James Buchanan: “Governments may be, and doubtless often have been, wrong in going to war to enforce claims.”

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.

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.

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