Special Message
02/12/1851
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
It appears to me that the protection of the public records and papers requires that such acts should be made penal and a suitable punishment...
I deemed all this necessary as well for the interest of the claimants as to secure the government against fraudulent claims which might be p...
And I therefore bring the subject to your consideration, to enable you to act upon it should you concur with me in this opinion.
In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 18th instant, I transmit a copy of the correspondence with John P. ...