But whilst such are my views in respect to the measure itself, and while I shall feel it to be my duty to labor for its accomplishment by the proper use of all the means that are or shall be placed at my disposal by Congress, I am at the same time equally desirous to avoid the use of any which are inconsistent with those principles of benevolence and justice which I on a former occasion endeavored to show have in the main characterized the dealings of the Federal Government with the Indian tribes from the Administration of President Washington to the present time.
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I communicate to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretary of State, with documents, containing the information requested by their resolution of the 26th of May last.
I deem it my duty to lay the proposition before Congress for such disposition as they may think fit to make of it
I transmit to Congress, for their consideration, copies and translations of a correspondence between the Secretary of State and the Spanish legation, growing out of an application on the part of Spain for a reduction of tonnage duty on her vessels in certain cases.
I transmit herewith a report and accompanying documents from the Secretary of War, which furnish the information in relation to that portion of the defenses* of the country intrusted to the charge and direction of the Department of War, called for by the resolution of the Senate of the 2d of March, 1839.





