Governments may be, and doubtless often have been, wrong in going to war to enforce claims.

It does not appear to me to be competent for commissioners authorized to ascertain the indemnity for the injury to go behind their authority and decide upon the original merits of the claim for which the war was made.

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 March next, at 12 o'clock at noon on that day, of which all who…

I deemed it a duty to transmit to Congress with my message of the 8th of January the correspondence which occurred in December last between the \commissioners\" of South Carolina and myself.

He was, however, induced by the interposition of Hon. Jefferson Davis and nine other Senators from the seceded and seceding States not to deliver it on the day appointed.

Their letter to him urging this delay bears date January 15, and was the commencement of a correspondence.

It affords me great satisfaction to perform this duty.

I feel quite confident that Congress will bestow upon these resolutions the careful consideration to which they are eminently entitled.

The amendment does not seem necessary to secure any right either of the United States or of any American citizen claiming under them.

Nor is it known or believed that there are any claims against the Government of Venezuela having any connection with that island other than those provided for in this convention.

Neither the Government nor the citizens in whose behalf the convention has been concluded have any further claims upon the island of Aves.

I therefore recommend the reconsideration of the subject.

However strong may be my desire to enter into such an agreement, I am convinced that I do not possess the power.

I confess I hail this movement on the part of Virginia with great satisfaction.

It is my duty at all times to defend and protect the public property within the seceding States so far as this may be practicable.

I am one of those who will never despair of the Republic.

The increase of the sum appropriated in the present bill over that in the bill of the last session, being within a fraction of $20,000, has induced me to examine the question with some attention.

I return with my objections to the House, in which it originated.