Great was my surprise to observe this morning in one of the public journals a statement of what purports to be a proposition, jointly signed by Her Britannic Majesty's minister here and the Secretary of State, for the adjustment of certain…

The tolling bells announce the death of the Hon. Henry Clay.

I therefore respectfully suggest that your Department be closed for the remainder of the day.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant.

I am sure all hearts are too sad at this moment to attend to business.

This request has been taken into the most respectful consideration, but the conclusion at which I have arrived is that the public interest would not be promoted, but, on the contrary, might under circumstances of possible occurrence, be…

It is apprehended that it would not comport with the public interests to communicate it under existing circumstances

I have received the resolution of the Senate of the 11th instant, passed in executive session, making inquiry respecting supposed propositions of the King of the Sandwich Islands to convey the sovereignty of those islands to the United…

Any information which may be in the possession of the Executive on these subjects shall in due time be laid before the Senate

I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, with the accompanying documents, in compliance with the Senate's resolution of the 3d instant.

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a convention for the mutual delivery of criminals fugitives from justice in certain cases between the United States on the one part and Prussia and other States…

Such an act of mercy, which restored many misguided and unfortunate youth of this country to their parents and friends, seems to me to merit some corresponding act of magnanimity and generosity on the part of the Government of this country.

My own views of the national liability upon this subject were expressed in the note of the Secretary of State to Mr. Calderon of the 13th November, 1851.

Such an act would tend to confirm that friendship which has so long existed between the two nations and to perpetuate it as a blessing to both, and I therefore recommend it to your favorable consideration.

I recommend the legislation which it suggests, in order that the duties and obligations of this Government occasioned thereby may be more effectually discharged

I transmit to Congress a report from the Secretary of State, on the subject of the disorders on the Rio Grande frontier

The peace and security of the inhabitants of the United States in that quarter more efficiently maintained

I communicate to the Senate herewith, for its constitutional action thereon, eighteen treaties negotiated with Indian tribes in California