James Buchanan: “The power to carry on the business of the Government by means of a provisional appointment when a vacancy occurs is…”

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

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.

Had I refused to adopt this precautionary measure, and evil consequences, which many good men at the time apprehended, had followed, I should never have forgiven myself.

I deem it proper to invite the attention of the Senate to the fact that with this day expires the limitation of time for the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty with Costa Rica of 2d July, 1860.