I now communicate a digest of the information I have received relative to Louisiana, which may be useful to the Legislature in providing for the government of the country.

From the nature of the transaction some documents relative to it might have been expected from the War Office.

A translation of the most important laws in force in that province, now in press, shall be the subject of a supplementary communication.

Progress having been made in the demarcation of Indian boundaries, I am now able to communicate to you.

In the meanwhile it is for Congress to consider the provisional authorities which may be necessary to restrain the depredations of this power should they be continued.

I now lay before you the treaty mentioned in my general message at the opening of the session as having been concluded with the Kaskaskia Indians for the transfer of their country to us under certain reservations and conditions.

This conduct on the part of that power is without cause and without explanation.

I lay before you the convention signed on the 12th day of May last between the United States and Great Britain for settling their boundaries in the northeastern and northwestern parts of the United States.

While we regret the miseries in which we see others involved, let us bow with gratitude.

hereby requiring their respective Senators and Representatives then and there to assemble in Congress, in order to receive such communications as may then be made to them and to consult and determine on such measures as in their wisdom may…

Whereas great and weighty matters claiming the consideration of the Congress of the United States form an extraordinary occasion for convening them, I do by these presents appoint Monday, the 17th day of October next, for their meeting at…

Their services to be compensated are from the 1st day of June last.

The portion actually completed has rendered the situation of the persons confined much more comfortable and secure than it has been heretofore.

A single article of $1,440, paid for bringing home 72 seamen discharged in foreign ports from vessels sold abroad, is the only expenditure from that fund.

I now lay before Congress the annual account of the fund established for defraying the contingent charges of Government.

I inclose a report of the Secretary of War, stating the trading houses established in the Indian territories.

These springs are said to possess the advantage of being accompanied with a bed of coal.

Duty has required me to submit these views to the judgment of the Legislature, but as their disclosure might embarrass and defeat their effect, they are committed to the special confidence of the two Houses.