I now lay before the Senate the several treaties and conventions following, which have been entered into on the part of the United States since their last session.

On these several treaties I have to request that the Senate will advise whether I shall ratify them or not.

It was first manifested by her protest against the right of France to alienate Louisiana to us, which, however, was soon retracted and the right confirmed.

To them I communicate every fact material for their information and the documents necessary to enable them to judge for themselves.

She was prompt and decided in her declarations that our demands on Spain for French spoliations carried into Spanish ports were included in the settlement between the United States and France.

Then high offense was manifested at the act of Congress establishing a collection district on the Mobile, although by an authentic declaration immediately made it was expressly confined to our acknowledged limits.

Before this convention was returned to Spain with our ratification the transfer of Louisiana by France to the United States took place, an event as unexpected as disagreeable to Spain.

To their wisdom, then, I look for the course I am to pursue, and will pursue with sincere zeal that which they shall approve.

I have thought it my duty to await their authority for using force in any degree which could be avoided.

The present crisis in Europe is favorable for pressing such a settlement, and not a moment should be lost in availing ourselves of it.

These made it a duty to require from that Government indemnifications for our injured citizens.

From that moment she seemed to change her conduct and dispositions toward us.

A state of our progress in exploring the principal rivers of that country, and of the information respecting them hitherto obtained, will be communicated as soon as we shall receive some further relations which we have reason shortly to expect.

Other details necessary for your full information of the state of things between this country and that shall be the subject of another communication.

Providence in His goodness gave it an early termination on this occasion and lessened the number of victims which have usually fallen before it.

I congratulate you on the liberation of our fellow citizens who were stranded on the coast of Tripoli and made prisoners of war.

I can not, then, but earnestly recommend to your early consideration the expediency of so modifying our militia system.

Reason revolts at such inconsistency, and the neutral having equal right with the belligerent to decide the question.