James Buchanan: “Their letter to him urging this delay bears date January 15, and was the commencement of a correspondence.”

The peace and order of the city itself and the security of the inauguration of the President elect, were objects of such vast importance to the whole country that I could not hesitate to adopt precautionary defensive measures.

I submit, therefore, the expediency of the passage of a resolution authorizing the exchange of ratifications at such time as may be convenient, the limitations of the ninth article to the contrary notwithstanding.

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

The dispatch of Mr. Dallas being in the original, its return to the Department of State is requested.