations, and, moreover, are the best we can adopt to maintain +neutrality, I not only give them my approbation, but desire they may +be made known without delay for the information of all concerned. + +The same expression will do for the other paper, which has been +subscribed as above and submitted to my consideration, for restoring or +making restitution of prizes under the circumstances therein mentioned. + +It is proper you should be informed that the minister of France intends +to leave this city for New York to-morrow, and not amiss, perhaps, to +know 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 the +allusion was to the subject he was then speaking upon), some of these +men may be employed in the equipment of privateers other than those +_now_ in existence, as the right of fitting out such _in our +ports_ is asserted in unequivocal terms. + +Was the propriety of convening the Legislature at an earlier day than +that on which it is to assemble by law considered yesterday? + +The late decree of the National Convention of France, dated the 9th of +May, authorizing their ships of war and armed vessels to stop any +neutral vessel loaded in whole or part with provisions and send them +into 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 UNITED +STATES, GIVEN AT PHILADELPHIA THIS 28TH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 1798, AND IN +THE TWENTY-SECOND YEAR OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE SAID STATES. + +Whereas it is declared by an act of Congress passed the 28th day of +May, 1798, that armed vessels sailing under authority or pretense of +authority from the French Republic have committed depredations on the +commerce of the United States and have recently captured the vessels and +property of citizens thereof on and near the coasts, in violation of the +law of nations and treaties between the United States and the French +nation: + +Therefore, and in pursuance of the said act, you are instructed and +directed to seize, take, and bring into any port of the United States, +to be proceeded against according to the laws of nations, any armed +vessel sailing under authority or pretense of authority from the French +Republic which shall have committed, or which shall be found hovering +on the coasts of the United States for the purpose of committing, +depredations on the vessels belonging to citizens thereof, and also to +retake any ship or vessel of any citizen or citizens of the United +States 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," passed +the 9th day of July, 1798, and which is hereto annexed, the regulations +therein prescribed are to be strictly attended to and observed. + +Second. The powers of capturing and recapturing granted by the said act +being pointed solely and exclusively against French armed vessels and +those vessels, goods, and effects of citizens of the United States or of +persons resident therein which shall have been captured by the French, +the rights of all other nations are to be duly respected, and they are +not to be molested in their persons or property; consequently American +vessels and property captured by the commissioned vessels of such of +those other nations as are at war are not to be recaptured by the armed +vessels of the United States. Nevertheless, any vessels found on the +high seas may be examined in such manner as shall be necessary to +ascertain whether they are or are not armed French vessels, or "vessels +the property of or employed by any citizen of the United States or +person resident therein, or having on board any goods or effects +belonging to any such citizen or resident," that have been captured by +the French. But if they are of neither of these descriptions they are +to be dismissed with as little delay as possible. And in making such +examination care is to be taken that no injury be done to the vessel or +to the persons or property on board her. It peculiarly becomes a nation +like the American, contending for her just rights and defending herself +against insults and injuries, to respect the rights of others and +studiously to avoid not only the outrage and the inhumanity but even the +incivility of which itself complains. It is hoped that Americans will be +as distinguished for their justice and humanity as for their bravery and +love of true liberty. If, on the contrary, any of the officers or crews +of American armed vessels shall practice any cruelty or inhumanity +contrary to the usage of civilized nations, the offenders will be +severely punished. + +Third. For the purposes of the act aforesaid you will consider the "high +seas" to extend to low-water mark on all the coasts of France and her +dominions and of all places subject to her power in any part of the +world, and exercise accordingly the powers of capturing and recapturing +granted by the act aforesaid. By the same rule, seeing a war exists +between Great Britain and France, you may capture and recapture as +aforesaid on all the coasts of the British dominions and of all places +subject to the British power. But you are to refrain from exercising the +aforesaid powers of capturing and recapturing in waters which are under +the protection of any other nations, that their peace and sovereignty +may remain unviolated. If, however, any armed French vessel, regardless +of the rights of these other nations, shall within their jurisdictional +limits attack or capture any vessel, goods, or effects the property of +citizens of or residents in the United States, and you are able to +attack and take such armed French vessel or to retake her prize within +the jurisdictional limits of such nations, you are to do it, provided +their governments, respectively, or the commanders or governors in chief +in such places give their permission. + +Fourth. The master or pilot and one or more of the principal persons of +the company of every armed French vessel captured as aforesaid are to be +sent as soon after the capture as may be to the judge or judges of the +proper court in the United States to be examined upon oath touching the +interest or property of the captured vessel and her lading, and at the +same time are to be delivered to the judge or judges all passes, charter +parties, bills of lading, invoices, letters, and other documents and +writings found on board; the said papers to be proved by the affidavit +of the commander of the capturing vessel or some other person present +at 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 all +convenient opportunities to send to the Secretary of the Navy written +accounts of the captures they shall make, with the number and names +of the captives and intelligence of what may occur or be discovered +concerning 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, the +armed French vessels captured as aforesaid are to be sent to some port +in the United States to be tried according to law. But such captures may +happen in places remote from the United States or under circumstances +which would render the sending of the captured vessels thither extremely +inconvenient, while, from the vicinity of the ports of the British +dominions or those of any other power in friendship with the United +States, but at war with France, or from other circumstances, it would be +easy to send such captured vessels into those friendly ports. In such +cases it will be lawful to send such prizes into those friendly ports +where they will find an asylum; and if the laws of those countries admit +of it and it can be done to the satisfaction of the captors, there will +be no objection on the part of the American Government to the libeling +and trying such captured armed French vessels by the proper courts of +those, countries, where also may be delivered to the proper officers +all French persons and others who shall be found acting on board of any +French armed vessel which shall be captured or on board of any vessel +of the United States which shall be recaptured as aforesaid. + +Seventh. With respect to American vessels, goods, and effects +recaptured, it seems not necessary to bring them immediately into a port +of the United States. If brought in, they are to be restored to the +owners on the payment of salvage. But such recaptured vessels, goods, +and effects may at the time of recapture be so remote from the United +States and so near a market, or the goods and effects may be of a nature +so perishable, that to send such vessels, goods, and effects back to the +United States may prove extremely injurious to the owners and recaptors, +whereas, if permitted to proceed to their destined ports, or other +places, to a market, greater advantages may result to all concerned +therein; and as either the master, mate, or supercargo of any such +recaptured vessel is usually left on board, and with the aid of the +prizemaster and hands of the recaptors, which would be necessary to +bring her home, might proceed and complete their original or other +beneficial voyage, the commanders of the private armed vessels will in +such case consider maturely the course most proper to be pursued, as +well for the benefit of their fellow-citizens whose property they shall +thus recapture as of themselves in respect to the salvage to which they +and their crews and owners will be entitled. Nothing on this subject is +enjoined; the commanders of the private armed vessels are to use their +sound discretion. + +Eighth. If any vessel of the United States, public or private, shall be +found in distress by being attacked or taken by the French, the commanders, +officers, and company of the private armed vessels aforesaid are +to use their utmost endeavors to aid, succor, relieve, and free every such +vessel in distress. + + + +AN ACT further to protect the commerce of the United States. + +SECTION 1. _Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives +of the United States of America in Congress assembled_, That the +President of the United States shall be, and he is hereby, authorized +to instruct the commanders of the public armed vessels which are or +which shall be employed in the service of the United States to subdue, +seize, and take any armed French vessel which shall be found within +the jurisdictional limits of the United States or elsewhere on +the high seas; and such captured vessel, with her apparel, guns, and +appurtenances and the goods or effects which shall be found on board +the same, being French property, shall be brought within some port of +the United States and shall be duly proceeded against and condemned as +forfeited, and shall accrue and be distributed as by law is or shall be +provided respecting the captures which shall be made by the public armed +vessels of the United States. + +SEC. 2. _And be it further enacted_, That the President of the +United States shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to grant to the +owners of private armed ships and vessels of the United States who shall +make application therefor special commissions in the form which he shall +direct and under the seal of the United States; and such private armed +vessels, when duly commissioned as aforesaid, shall have the same +license and authority for the subduing, seizing, and capturing any armed +French vessel and for the recapture of the vessels, goods, and effects +of the people of the United States as the public armed vessels of the +United States may by law have, and shall be in like manner subject to +such instructions as shall be ordered by the President of the United +States for the regulation of their conduct; and the commissions which +shall be granted as aforesaid shall be revocable at the pleasure of the +President of the United States. + +SEC. 3. _Provided, and be it further enacted_, That every person +intending to set forth and employ an armed vessel and applying for a +commission as aforesaid shall produce in writing the name and a suitable +description of the tonnage and force of the vessel and the name and +place of residence of each owner concerned therein, the number of the +crew, and the name of the commander and the two officers next in rank +appointed for such vessel, which writing shall be signed by the person +or persons making such application and filed with the Secretary of +State, or shall be delivered to any other officer or person who shall be +employed to deliver out such commissions, to be by him transmitted to +the Secretary of State. + +SEC. 4. _And provided, and be it further enacted_, That before +any commission as aforesaid shall be issued the owner or owners of the +ship or vessel for which the same shall be requested and the commander +thereof for the time being shall give bond to the United States, with +at least two responsible sureties not interested in such vessel, in the +penal sum of $7,000, or, if such vessel be provided with more than 150 +men, then in the penal sum of $14,000, with condition that the owners +and officers and crews who shall be employed on board of such +commissioned vessel shall and will observe the treaties and laws of the +United States and the instructions which shall be given them for the +regulation of their conduct, and will satisfy all damages and injuries +which shall be done or committed contrary to the tenor thereof by such +vessel during her commission, and to deliver up the same when revoked +by 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 or +effects which shall be found on board the same, being French property, +and which shall be captured by any private armed vessel or vessels of +the United States duly commissioned as aforesaid, shall be forfeited +and shall accrue to the owners thereof and the officers and crews by +whom such captures shall be made, and on due condemnation had shall be +distributed according to any agreement which shall be between them, or, +in failure of such agreement, then by the discretion of the court before +whom such condemnation shall be. + +SEC. 6. _And be it further enacted_, That all vessels, goods, and +effects the property of any citizen of the United States or person +resident therein which shall be recaptured as aforesaid shall be +restored to the lawful owners upon payment by them, respectively, of a +just and reasonable salvage, to be determined by the mutual agreement of +the parties concerned or by the decree of any court of the United States +having maritime jurisdiction, according to the nature of each case: +_Provided_, That such allowance shall not be less than one-eighth +or exceeding one-half of the full value of such recapture, without any +deduction. And such salvage shall be distributed to and among the +owners, officers, and crews of the private armed vessel or vessels +entitled thereto according to any agreement which shall be between them, +or, in case of no agreement, then by the decree of the court who shall +determine upon such salvage. + +SEC. 7. _And be it further enacted_, That before breaking bulk of +any vessel which shall be captured as aforesaid, or other disposal or +conversion thereof, or of any articles which shall be found on board the +same, such capture shall be brought into some port of the United States +and shall be libeled and proceeded against before the district court of +the same district; and if, after a due course of proceeding, such +capture shall be decreed as forfeited in the district court, or in the +circuit court of the same district in the case of any appeal duly +allowed, the same shall be delivered to the owners and captors concerned +therein, or shall be publicly sold by the marshal of the same court, as +shall be finally decreed and ordered by the court; and the same court, +who shall have final jurisdiction of any libel or complaint of any +capture as aforesaid, shall and may decree restitution, in whole or in +part, when the capture and restraint shall have been made without just +cause as aforesaid, and if made without probable cause or otherwise +unreasonably may order and decree damages and costs to the party +injured, and for which the owners, officers, and crews of the private +armed vessel or vessels by which such unjust capture shall have been +made, and also such vessel or vessels, shall be answerable and liable. + +SEC. 8. _And be it further enacted_, That all French persons and +others who shall be found acting on board any French armed vessel which +shall be captured, or on board of any vessel of the United States which +shall be recaptured as aforesaid, shall be reported to the collector of +the port in which they shall first arrive, and shall be delivered to the +custody of the marshal or of some civil or military officer of the +United States or of any State in or near such port, who shall take +charge for their safe-keeping and support, at the expense of the United +States. + +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 UNITED +STATES, GIVEN AT PHILADELPHIA THE 10TH DAY OF JULY, A.D. 1798, AND IN +THE TWENTY-THIRD YEAR OF OUR INDEPENDENCE. + +In pursuance of the acts of Congress passed the 27th day of May, the +20th 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 or +pretense of authority from the French Republic which shall be found +within the jurisdictional limits of the United States or elsewhere on +the high seas, and such captured vessel, with her apparel, guns, and +appurtenances and the goods and effects which shall be found on board of +the same, to bring within some port of the United States; and also +retake any vessel, goods, and effects of the United States or persons +resident therein which may have been captured by any French vessel, in +order that proceedings may be had concerning such capture or recapture +in 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 UNITED +STATES, GIVEN AT THE NAVY DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 29, 1798. + +SIR: It is the positive command of the President that on no pretense +whatever you permit the public vessel of war under your command to be +detained or searched nor any of the officers or men belonging to her to +be taken from her by the ships or vessels of any foreign nation so long +as you are in a capacity to repel such outrage on the honor of the +American flag. If force should be exerted to compel your submission, +you are to resist that force to the utmost of your power, and when +overpowered by superior force you are to strike your flag and thus yield +your vessel as well as your men, but never your men without your vessel. + +You will remember, however, that your demeanor be respectful and +friendly to the vessels and people of all nations in amity with the +United States, and that you avoid as carefully the commission of as the +submission 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 THE +SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES. + +NAVY DEPARTMENT, _March 12, 1799._ + +SIR: Herewith you will receive an act of Congress "further to suspend +the commercial intercourse between the United States and France and the +dependencies thereof," the whole of which requires your attention; but +it is the command of the President that you consider particularly the +fifth section as part of your instructions and govern yourself +accordingly. + +A proper discharge of the important duties arising out of this act will +require the exercise of a sound and an impartial judgment. You are not +only to do all that in you lies to prevent all intercourse, whether +direct or circuitous, between the ports of the United States and those +of France or her dependencies in cases where the vessels or cargoes are +apparently, as well as really, American and protected by American papers +only, but you are to be vigilant that vessels or cargoes really +American, but covered by Danish or other foreign papers and bound to or +from French ports, do not escape you. Whenever, on just suspicion, you +send a vessel into port to be dealt with according to the aforementioned +law, besides sending with her all her papers send all the evidence you +can obtain to support your suspicions and effect her condemnation. At +the same time that you are thus attentive to fulfill the objects of the +law you are to be extremely careful not to harass or injure the trade of +foreign nations with whom we are at peace nor the fair trade of our own +citizens. + +A misconstruction of his authority by Captain Nicholson in relation to +vessels of friendly nations captured by the French renders it necessary +that I should make some explanatory observations on that subject. Our +laws direct the capture of all armed vessels sailing under authority or +pretense of authority from the French Republic. A vessel captured by the +citizens of France must be considered as sailing under the authority +of France, and it is scarcely to be supposed that in times like the +present, when few vessels sail without arms, a captured vessel in +possession of the captors will be so circumstanced as not to come under +the description of an armed vessel within the meaning of our laws. To +justify a recapture nothing is necessary but that the vessel be provided +with such means of annoyance as will render her dangerous to an unarmed +American vessel in pursuit of lawful commerce. If, however, the vessel +can not be considered an armed vessel within the meaning of our laws, +you are not to recapture her unless you should have probable cause to +suspect that the citizens of the United States or persons resident +therein have some interest in the vessel or cargo. + +It is always your duty to recapture American property and property of +persons resident within the United States whenever found in possession +of 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 its +beloved chief, General George Washington. Sharing in the grief which +every heart must feel for so heavy and afflicting a public loss, and +desirous to express his high sense of the vast debt of gratitude which +is due to the virtues, talents, and ever-memorable services of the +illustrious deceased, he directs that funeral honors be paid to him at +all the military stations, and that the officers of the Army and of +the several corps of volunteers wear crape on the left arm by way of +mourning for six months. Major-General Hamilton will give the necessary +orders for carrying into effect the foregoing directions. + +Given at the War Office of the United States, in Philadelphia, this 19th +day of December, A.D. 1799, and in the twenty-fourth year of the +Independence 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 the +marines the death of our beloved fellow-citizen, George Washington, +commander of our armies and late President of the United States, but +rendered more illustrious by his eminent virtues and a long series of +the most important services than by the honors which his grateful +country delighted to confer upon him. + +Desirous that the Navy and marines should express, in common with every +other description of American citizens, the high sense which all feel of +the loss our country has sustained in the death of this good and great +man, the President directs that the vessels of the Navy in our own and +foreign ports be put in mourning for one week by wearing their colors +half-mast high, and that the officers of the Navy and of the marines +wear 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 an +affectionate sympathy which must pervade the hearts of his beloved +fellow citizen soldiers, the Blues, Brigadier-General MacPherson +announces the following communication: + +PHILADELPHIA, _December 21, 1799_. + +Major-General Hamilton has received through the Secretary of War +the following order from the President of the United States: + +[For order see preceding page.] + +The impressive terms in which this great national calamity is announced +by the President could receive no new force from anything that might be +added. The voice of praise would in vain endeavor to exalt a character +unrivaled on the lists of true glory. Words would in vain attempt to +give utterance to that profound and reverential grief which will +penetrate every American bosom and engage the sympathy of an admiring +world. If the sad privilege of preeminence in sorrow may justly be +claimed by the companions in arms of our lamented Chief, their +affections 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 are +paying 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 the +irreparable loss of a kind and venerated patron and father! + +In obedience to the directions of the President, the following funeral +honors will be paid at the several stations of the Army: + +At daybreak sixteen guns will be fired in quick succession and one gun +at a distance of each half hour till sunset. + +During the procession of the troops to the place representing that of +the interment and until the conclusion of the ceremonial minute guns +will be fired. + +The bier will be received by the troops formed in line presenting their +arms and the officers, drums, and colors saluting. After this the +procession will begin, the troops marching by platoons in inverted order +and with arms reversed to the place of interment, the drums muffled and +the 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 be +followed by the troops on foot. Where there is no cavalry, a detachment +of infantry will precede the bier, which itself will in every case be +preceded by such of the clergy as may be present. The officers of the +general staff will immediately succeed the bier. + +Where a numerous body of citizens shall be united with the military in +the procession, the whole of the troops will precede the bier, which +will then be followed by the citizens. + +When arrived near the place of interment, the procession will halt, the +troops 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 then +pass through the ranks, the troops leaning on their arms, reversed, +while the bier passes. When the bier shall have passed, the troops will +resume their position in line, and, reversing their arms, will remain +leaning upon them until the ceremonial shall be closed. + +The music will now perform a solemn air, after which the introductory +part 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 the +volunteer corps. + +The commanders at particular stations, conforming generally to this +plan, will make such exceptions as will accommodate it to situation. At +places where processions of unarmed citizens shall take place it is the +wish of the Major-General that the military ceremonial should be united, +and the particular commanders at those places are authorized to vary the +plan so as to adapt it to the circumstances. + +Brigadier-General MacPherson is charged to superintend the ceremonial in +the city of Philadelphia; Major Tousard will attend to Fort Mifflin and +will cooperate with him. + +The day of performing the ceremonial at each station is left to the +particular commander. + +Major-General Pinckney will make such further arrangements within his +district as he shall deem expedient. + +PHILIP CHURCH, + _Aid-de-Camp._ + +In conformity to the above the volunteers of the city and county of +Philadelphia in the service of the United States will parade, completely +equipped, at the manege, in Chesnut street, on Thursday next, the 26th +instant, at 10 o'clock a.m. The officers, together with the uniform +companies of militia who may think proper to join on this mournful +occasion, will please to signify their intention to Brigadier-General +MacPherson 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 sad +tribute of veneration to the manes of the late Commander in Chief of the +Armies 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 Senator +W.C. Rives, of Virginia, delivered in the United States Senate February +12, 1839, on a bill to prevent the interference of certain Federal +officers in elections. (See Congressional Globe, Twenty-fifth Congress, +third session, Vol. VII, Appendix, p. 409.) This order President +Jefferson caused to be issued by the heads of the several Departments +shortly after his inauguration, March 4, 1801. References are made to +it in several publications, but the originals could not be found.] + +The President of the United States has seen with dissatisfaction +officers of the General Government taking on various occasions active +parts in elections of the public functionaries, whether of the General +or of the State Governments. Freedom of elections being essential to the +mutual independence of governments and of the different branches of the +same government, so vitally cherished by most of our constitutions, it +is deemed improper for officers depending on the Executive of the Union +to attempt to control or influence the free exercise of the elective +right. This I am instructed, therefore, to notify to all officers within +my Department holding their appointments under the authority of the +President directly, and to desire them to notify to all subordinate +to them. The right of any officer to give his vote at elections as a +qualified citizen is not meant to be restrained, nor, however given, +shall it have any effect to his prejudice; but it is expected that he +will not attempt to influence the votes of others nor take any part in +the business of electioneering, that being deemed inconsistent with the +spirit 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 unfamiliar +with the course of business previously practiced, it was not to be +expected we should in the first outset adopt in every part a line of +proceeding so perfect as to admit no amendment. The mode and degrees +of communication, particularly between the Presidents and heads of +Departments, have not been practiced exactly on the same scale in all of +them. Yet it would certainly be more safe and satisfactory for ourselves +as well as the public that not only the best but also an uniform course +of proceeding as to manner and degree should be observed. Having been +a member of the first Administration under General Washington, I can +state with exactness what our course then was. Letters of business came +addressed sometimes to the President, but most frequently to the heads +of Departments. If addressed to himself, he referred them to the proper +Department to be acted on. If to one of the Secretaries, the letter, if +it required no answer, was communicated to the President simply for his +information. If an answer was requisite, the Secretary of the Department +communicated the letter and his proposed answer to the President. +Generally they were simply sent back after perusal, which signified +his 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 accurate +possession of all facts and proceedings in every part of the Union, and +to whatsoever Department they related; he formed a central point for the +different branches; preserved an unity of object and action among them; +exercised that participation in the suggestion of affairs which his +office made incumbent on him, and met himself the due responsibility +for whatever was done. During Mr. Adams's Administration his long and +habitual absences from the seat of Government rendered this kind of +communication impracticable, removed him from any share in the +transaction of affairs, and parceled out the Government, in fact, among +four 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 up +once a day a packet of all their communications for the perusal of the +President; it commonly also retarded one day their dispatches by mail; +but in pressing cases this injury was prevented by presenting that +case singly for immediate attention, and it produced us in return the +benefit of his sanction for every act we did. Whether any change of +circumstances may render a change in this procedure necessary a little +experience will show us. But I can not withhold recommending to heads of +Departments that we should adopt this course for the present, leaving +any necessary modifications of it to time and trial. I am sure my +conduct must have proved better than a thousand declarations would that +my confidence in those whom I am so happy as to have associated with +me is unlimited, unqualified, and unabated. I am well satisfied that +everything goes on with a wisdom and rectitude which I could not +improve. If I had the universe to choose from, I could not change one +of my associates to my better satisfaction. My sole motives are those +before expressed, as governing the first Administration in chalking out +the rules of their proceeding, adding to them only a sense of obligation +imposed on me by the public will to meet personally the duties to which +they have appointed me. If this mode of proceeding shall meet the +approbation of the heads of Departments, it may go into execution +without giving them the trouble of an answer. If any other can be +suggested which would answer our views and add less to their labors, +that will be a sufficient reason for my preferring it to my own +proposition, to the substance of which only, and not the form, I attach +any 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 any +extraordinary expenses attending the intercourse between the United +States and foreign nations," passed on the 13th day of February, 1806, +and of which the annexed is an official exemplification, I, Thomas +Jefferson, President of the United States of America, do hereby +authorize and empower Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury of the +United States, to take all proper and necessary measures for placing the +$2,000,000 appropriated by the act above recited at the joint disposal +of John Armstrong and James Bowdoin, commissioners plenipotentiary and +extraordinary for settling all matters of difference between the United +States and the Government of Spain, and, in case of the death of one of +them, at the disposal of the survivor, to be jointly applied by the said +John Armstrong and James Bowdoin, or, in case of the death of one of +them, by the survivor, to such purposes as I may think proper to direct +in my instructions to them; and for so doing this shall be his +sufficient warrant. + +In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the United States to be +hereunto 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, AND +MISSISSIPPI. + +WASHINGTON, _March 21, 1807._ + +SIR: Although the present state of things on the western side of the +Mississippi does not threaten any immediate collision with our neighbors +in that quarter and it is our wish they should remain undisturbed until +an amicable adjustment may take place, yet as this does not depend on +ourselves alone it has been thought prudent to be prepared to meet any +movements which may occur. The law of a former session of Congress for +keeping a body of 100,000 militia in readiness for service at a moment's +warning is still in force, but by an act of the last session, a copy of +which I now inclose, the Executive is authorized to accept the services +of such volunteers as shall offer themselves on the conditions of the +act, which may render a resort to the former act unnecessary. It is +for the execution of this act that I am now to solicit your zealous +endeavors. The persons who shall engage will not be called from their +homes until some aggression, committed or intended, shall render it +necessary. When called into action it will not be for a lounging but +for an active and perhaps distant service. I know the effect of this +consideration 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 transfer +this service from the great mass of our militia to that portion of them +to whose habits and enterprise active and distant service is most +congenial. In using, therefore, your best exertions toward accomplishing +the object of this act you will render to your constituents as well as +to the nation a most acceptable service. + +With respect to the organizing and officering those who shall be engaged +within your State the act itself will be your guide, and as it is +desirable that we should be kept informed of the progress in this +business I must pray you to report the same from time to time to the +Secretary of War, who will correspond with you on all the details +arising 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 Albert +Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury_: + +By virtue of the act entitled "An act authorizing a loan of money +for a sum not exceeding the amount of the principal of the public debt +reimbursable during the year 1810," passed on the 1st day of May, 1810, +I do hereby authorize and empower you, by yourself or any other person +or persons, to borrow on behalf of the United States, of the Bank of the +United States, any sum not exceeding in the whole $3,750,000, and to +make or cause to be made for that purpose such contract as shall be +necessary and for the interest of the said States, pursuant to the act +aforesaid; 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 forces +blockading 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 the +vigilant interposition of all the naval officers of the United States. + +This intercourse is not only carried on by foreigners, under the +specious garb of friendly flags, who convey provisions, water, and +succors of all kinds (ostensibly destined for friendly ports, in the +face, too, of a declared and rigorous blockade) direct to the fleets +and stations of the enemy, with constant intelligence of our naval +and military force and preparation and the means of continuing and +conducting the invasion, to the greatest possible annoyance of the +country, but the same traffic, intercourse, and intelligence is carried +on with great subtility and treachery by profligate citizens, who, in +vessels ostensibly navigating our own waters from port to port, under +cover of night or other circumstances favoring their turpitude, find +means to convey succors or intelligence to the enemy and elude the +penalty of the law. This lawless traffic and intercourse is also carried +on to a great extent in craft whose capacity exempts them from the +regulations of the revenue laws and from the vigilance which vessels +of greater capacity attract. + +I am therefore commanded by the President of the United States to enjoin +and direct all naval commanding officers to exercise the strictest +vigilance and to stop and detain all vessels or craft whatsoever +proceeding or apparently intending to proceed toward the enemy's vessels +within the waters or hovering about the harbors of the United States, or +toward any station occupied by the enemy within the jurisdiction of the +United States, from which vessels or craft the enemy might derive +succors or intelligence. + +W. JONES. + + + +[From Congressional Globe, Vol. V, p. 323.] + +TREASURY DEPARTMENT, _February 22, 1836_. + +_To Receivers of Public Moneys, Collectors, Disbursing Officers, and +the Deposit Banks of the United States_: + +The established policy of the Treasury Department, so far as may be +practicable under its present powers over the collection, keeping, and +disbursement of the public money, is to diminish the circulation of +small bank notes and to substitute specie, and especially gold, for such +notes, with the view of rendering the currency of the country, through +which its fiscal operations are performed, more safe, sound, and +uniform. In pursuance of that policy, a circular was issued last April +which prohibited after the 30th September, 1835, the receipt on account +of the Government of any bank notes of a less denomination than $5, and +which intimated that other steps to promote the desirable objects before +named would in due time be taken. + +Consequently, in further pursuance of the same policy, you are hereby +required after the 1st of May next not to pay the demands of any public +officer 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 of +July next not to receive or pay on account of the Government any bank +notes of a less denomination than $10. + +All the deposit banks are requested to supply themselves with such a +quantity of American gold coin as to be able to pay, and when a public +officer or creditor prefers it, and his demand does not exceed $500, to +pay at least one-fifth of such demand in that coin. It is also requested +that the deposit banks will not after the 4th of July next issue any +notes of a less denomination than $5, and that after the 3d of March, +1837, they will not, unless the subject be otherwise regulated by +Congress, issue any notes of a less denomination than $10. It is +believed that the amount of gold which by that time shall be coined at +the Mint will be sufficient to admit of the convenient substitution of +it for small notes in a much greater extent than at present; and it is +deemed reasonable that while the deposit banks have the use, without +interest, of unusually large sums of the public money they should make +some further temporary sacrifices to obtain and circulate gold and in +other respects to enlarge the specie basis of our circulating medium. + +From these considerations and from the liberal spirit evinced by most +of the public depositories in a late correspondence with them on this +subject, it is confidently expected that in this state of things they +will cheerfully comply with the above requests and with all others which +have been made by the Department with a view of improving the currency; +nor will it, I trust, be considered unjust or impolitic, while the +deposit banks shall continue to enjoy great privileges from the +Treasury, to regard a neglect or refusal by any of them to comply with +those requests as sufficient cause for discontinuing the employment of +such banks as fiscal agents. + +At a proper time it will be decided under what circumstances and at what +periods these restrictions on the agents and officers of the Treasury +shall be extended to notes of any denomination under $20. + +This communication is made with the sanction of the President of the +United States, and it is hoped that till otherwise prescribed by +Congress or by this Department these requirements and requests will be +faithfully complied with by all the fiscal agents of this Department and +all 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 MONEY +AND 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, and +the aid which is said to be given to effect these objects by excessive +bank credits and dangerous, if not partial, facilities through bank +drafts and bank deposits, and the general evil influence likely to +result to the public interests, and especially the safety of the great +amount of money in the Treasury, and the sound condition of the currency +of the country from the further exchange of the national domain in this +manner, and chiefly for bank credits and paper money, the President of +the United States has given directions, and you are hereby instructed, +after the 15th day of August next, to receive in payment of the public +lands nothing except what is directed by the existing laws, viz, gold +and silver, and in the proper cases Virginia land scrip: _Provided_, +That till the 15th of December next the same indulgences heretofore +extended as to the kind of money received may be continued for any +quantity of land not exceeding 320 acres to each purchaser who is an +actual settler or _bona fide_ resident in the State where the sales +are made. + +In order to insure the faithful execution of these instructions, all +receivers are strictly prohibited from accepting for land sold any +draft, certificate, or other evidence of money or deposit, though +for specie, unless signed by the Treasurer of the United States in +conformity to the act of April 24, 1820; and each of those officers is +required to annex to his monthly returns to this Department the amount +of gold and of silver, respectively, as well as the bills, received +under the foregoing exception; and each deposit bank is required to +annex to every certificate given upon a deposit of money the proportions +of it actually paid in gold, in silver, and in bank notes. All former +instructions on these subjects, except as now modified, will be +considered as remaining in full force. + +The principal objects of the President in adopting this measure being +to repress alleged frauds and to withhold any countenance or facilities +in the power of the Government from the monopoly of the public lands in +the hands of speculators and capitalists, to the injury of the actual +settlers in the new States and of emigrants in search of new homes, as +well as to discourage the ruinous extension of bank issues and bank +credits by which those results are generally supposed to be promoted, +your utmost vigilance is required and relied on to carry this order +into 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 for +Washington and surrounded by much company, I have but a moment to reply +to it. + +In relation to your observations respecting the apportionment of the +10,000 volunteers, I need not say more here than that the requisition on +the governor of the State was a sufficient guide for the organization +of 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 West +Tennessee, and there could be no authority to muster more into the +service. The remainder of the 10,000 had been required from other +States and Territories. + +I have turned to the letter of the Adjutant-General to which you have +called my attention. You will find, I think, that it relates to the +volunteers called for agreeably to the requisition on the governor of +Tennessee for 2,500. I can not suppose that it was expected of you to +receive a greater number than this into the service. + +As you have the treaty before you and the instructions of the Acting +Secretary of War, I do not see that I can add anything more on this +subject at present. The treaty is to be religiously fulfilled. You may +assure all concerned that no modification or alteration in it will be +made by me. Of this Mr. John Ross is fully advised. His friend, Mr. +Standefer, who waited upon me at Washington and made the inquiry whether +I would agree to a supplemental article admitting the Rosses and their +delegation in as chiefs, was informed that I would not. You will +therefore make known to the Cherokee people that no alteration in the +treaty will be made, but that all its terms and conditions will be +faithfully and fully executed. Should you find any evil-disposed white +man 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 they +refuse to go, the facts being thoroughly established, you will take the +steps necessary to put them out. Such characters must be considered in +the light of intruders, prohibited by the treaty from living within the +limits of the nation. + +You will caution John Ross from calling any council of the Cherokee +people with the view of opposing or altering the treaty. He knows that +there will be no further negotiation on the subject; that the Cherokees +are to emigrate in two years from the ratification of the treaty, and +will be obliged to go within that period; that the collisions between +them and the whites have been too long continued for the gratification +of himself at the expense of the poor in the nation. + +I have had a letter from Governor Carroll. He will leave Pontotoc at as +early a moment as he can, and expects to meet Governor Lumpkin early in +October 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 portion +of the territory of Great Britain between portions of the population and +the Government some of our citizens may, from their connection with the +settlers and from their love of enterprise and desire of change, be +induced to forget their duty to their own Government and its obligations +to foreign powers. It is the fixed determination of the President +faithfully to discharge, so far as his power extends, all the +obligations of this Government, and that obligation especially which +requires that we shall abstain under every temptation from intermeddling +with the domestic disputes of other nations. You are therefore earnestly +enjoined to be attentive to all movements of a hostile character +contemplated or attempted within your district, and to prosecute without +discrimination all violators of those laws of the United States which +have been enacted to preserve peace with foreign powers and to fulfill +all 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 and +the 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 Britain +adjoining the United States between portions of the population and +government, during which attempts may be made to violate the laws of the +United States passed to preserve the relations of amity with foreign +powers and to fulfill the obligations of our treaties with them, by the +directions of the President I have the honor to request the attention +of your excellency to any movements of that character that may be +contemplated in the State of New York and your prompt interference to +arrest the parties concerned if any preparations are made of a hostile +nature 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, directing +that all flags, standards, and colors taken by the Army and Navy of the +United States from their enemies be preserved and displayed under the +direction of the President of the United States in such public place as +he shall deem proper, the Secretary of War is directed to take measures +to cause the flags, standards, and colors taken by the Army of the +United States from their enemies in the recent war with Mexico to be +deposited for the purpose specified in the act in the Military Academy +at 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 just +received. Assuming that you, upon the ground, could better judge of the +necessities of your position than I could at this distance, on seeing +your proclamation of August 30 I perceived no general objection to it. +The particular clause, however, in relation to the confiscation of +property and the liberation of slaves appeared to me to be objectionable +in its nonconformity to the act of Congress passed the 6th of last +August upon the same subjects, and hence I wrote you expressing my wish +that that clause should be modified accordingly. Your answer, just +received, expresses the preference on your part that I should make an +open order for the modification, which I very cheerfully do. It is +therefore ordered that the said clause of said proclamation be so +modified, held, and construed as to conform to and not to transcend the +provisions 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 with +this 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 the +following subject: + +Persons claimed to be held to service or labor under the laws of the +State of Virginia and actually employed in hostile service against the +Government of the United States frequently escape from the lines of the +enemy's forces and are received within the lines of the Army of the +Potomac. + +This Department understands that such persons afterwards coming into the +city of Washington are liable to be arrested by the city police upon the +presumption, arising from color, that they are fugitives from service or +labor. + +By the fourth section of the act of Congress approved August 6, 1861, +entitled "An act to confiscate property used for insurrectionary +purposes," such hostile employment is made a full and sufficient answer +to any further claim to service or labor. Persons thus employed and +escaping are received into the military protection of the United +States, and their arrest as fugitives from service or labor should be +immediately followed by the military arrest of the parties making the +seizure. + +Copies of this communication will be sent to the mayor of the city of +Washington and to the marshal of the District of Columbia, that any +collision 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 to +say that your dispatch of the 18th ultimo, with the accompanying report +of General Phelps concerning certain fugitive negroes that have come to +his pickets, has been considered by the President. + +He is of opinion that under the law of Congress they can not be sent +back to their master; that in common humanity they must not be permitted +to suffer for want of food, shelter, or other necessaries of life; that +to this end they should be provided for by the Quartermaster's and +Commissary's departments, and that those who are capable of labor should +be set to work and paid reasonable wages. + +In directing this to be done the President does not mean at present to +settle any general rule in respect to slaves or slavery, but simply to +provide for the particular case under the circumstances in which it is +now 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 take +possession of railroad and telegraph lines, etc., passed February 4, +1862, the President directs that you take immediate military possession +of the telegraph lines lately established between Philadelphia and +Boston, called the Independent Telegraph Company, and _forbid_ the +transmission of any intelligence relating to the movements of the Army +of the Potomac or any military forces of the United States. In case this +order is violated arrest and imprison the perpetrators in Fort Delaware, +reporting to the Department. If the management of the line will +stipulate to transmit no military intelligence without the sanction of +the War Department, they need not be interfered with so long as the +engagement is fulfilled. This order will be executed so as not to +interfere 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 necessary +and proper to enable the loyal people of Tennessee to present such a +republican form of State government as will entitle the State to the +guaranty of the United States therefor and to be protected under such +State government by the United States against invasion and domestic +violence, all according to the fourth section of the fourth article of +the 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 be +recruited in the States of Maryland, Missouri, and Tennessee, it is-- + +_Ordered by the President_, That the chief of the bureau for +organizing colored troops shall establish recruiting stations at +convenient 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 be +credited with the recruits enlisted. + +Third. All persons enlisted into the military service shall forever +thereafter be free. + +Fourth. Free persons, and slaves with the written consent of their +owners, and slaves belonging to those who have been engaged in or given +aid and comfort to the rebellion may be now enlisted, the owners who +have not been engaged in or given aid to the rebellion being entitled to +receive compensation as hereafter provided. + +Fifth. If within thirty days from the date of opening enlistments, +notice thereof and of the recruiting stations being published, a +sufficient number of the description of persons aforesaid to meet the +exigencies of the service shall not be enlisted, then enlistments may be +made of slaves without requiring consent of their owners; but they may +receive compensation as herein provided for owners offering their slaves +for enlistment. + +Sixth. Any citizen of said States who shall offer his or her slave for +enlistment into the military service shall if such slave be accepted +receive from the recruiting officer a certificate thereof and become +entitled to compensation for the service or labor of said slave, not +exceeding the sum of $300, upon filing a valid deed of manumission and +of release and making satisfactory proof of title; and the recruiting +officer shall furnish to any claimant a descriptive list of any person +enlisted and claimed under oath to be his or her slave, and allow anyone +claiming under oath that his or her slave has been enlisted without his +or her consent the privilege of inspecting the enlisted men for the +purpose 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 public +information, and on demand exhibited to any person claiming that his or +her slave has been enlisted against his or her will. + +Eighth. If any person shall within ten days after the filing of said +rolls make a claim for the service of any person so enlisted, the board +shall proceed to examine the proofs of title, and if valid shall award +just compensation, not exceeding $300, for each slave enlisted belonging +to the claimant, and upon the claimant's filing a valid deed of +manumission and release of service the board shall give the claimant a +certificate of the sum awarded, which on presentation shall be paid by +the chief of the bureau. + +Ninth. All enlistments of colored troops in the State of Maryland +otherwise than in accordance with these regulations are forbidden. + +Tenth. No person who is or has been engaged in rebellion against the +Government of the United States, or who in any way has given or shall +give aid or comfort to the enemies of the Government, shall be permitted +to present any claim or receive any compensation for the labor or +service of any slave, and all claimants shall file with their claim an +oath 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 no +conference with General Lee unless it be for the capitulation of General +Lee's army or on some minor and purely military matter. He instructs me +to say that you are not to decide, discuss, or confer upon any political +question. Such questions the President holds in his own hands and will +submit them to no military conferences or conventions. Meantime you are +to 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 was +specially pardoned by the President on the 27th ultimo, and was +thereby restored to all his rights of property except as to slaves. +Notwithstanding this, it is understood that the possession of his +property is withheld from him. I have therefore to direct that General +Fisk, assistant commissioner at Nashville, Tenn., be instructed by the +Chief Commissioner of Bureau of Freedmen, etc., to relinquish possession +of 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 portions +of circulars from this Bureau conflicting with the provisions of this +circular are hereby rescinded. + +II. This Bureau has charge of such "tracts of land within the +insurrectionary States as shall have been abandoned or to which the +United States shall have acquired title by confiscation or sale or +otherwise," and no such lands now in its possession shall be surrendered +to any claimant except as hereinafter provided. + +III. Abandoned lands are defined in section 2 of the act of Congress +approved July 2, 1864, as lands "the lawful owner whereof shall be +voluntarily 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 condemned +and sold by decree of the United States court for the district in which +the property may be found, and the title thereto thus vested in the +United States. + +V. Upon its appearing satisfactorily to any assistant commissioner that +any property under his control is not abandoned as above defined and +that the United States has acquired no title to it by confiscation, +sale, or otherwise, he will formally surrender it to the authorized +claimant or claimants, promptly reporting his action to the +Commissioner. + +VI. Assistant commissioners will prepare accurate descriptions of all +confiscated and abandoned lands under their control, keeping a record +thereof themselves and forwarding monthly to the Commissioner copies of +these descriptions in the manner prescribed in Circular No. 10, of July +11, 1865, from this Bureau. + +They will set apart so much of said lands as is necessary for the +immediate use of loyal refugees and freedmen, being careful to select +for this purpose those lands which most clearly fall under the control +of this Bureau, which selection must be submitted to the Commissioner +for his approval. + +The specific division of lands so set apart into lots and the rental or +sale thereof, according to section 4 of the law establishing the Bureau, +will be completed as soon as practicable and reported to the +Commissioner. + +VII. Abandoned lands held by this Bureau may be restored to owners +pardoned by the President by the assistant commissioners, to whom +applications for such restoration should be forwarded, so far as +practicable, through the superintendents of the districts in which the +lands are situated. + +Each application must be accompanied by-- + +First. Evidence of special pardon by the President or a copy of the oath +of amnesty prescribed in the President's proclamation of May 29, +1865,[180] when the applicant is not included in any of the classes +therein excepted from the benefits of said oath. + +Second. Proof of title. + +Officers of the Bureau through whom the application passes will indorse +thereon such facts as may assist the assistant commissioner in his +decision, stating especially the use made by the Bureau of the land. + +VIII. No land under cultivation by loyal refugees or freedmen will be +restored under this circular until the crops now growing shall be +secured for the benefit of the cultivators unless full and just +compensation be made for their labor and its products and for their +expenditures. + +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 from +confinement and permitted to return to and remain in the State of +Alabama and to visit such other places in the United States as his +personal business may render absolutely necessary, upon the following +conditions, viz, that he takes the oath of allegiance to the United +States and gives his parole of honor to conduct himself as a loyal +citizen of the same and to report himself in person at any time and +place to answer any charges that may hereafter be prepared against him +by 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 military +courts and have been imprisoned six months, except those who are under +sentence for the crimes of murder, arson, or rape, and excepting those +who are under sentence at the Tortugas, be discharged from imprisonment +and the residue of their sentence remitted. Those who belong to the +military service and their term unexpired will be returned to their +command if it is still in service, and their release is conditional upon +their 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 Spain +for the adjustment of the question of reclamation arising from the +capture of the _Virginius_, entered into upon the 27th February, +1875, and duly ratified upon the 11th day of March, 1875, the Spanish +Government 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 of +those of the ship's company and of such of the passengers as were +citizens of the United States who were executed, and to afford +compensation to such of the ship's company and to such passengers as in +like manner were citizens of the United States who were detained and +suffered loss, excluding from any participation therein all individuals +indemnified as British subjects; and + +Whereas it was therein further provided that when such amount should +have been received the President of the United States would proceed to +distribute the same among the parties entitled thereto, in the form and +manner which he may judge most equitable; and + +Whereas such amount has been duly paid at Madrid and the proceeds +thereof are now in possession of the Government of the United States: + +Now, therefore, pursuant to the provisions of article 3 of said +convention, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do +hereby direct that such amount so received shall be distributed among +the parties entitled thereto in the following amounts and proportions +and pursuant to the following rules: + +I. The amounts allowed are determined with a general reference to +the rates of wages of officers and crew. All of the ship's company +(constituting the crew) are to be regarded and considered as American +seamen; but inasmuch as the British Government has demanded and received +from Spain certain indemnity and promises of further conditional +indemnity for and on account of certain of the crew as being British +subjects, those of the crew or passengers who were British subjects, or +who have been claimed as such by the British Government, and for whom +the British Government demanded or received indemnity from Spain, are to +be excluded from the distribution to be made of the indemnity above +referred to. + +II. Distribution will be made on account of those who were executed as +follows: + +For each one (being thirteen in number) of the ship's company rated or +serving as fireman, mariner, cook, cabin boy, or otherwise than as one +of the officers or petty officers hereafter mentioned, who was executed, +and excluding those referred to above, and also to each passenger who +was executed, being at the time an American citizen, the sum of $2,500. + +For each assistant engineer, second, third, fourth engineer or third +mate, 40 per cent in addition to the above sum; that is to say, $3,500 +each. + +For the first mate and first engineer, 80 per cent in addition to the +said above-mentioned sum; that is to say, $4,500 each. + +For the captain, 150 per cent in addition to the said above-mentioned +sum; 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 legally +appointed 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 equal +shares. + +(5) If the deceased shall have left no widow, child, parent, brother, or +sister, no amount is to be paid on his account. + +There shall be allowed to each of the ship's company and to such of the +passengers as were citizens of the United States who were detained and +suffered loss, to be paid on the conditions hereinafter provided, as +follows: + +To each of the ship's crew who was under the age of 21 years at the time +of the capture, or who was reported at the time as under that age, and +to 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 was +rated as being a fireman, mariner, cook, cabin boy, or otherwise than as +one of the officers or petty officers hereafter mentioned, 40 per cent +in 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 the +above-allowed sum; that is to say, $450 to each. + +In case any of such persons so entitled to payment shall have died, such +amount shall be paid to the family of the deceased as provided in +Article III. + +IV. The proofs as to all the necessary facts in each case, including +identity, relationship, and citizenship, shall be made to the +satisfaction of the Department of State as a condition of payment, and a +naturalized citizen, where proof of citizenship is necessary, shall +produce his certificate of naturalization and furnish satisfactory +proof, if required, as to residence and his right, to such certificate. + +V. Payments will be made to the parties entitled thereto through the +Department of State, or in checks to their order, and will not be made +to attorneys. + +VI. Prior to any payment being made the party entitled thereto shall +sign and duly acknowledge before some competent officer a receipt and +release, stating that the sum so paid is received in full satisfaction +of any claim or reclamations of any sort which may exist or which might +be advanced against the Spanish Government by reason of the capture of +the _Virginius_ or the acts of the Spanish authorities connected +therewith. + +VII. Should any further order or direction be required, the same will +hereafter be made as an addition hereto. + +In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at the city of +Washington, this 21st day of July, A.D. 1875, and of the Independence of +the 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 some +observations upon the occasion and objects which have led him to invite +you as members of the commission about to visit the State of Louisiana +to undertake this public service. + +Upon assuming his office the President finds the situation of affairs in +Louisiana such as to justly demand his prompt and solicitous attention, +for this situation presents as one of its features the apparent +intervention of the military power of the United States in the domestic +controversies which unhappily divide the opinions and disturb the +harmony of the people of that State. This intervention, arising during +the term and by the authority of his predecessor, throws no present duty +upon the President except to examine and determine the real extent and +form and effect to which such intervention actually exists, and to +decide as to the time, manner, and conditions which should be observed +in putting an end to it. It is in aid of his intelligent and prompt +discharge of this duty that the President has sought the service of this +commission to supply by means of its examination, conducted in the State +of Louisiana, some information that may be pertinent to the +circumspection and security of any measure he may resolve upon. + +It will be readily understood that the service desired of and intrusted +to this commission does not include any examination into or report upon +the facts of the recent State election or of the canvass of the votes +cast at such election. So far as attention to these subjects may be +necessary the President can not but feel that the reports of the +committees of the two Houses of Congress and other public information at +hand will dispense with and should preclude any original exploration by +the commission of that field of inquiry. + +But it is most pertinent and important in coming to a decision upon the +precise question of Executive duty before him that the President should +know what are the real impediments to regular, legal, and peaceful +procedures under the laws and constitution of the State of Louisiana by +which the anomalies in government there presented may be put in course +of settlement without involving the element of military power as either +an agent or a makeweight in such solution. The successful ascertainment +of these impediments the President would confidently expect would +indicate to the people of that State the wisdom and the mode of their +removal. The unusual circumstances which attended and followed the State +election and canvass, from its relation to the excited feelings and +interests of the Presidential election, may have retarded within the +State of Louisiana the persuasive influences by which the great social +and material interests common to the whole people of a State, and the +pride of the American character as a law-abiding nation, ameliorate +the disappointments and dissolve the resentments of close and zealous +political contests. But the President both hopes and believes that the +great body of the people of Louisiana are now prepared to treat the +unsettled results of their State election with a calm and conciliatory +spirit. If it be too much to expect a complete concurrence in a single +government for that State, at least the President may anticipate a +submission to the peaceful resources of the laws and the constitution of +the State of all their discussions, at once relieving themselves from +the reproach and their fellow-citizens of the United States from the +anxieties which must ever attend a prolonged dispute as to the title and +the administration of the government of one of the States of the Union. + +The President therefore desires that you should devote your first and +principal attention to a removal of the obstacles to an acknowledgment +of one government for the purpose of an exercise of authority within +the State and a representation of the State in its relations to the +General Government under section 4 of Article IV of the Constitution +of the United States, leaving, if necessary, to judicial or other +constitutional arbitrament within the State the question of ultimate +right. If these obstacles should prove insuperable, from whatever +reason, and the hope of a single government in all its departments +be disappointed, it should be your next endeavor to accomplish the +recognition of a single legislature as the depositary of the +representative will of the people of Louisiana. This great department of +government rescued from dispute, the rest of the problem could gradually +be worked out by the prevalent authority which the legislative power, +when undisputed, is quite competent to exert in composing conflict in +the coordinate branches of the government. + +An attentive consideration of the conditions under which the Federal +Constitution and the acts of Congress provide or permit military +intervention by the President in protection of a State against domestic +violence has satisfied the President that the use of this authority in +determining or influencing disputed elections in a State is most +carefully to be avoided. Undoubtedly, as was held by the Supreme Court +in the case of Luther _vs._ Borden, the appeal from a State may +involve such an inquiry as to the lawfulness of the authority which +invokes the interference of the President in supposed pursuance of the +Constitution; but it is equally true that neither the constitutional +provision nor the acts of Congress were framed with any such design. +Both obviously treated the case of domestic violence within a State as +of outbreak against law and the authority of established government +which the State was unable to suppress by its own strength. A case +wherein every department of the State government has a disputed +representation, and a State therefore furnishes to the Federal +Government no internal political recognition of authority upon which the +Federal Executive can rely, will present a case of so much difficulty +that it is of pressing importance to all interests in Louisiana that +it should be avoided. A single legislature would greatly relieve this +difficulty, for that department of the State government is named by the +Constitution as the necessary applicant, when it can be convened, for +military intervention by the United States. + +If, therefore, the disputing interests can concur in or be reduced to a +single legislature for the State of Louisiana, it would be a great step +in composing this unhappy strife. + +The President leaves entirely to the commission the conciliatory +influences which, in their judgment formed on the spot, may seem to +conduce to the proposed end. His own determination that only public +considerations should inspire and attend this effort to give the +ascendency in Louisiana to the things that belong to peace is evinced +by his selection of commissioners who offer to the country in their +own character every guaranty of the public motives and methods of the +transactions which they have undertaken. Your report of the result of +this endeavor will satisfy the President, he does not doubt, of the +wisdom of his selection of and of his plenary trust in the commission. + +A second and less important subject of attention during your visit +to New Orleans will be the collection of accurate and trustworthy +information from the public officers and prominent citizens of all +political connections as to the state of public feeling and opinion in +the community at large upon the general questions which affect the +peaceful and safe exercise within the State of Louisiana of all legal +and political rights and the protection of all legal and political +privileges conferred by the Constitution of the United States upon all +citizens. The maintenance and protection of these rights and privileges +by all constitutional means and by every just, moral, and social +influence are the settled purpose of the President in his administration +of the Government. He will hope to learn from your investigations that +this purpose will be aided and not resisted by the substantial and +effective public opinion of the great body of the people of Louisiana. + +The President does not wish to impose any limit upon your stay in +Louisiana that would tend to defeat the full objects of your visit. He +is, however, extremely desirous to find it in his power at the earliest +day compatible with a safe exercise of that authority to put an end to +even the appearance of military intervention in the domestic affairs of +Louisiana, and he awaits your return with a confident hope that your +report will enable him promptly to execute a purpose he has so much at +heart. + +The President desires me to add that the publication of the results of +your visit he shall hope to make immediately after their communication +to 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 had +been stationed, by order of my predecessor, in the immediate vicinity +of the building used as a statehouse in New Orleans, La., and known as +Mechanics' Institute, a detachment of United States infantry. Finding +them in that place, I have thought proper to delay a decision of the +question of their removal until I could determine whether the condition +of affairs is now such as to either require or justify continued +military intervention of the National Government in the affairs of +the State. + +In my opinion there does not now exist in Louisiana such domestic +violence as is contemplated by the Constitution as the ground upon which +the military power of the National Government may be invoked for the +defense of the State. The disputes which exist as to the right of +certain claimants to the chief executive office of that State are to be +settled and determined, not by the Executive of the United States, but +by such orderly and peaceable methods as may be provided by the +constitution and the laws of the State. + +Having the assurance that no resort to violence is contemplated, but, on +the contrary, the disputes in question are to be settled by peaceful +methods under and in accordance with law, I deem it proper to take +action in accordance with the principles announced when I entered upon +the duties of the Presidency. + +You are therefore directed to see that the proper orders are issued for +the removal of said troops at an early date from their present position +to such regular barracks in the vicinity as may be selected for their +occupation. + +R.B. HAYES. + + + + +EXPLANATORY NOTES TO SPECIAL MESSAGES, VOLUMES I AND II. + + +Message of February 8, 1792, Vol. I, p. 116: Transmitting an account of +John B. Cutting for expenditures incurred in liberating seamen of the +United States in British ports during the impressments by the British +Government in 1790. + +Message of February 7, 1794, Vol. I, p. 151: Extraordinary commission of +Guadaloupe apply to Congress for aid in men, provisions, and ammunition. + +Message of March 18, 1794, Vol. I, p. 152: Transmitting an application +by the minister of France for an advance of $1,000,000 on account of the +debt due by the United States, correspondence between the Secretary of +State and the minister of France relative thereto, etc. + +Message of February 4, 1795, Vol. I, p. 175: Transmitting letters from +the Secretaries of State and the Treasury concerning the negotiation of +a loan in Holland. + +Message of January 5, 1798, Vol. I, p. 260: Transmitting a report of +the Secretary of War stating that the five clerks in his office were +insufficient to transact the business and asking a larger appropriation +to enable him to increase the number. + +Message of March 5, 1798, Vol. I, pp. 263-264: Transmitting a message +of the Executive Directory of France to the Council of Five Hundred and +decree of that council of January 11, 1798, declaring neutral vessels +laden 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 French +Republic, or neutral, bearing a commission granted by the enemies of +France 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 such +without being permitted in any case to allege that he had been forced +into such service by violence, threats, or otherwise." + +Message of January 13, 1800, Vol. I, p. 301: Relating to the Military +Academy and the reorganization of the Army. + +Message of January 14, 1800, Vol. I, pp. 301-302: Letter from John +Randolph, jr., demanding that certain officers of the Army or Navy be +punished for grossly and publicly insulting him for advocating in the +House of Representatives a reduction of the military establishment. + +Message of April 20, 1802, Vol. I, p. 341: Relating to spoliations +committed on the commerce of the United States under Spanish authority +and to the imprisonment of the American consul at St. Jago de Cuba. + +Message of December 22, 1802, Vol. I, p. 346: Transmitting letters +from the governors of the Mississippi Territory and of Kentucky, etc., +relative to the prohibition by authorities of Spain to land American +cargoes at New Orleans, in violation of treaty rights. + +Message of December 31, 1804, Vol. I, p. 375: Relating to the +bombardment of Tripoli, vessels engaged, number of men, etc. + +Message of December 30, 1808, Vol. I, p. 458: Resolutions of the +legislature of Pennsylvania expressing confidence in the General +Government in its attitude toward foreign powers, indorsing the embargo +as a wise measure, etc. + +Message of June 4, 1809, Vol. I, p. 471: Transmitting resolutions of the +Pennsylvania assembly protesting against the decision of the Supreme +Court in the case of Gideon Olmstead. + +Message of December 16, 1809, Vol. I, p. 478: Transmitting documents +connected with the arrangement between D.M. Erskine, minister +plenipotentiary of Great Britain, and the Secretary of State of the +United States, making reparation for the attack on the _Chesapeake_ +and providing for the suspension of the embargo and nonintercourse laws +and the withdrawal of the orders in council, etc. + +Message of January 31, 1811, Vol. I, p. 489: Transmitting documents +relative to negotiations with France for the repeal of decrees violating +the neutral commerce of the United States, etc. + +Message of December 27, 1811, Vol. I, p. 497: Transmitting resolutions +of the legislature of Pennsylvania expressing confidence in the wisdom, +patriotism, and firmness of the President and Congress relative to +affairs with Great Britain and pledging support in case of an appeal +to arms. + +Message of September 26, 1814, Vol. I, p. 551: Transmitting +correspondence relative to an order of the British admiral, Alex. +Cochrane, "to destroy and lay waste such towns and districts upon the +coast as may be found assailable," in retaliation for acts of the United +States Army in Upper Canada. + +Message of February 5, 1821, Vol. II, p. 83: Transmitting correspondence +with Great Britain relative to the commercial relations between the +United States and the British colonies in the West Indies and in North +America, etc. + +Message of February 3, 1823, Vol. II, p. 200: Transmitting a memorial +of the legislative council of Florida relative to the expediency and +necessity for further legislative provision for the government and +improvement of Florida. + +Message of February 17, 1825, Vol. II, p. 284: Transmitting +correspondence with France relative to the interpretation of the eighth +article of the treaty for the cession of Louisiana. + + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Compilation of the Messages and +Papers of the Presidents, by James D. Richardson + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14584 *** |