Martin Van Buren: “The importance of the subject would seem to render it worthy of the early attention of Congress.”

Certain matters touching the public good requiring that the Senate of the United States should be convened on Thursday, the 4th day of March next, you are desired to attend at the Senate Chamber, in the city of Washington, on that day…

I transmit a report of the Secretary of State, containing the information asked for by the resolution of the Senate of the 5th instant, relative to the negroes taken on board the schooner Amistad.

I communicate the report of the Secretary of War, containing the information called for by that resolution as far as it relates to the Department under his charge.

It is understood that their respective examinations will throw new light upon the subject in controversy...