To the House of Representatives of the United States: I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretary of State, with documents, containing the information requested by their resolution of the 26th ultimo.

The loss which the Government and the country have sustained by this deplorable event is heightened by the death at the same time and by the same cause of several distinguished persons and valuable citizens.

I could not forego the favorable opportunity which has presented itself, growing out of the communication from the Secretary of the Navy, to urge upon you the foregoing recommendations.

The restrictions laid upon the power to transfer by the latter clauses of the act have rendered its passage of no avail at the present moment.

I would suggest the propriety of the passage of such an act without delay.

The Secretary of the Navy will be instructed to lay before you suitable estimates of the cost of constructing so many ships of such size and dimensions as you may think proper to order to be built.

In order to a full understanding of the matter I have deemed it proper to transmit with the information requested a copy of the reply of the Adjutant-General to Brevet Major-General Gaines, with the documents to which it refers.

I communicate herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, submitting a report from the Commissioner of the General Land Office and accompanying papers.

My mind is not clear of doubt as to the power of the Executive to act in the matter, but being opposed to the assumption of any doubtful power, I have considered it best to submit the agreement to your consideration.

In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 31st January, I herewith transmit the accompanying letter* from the Secretary of the Navy.

I transmit to the Senate of the United States, in answer to their resolution of the 9th of January last, a report* from the Secretary of State and a report** from the Secretary of War.

I transmit a report of the War Department, prepared under a resolution of the Senate of the 4th instant.

It will be perceived that at the date of the resolution the final action of the Executive was not had upon the case.

That action having since taken place, it is communicated with the papers.

I am happy to believe that this convention provides as fully as is practicable for the adjustment of all claims of our citizens on the Government of Mexico.

That Government has thus afforded a gratifying proof of its promptness and good faith in observing the stipulation of the sixth article of the convention of the 30th of January last.

Such a violation of the individual rights of the claimants would impose upon the Government the obligation of making further appropriations to indemnify them, and thus Congress would be obliged to enlarge a provision, liberal and equitable, which it had made for the satisfaction of all the demands of the Cherokees.

The authority of this Government to direct its application to particular claims is more than questionable.