James Buchanan: “When this fails it can proceed no further.”

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

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.

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.

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