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

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.

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

It is not to be supposed that excited attention to public and national transactions or general political discussions in Europe on subjects open to all the world are known only in consequence of private information communicated to the…

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…

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.

In compliance with your resolution of the 12th of February, 1841, requesting me to communicate to the House of Representatives the documents and other information in the possession of the Executive regarding claims of citizens of the…

The importations into the United States from China are known to be large, having amounted in some years, as will be seen by the annexed tables, to $9,000,000.

In reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 14th December, I transmit herewith the accompanying letter

Considering, therefore, that the United States possesses so large a share of the intercourse with those islands, it is deemed not unfit to make the declaration that their Government seeks, nevertheless, no peculiar advantages, no exclusive…

An Empire supposed to contain 300,000,000 subjects, fertile in various rich products of the earth, not without the knowledge of letters and of many arts, and with large and expensive accommodations for internal intercourse and traffic, has…

Far remote from the dominions of European powers, its growth and prosperity as an independent state may yet be in a high degree useful to all whose trade is extended to those regions;

She has agreed in the treaty with England that correspondence between the agents of the two Governments shall be on equal terms--a concession which it is hardly probable will hereafter be withheld from other nations.

Events appear likely to break down and soften this spirit of nonintercourse and to bring China ere long into the relations which usually subsist between civilized states.

The exports, too, from the United States to China constitute an interesting and growing part of the commerce of the country.

I herewith transmit to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers, in answer to their resolution of the 27th instant.