James Buchanan: “It is manifest that if the power which this law gives had been withheld the public interest would frequently suffer very…”

In compliance with the resolutions of the Senate of the 17th and 18th February, 1858, requesting information upon the subject of the Aves Island, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State and the documents which accompanied it.

Before accepting this proposition I have thought it right to take the advice of the Senate.

The minister of that Republic is disappointed in not having received the copy intended for exchange, and the period will lapse without the possibility of carrying out the provisions of the convention in this respect.

There is but one mode left of settling the dispute, and that is by submitting it to the arbitration of some friendly and impartial power.