John Tyler: “I transmit to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State, in answer to their resolution of the 14th instant.”

The country itself, thus obtained, is of incalculable value in an agricultural and commercial point of view.

I must be permitted to disclaim entirely and unqualifiedly the right on the part of the Executive to make any real or supposed defects existing in any State constitution or form of government the pretext for a failure to enforce the laws…

I also with equal strength resist the idea that it falls within the Executive competency to decide in controversies of the nature of that which existed in Rhode Island on which side is the majority of the people or as to the extent of the…

With equal, if not greater, propriety might the United States demand of other governments to surrender their numerous and valuable acquisitions.