The nation will mourn the afflicting dispensation which has left so great a void in its councils.

In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 25th ultimo, I transmit a copy of the report of the special agent of the United States recently sent to Vancouvers Island and British Columbia.

An imperative sense of duty compels me to make an appeal to Congress to preserve the credit of the country.

The urgency of the case not only justifies but demands that, if necessary, this shall be done by a separate bill.

It is impossible to avoid this catastrophe unless we make provision this very day to meet the lawful demands on the public Treasury.

To the Senate of the United States: I transmit to the Senate, in executive session, the report of the Secretary of State, with the accompanying documents, in reply to the resolution of the Senate adopted in open session on the 11th January last, relating to outrages committed on citizens of the United States on the Isthmus of Panama.

requesting the President of the United States to communicate to the Senate a copy of the opinion of Judge Brewer in the Great Falls land condemnation case, involving a claim for damages to be paid by the United States.

I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of War, with accompanying paper, in obedience to the resolution of the Senate adopted 23d February.

In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 23d instant, requesting a copy of certain letters of Horatio J. Perry, late secretary to the legation of the United States at Madrid, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, with the documents which accompanied it.

an extraordinary occasion requires the Senate of the United States to convene for the transaction of business at the Capitol, in the city of Washington, on the 4th day of next month, at 12 o'clock at noon of that day

I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of the Navy, with the accompanying documents, in obedience to the resolution of the House of Representatives adopted on the 28th of January.

The representatives of the States and of the people, feeling a more immediate interest in obtaining money to lighten the burdens of their constituents than for the promotion of the more distant objects intrusted to the Federal Government, will naturally incline to obtain means from the Federal Government for State purposes.

This bill, should it become a law, will operate greatly to the injury of the new States.

Surely the present is the most unpropitious moment which could have been selected for the passage of this bill.

I deem it to be both inexpedient and unconstitutional.

I can not so read the words 'dispose of' as to make them embrace the idea of 'giving away.'

In the latter I state that--The executive government of this country in its intercourse with foreign nations is limited to the employment of diplomacy alone.

Without the authority of Congress the Executive can not lawfully direct any force, however near it may be to the scene of difficulty, to enter the territory of Mexico, Nicaragua, or New Granada for the purpose of defending the persons and property of American citizens.