I will say now, however, I approve the declaration in favor of so amending the Constitution as to prohibit slavery throughout the nation.

I will neither conceal my gratification nor restrain the expression of my gratitude that the Union people, through their convention, in their continued effort to save and advance the nation, have deemed me not unworthy to remain in my…

I propose that you constantly bear in mind that the support you owe to the brave officers and soldiers in the field is of the very first importance.

I know no reason to doubt that I shall accept the nomination tendered; and yet perhaps I should not declare definitely before reading and considering what is called the platform.

I have just been saying, and will repeat it, that the hardest of all speeches I have to answer is a serenade.

Now, without detaining you any longer, I propose that you help me to close up what I am now saying with three rousing cheers for Gen. Grant and the officers and soldiers under his command.

What we want, still more than Baltimore conventions or presidential elections, is success under Gen. Grant.

Such amendment of the Constitution as now proposed became a fitting and necessary conclusion to the final success of the Union cause.

I have the honor to submit, for the consideration of Congress a letter and inclosure from the Secretary of War, with my concurrence in the recommendation therein made.

To the Senate of the United States: I transmit to the Senate, in answer to their resolution of the 28th instant, a report* from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents.

In reply to a resolution of the Senate of the 25th instant, relating to Mexican affairs, I transmit a partial report from the Secretary of State of this date, with the papers therein mentioned.

I also recommend that First Assistant Engineer James M. Hobby be advanced thirty numbers in his grade for distinguished conduct in battle and extraordinary heroism.

The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty.

To the House of Representatives:I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of War, in answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 4th instant, in relation to Major N. H. McLean.

God alone can claim it.

The Government bounties as now paid continue until April 1, 1864, at which time the additional bounties cease.

I therefore invite the early attention of Congress to the subject.

I transmit to Congress a copy of a treaty between the United States and Great Britain for the final settlement of the claims of the Hudsons Bay and Pugets Sound Agricultural Companies, concluded on the 1st of July last, the ratifications…