I have thought proper to direct that the report of Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock concerning the frauds which he was charged to investigate be transmitted to the House of Representatives, and it accordingly accompanies this message.

Shall there be no discretionary authority permitted to refuse to become the instruments of such malevolence?

The knowledge that such is to be the consequence will inevitably prevent the performance of duties of that character, and thus the Government will be deprived of an important means of investigating the conduct of its agents.

I have to request the House to consider it so far confidential as not to direct its publication until the appropriate committee shall have examined it and expressed their opinion whether a just regard to the character and rights of persons…

To maintain that the President can exercise no discretion as to the time in which the matters thus collected shall be promulgated or in respect to the character of the information obtained would deprive him at once of the means of…

The officer charged with a confidential inquiry, and who reports its result under the pledge of confidence which his appointment implies, ought not to be exposed individually to the resentment of those whose conduct may be impugned by the…

But his suggestions and projects respecting the anticipated propositions of the delegates and his views of their personal characters can not in any event aid the legislation of Congress, and in my opinion the promulgation of them would be…

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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…

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.