I have thought that the friendly dispositions of such a power might be advantageously cherished by a mission which should manifest our willingness to meet his good will.

His influence in negotiations for peace may be of value to the United States should arrangements of any sort affecting them be contemplated by other powers in the present extraordinary state of the world;

His high station and the relations of Russia to the predominant powers of Europe must give him weight with them according to the vicissitudes of the war.

I transmit to Congress a letter recently received from our minister at the Court of St. James, covering one to him from the British secretary of state, with his reply.

According to the resolution of the Senate of the 17th instant, I now transmit them the information therein requested, respecting the execution of the act of Congress of February 21, 1806, appropriating $2,000,000 for defraying any…

The letter of Mr. Canning, however, having lately appeared in print, unaccompanied by that of Mr. Pinkney in reply, and having a tendency to make impressions not warranted by the statements of Mr. Pinkney, it has become proper that the…

When the documents concerning the relations between the United States and Great Britain were laid before Congress at the commencement of the session, the answer of Mr. Pinkney to the letter of Mr. Canning had not been received.

$990 were paid to the order of Governor Williams on the same account.

I now render to Congress the account of the fund established for defraying the contingent expenses of Government for the year 1808.

$2,000 were deposited in the hands of the Attorney-General of the United States to pay expenses incident to the prosecution of Aaron Burr and his accomplices for treason and misdemeanors alleged to have been committed by them.

The balance of $17,010 remains in the Treasury unexpended.

The expense as well as the importance of the work renders it a subject proper for the special consideration of Congress.

To prevent altogether the entrance of large vessels, a line of blocks across the harbor has been contemplated.

The same considerations of expense and importance render this also a question for the special decision of Congress.

The works undertaken at New York are calculated to annoy and endanger any naval force which shall enter the harbor.

The care of human life and happiness, not their destruction, is the legitimate responsibility of good government.

I suppose it will be the interest of the United States to encourage the wandering tribes of that country to reduce themselves to fixed habitations whenever they are so disposed.

The establishment of towns and growing attachments to them will furnish in some degree pledges of their peaceable and friendly conduct.

Certain matters touching the public good requiring that the Senate should be convened on Saturday, the 4th day of March next, you are desired to attend at the Senate Chamber, in the city of Washington, on that day, then and there to…

It can not but be encouraging to those whom the nation has placed in the direction of their affairs to see that their fellow-citizens will press forward in support of their country in proportion as it is threatened by the disorganizing…

According to the request expressed by the Senate in their resolution of November 14, I now transmit a report of the Secretary of the Treasury and statement showing, as far as returns have been received from the collectors, the number of…

According to the request of the Senate in their resolution of November 14, that copies should be laid before them of all the orders and decrees of the belligerent powers of Europe, passed since 1791, affecting the commercial rights of the…

I now transmit to both Houses of Congress a report of the commissioners appointed under the act of March 29, 1806, concerning a road from Cumberland to Ohio, being a statement of the proceedings under the said act since their last report…

On mature consideration and advice I approved of the proceeding of the governor.