The line of boundary, then, from the source of the St. Croix to the St. Lawrence, so far as Maine and Massachusetts are concerned, is fixed by their own consent and for considerations satisfactory to them.

I have the satisfaction to communicate to the Senate the results of the negotiations recently had in this city with the British minister, special and extraordinary.

If this treaty shall receive the approbation of the Senate, it will terminate a difference respecting boundary which has long subsisted between the two Governments.

The early and prominent part which the Government of the United States has taken for the abolition of this unlawful and inhuman traffic is well known.

The surrender to justice of persons who, having committed high crimes, seek an asylum in the territories of a neighboring nation would seem to be an act due to the cause of general justice.

The destruction of the steamboat Caroline at Schlosser four or five years ago occasioned no small degree of excitement at the time, and became the subject of correspondence between the two Governments.

The Government of the United States has by law declared the African slave trade piracy, and at its suggestion other nations have made similar enactments.

Relating to the macadamizing of Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, D, C.

I did not think that I could stand excused, much less justified, before the people of the United States, nor could I reconcile it to myself to recommend the imposition of additional taxes upon them without at the same time urging the…

The exercise of some independence of judgment in regard to all acts of legislation is plainly implied in the responsibility of approving them.

Surely if the pause for reflection intended by the wise authors of the Constitution by referring the subject back to Congress for reconsideration be ever expedient and necessary it is precisely such a case as the present.

I felt it incumbent on me to urge upon Congress to raise the duties accordingly, imposing them in a spirit of a wise discrimination for the twofold object of affording ample revenue for the Government and incidental protection to the…

I shall cheerfully acquiesce in the result.

I can not consent to do so at the sacrifice of the peace and harmony of the country and the clearest convictions of public duty.

Nothing can be more painful to any individual called upon to perform the Chief Executive duties under our limited Constitution than to be constrained to withhold his assent from an important measure adopted by the Legislature.

After all, the effect of what I do is substantially to call on Congress to reconsider the subject.

I most respectfully submit whether this is a time to give away the proceeds of the land sales when the public lands constitute a fund which of all others may be made most useful in sustaining the public credit.

This is a species of constraint to which the judgment of the Executive ought not, in my opinion, to be subjected.