In compliance with the request contained in the accompanying letter from the governor of the State of Kentucky, I herewith transmit certain resolutions adopted by the legislature of that State, in relation to a digest of the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States.

To the Senate of the United States.

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 have deemed it respectful and proper to lay before the House of Representatives these reasons for having withheld my approval of the above-mentioned joint resolution.

I shall be permitted to exchange congratulations with you, gentlemen of the two Houses of Congress, on these auspicious circumstances.

I feel it, therefore, to be my duty to renominate him.

That review has satisfied me that I could not have a more able adviser in the administration of public affairs or the country a more faithful officer.

I may safely affirm that it never occurred to this Government that any new maritime right accrued to it from the position it had thus assumed in regard to the slave trade.

We chose to make a practical settlement of the question.

The public faith in this or in all things else ought to be placed beyond question and beyond contingency.

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

For my opinions relative to the provisions contained in this bill it is only necessary that I should refer to previous communications made by me to the House of Representatives.

The chief embarrassments which at the moment exhibit themselves have arisen from overaction, and the most difficult task which remains to be accomplished is that of correcting and overcoming its effects.

If in assigning my objections to the bill I had so far forgotten what was due to the House of Representatives as to impugn its motives in passing the bill, I should owe, not only to that House, but to the country, the most profound apology.

I shall cheerfully acquiesce in the result.

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

I herewith transmit to the Senate a report