To the Senate of the United States: I herewith transmit to the Senate, in answer to their resolution of the 19th instant, reports* from the State and War Departments.

I transmit to the Senate herewith, in answer to their resolution of the 5th instant, a report* from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents.

In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 27th ultimo, I now transmit the letter and pamphlet which accompanies this.

The examination or visitation of the merchant vessels of one nation by the cruisers of another for any purposes except those known and acknowledged by the law of nations, under whatever restraints or regulations it may take place, may lead…

I felt it to be my duty to arrest that progress, to rescue the immunity of the American flag from the danger which hung over it.

No application or request has been made to this Government to become a party to this treaty.

The treaty has thus become the law of the land by the express advice of the Senate, given in the most solemn manner known to its proceedings.

I have hitherto flattered myself that the motives which influenced my conduct had been fully appreciated by those who advised and approved it.

It is far better by other means to supersede any supposed necessity or any motive for such examination or visit.

It is not to be supposed that excited attention to public and national transactions or general political discussions in Europe on subjects open to all the world are known only in consequence of private information communicated to the…

The treaty has not been communicated to the Government of the United States from any other quarter, in any other manner, or for any other purpose.

Desirous of maintaining those principles fully, at the same time that existing obligations should be fulfilled, I have thought it most consistent with the honor and dignity of the country that it should execute its own laws and perform its…

It is difficult to say that such vessels can claim any interference of the Government in their behalf, into whosesoever hands they may happen to fall.

In compliance with your resolution of the 12th of February, 1841, requesting me to communicate to the House of Representatives the documents and other information in the possession of the Executive regarding claims of citizens of the…

The importations into the United States from China are known to be large, having amounted in some years, as will be seen by the annexed tables, to $9,000,000.

Considering, therefore, that the United States possesses so large a share of the intercourse with those islands, it is deemed not unfit to make the declaration that their Government seeks, nevertheless, no peculiar advantages, no exclusive…

The exports, too, from the United States to China constitute an interesting and growing part of the commerce of the country.

Far remote from the dominions of European powers, its growth and prosperity as an independent state may yet be in a high degree useful to all whose trade is extended to those regions;