We chose to make a practical settlement of the question.

This correspondence will show the general grounds on which the Spanish minister expresses dissatisfaction with the decision of the Supreme Court in that case and the answers which have been made to his complaints by the Department of State.

Those engaged in it were as little liable to inquiry or interruption as any others.

The principles laid down in Lord Aberdeen's dispatches and the assurances of indemnity therein held out, although the utmost reliance was placed on the good faith of the British Government, were not regarded by the Executive as a…

I may safely affirm that it never occurred to this Government that any new maritime right accrued to it from the position it had thus assumed in regard to the slave trade.

I transmit to the Senate, in answer to their resolutions of the 20th of December and of the 9th instant, the inclosed copies of papers from the Department of State, with an accompanying list.

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

For that proceeding he has been recalled, and the letter recalling him will be found among the papers herewith communicated.

The duties which the Constitution and the laws devolve on the President must be performed by him under his official responsibility, and he is not at liberty to disregard high interests or thwart important public objects by untimely…

The proceeding of Captain Jones in taking possession of the town of Monterey, in the possessions of Mexico, was entirely of his own authority, and not in consequence of any orders or instructions of any kind given to him by the Government…

Any failure in this respect not produced by unforeseen causes could only be regarded by our common constituents as a serious neglect of the public interests.

The proper objects of taxation are peculiarly within the discretion of the Legislature, while it is the duty of the Executive to keep Congress duly advised of the state of the Treasury and to admonish it of any danger which there may be…

The public faith in this or in all things else ought to be placed beyond question and beyond contingency.

The issue of one note in redemption of another is not the payment of a debt.

To the House of Representatives:In order to enable Congress to approve or disapprove the selection of a site for a Western armory made by the board of commissioners appointed by me for that purpose pursuant to the act of September 9, 1841…

To the House of Representatives of the United States: I herewith transmit to the House of Representatives, in answer to their resolution of the 28th ultimo, a report from the Secretary of State.

Stating that no information is in possession of the Government of any negotiation of a treaty, or of any overtures to treat, for a cession of California by Mexico to England.

The knowledge that such is to be the consequence will inevitably prevent the performance of duties of that character, and thus the Government will be deprived of an important means of investigating the conduct of its agents.