such portions as have not heretofore been communicated of the instructions given to our ministers in France on the subject of claims for spoliations since September, 1800, and of the correspondence of said ministers with the French…

I respectfully recommend that in the printing, if deemed necessary, such a discrimination be made as to avoid that inconvenience, preferring this course to withholding from the Senate any part of the correspondence.

I have determined to issue my proclamation of the 10th of December last.

It is the acknowledged attribute of free institutions that under them the empire of reason and law is substituted for the power of the sword.

It therefore becomes my duty to bring the subject to the serious consideration of Congress.

I also transmit the journal of the commissioners who negotiated these treaties.

I transmit herewith to the Senate, for their advice and consent as to the ratification of the same, treaties that have been concluded by commissioners duly appointed on the part of the United States with the following Indian tribes, viz…

I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of War, containing the information required.

I transmit herewith, for the consideration and advice of the Senate as to their ratification, treaties that have been concluded by commissioners duly appointed on the part of the United States with the following tribes of Indians.

I lay before the Senate, for its consideration and advice, a treaty of amity and commerce between the United States of America and the Republic of Chili, concluded at Santiago on the 16th day of May, 1832.

I have been compelled to withhold from it my signature, and it has therefore failed to become a law.

It is obvious that such appropriations involve the sanction of a principle that concedes to the General Government an unlimited power over the subject of internal improvements.

In thus employing my best faculties to exercise the power with which I am invested to avoid evils and to effect the greatest attainable good for our common country I feel that I may trust to your cordial cooperation.

With these reasons and considerations I return the bill to the Senate.

Had there been incorporated in the bill no provisions for works of a different description, depending on principles which extend the power of making appropriations to every object which the discretion of the Government may select, and…

I shall continue to apply my best exertions to their application and enforcement.

I avail myself of this early opportunity to return to the Senate, in which it originated, the bill entitled 'An act providing for the final settlement of the claims of States for interest on advances to the United States made during the…

I can not too cordially congratulate Congress and my fellow citizens on the near approach of that memorable and happy event – the extinction of the public debt of this great and free nation.