Mr. Bagby submitted an additional document relative to the petition of Hugh Wallace Wormley: which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. Benton presented a memorial of citizens of St. Louis, Missouri, praying an appropriation for improving the navigation of the western rivers, deepening the harbor of that city, and for the purchase of the Louisville and Portland canal: which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Dix presented three petitions of citizens of New York, remonstrating against the renewal of a patent, heretofore granted to Jethro Wood for an improvement in the plough. Ordered, That they lie on the table. Mr. Webster submitted the following resolution; which was considered, by unanimous consent, and agreed to: Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to the Senate, if not incompatible with public interests, any correspondence which took place between the government of the United States and that of Great Britain, on the subject of the northeastern boundary, between the 20th of June, 1840, and the 4th of March, 1841. Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, submitted the following resolution; which was considered, by unanimous consent, and agreed to: Resolved, That the report of the Secretary of the Treasury of the 19th instant, made in obedience to a resolution of the Senate, instructing the Secretary to report the condition of the new building intended for a marine hospital in the city of New Orleans, &c., be referred, together with the documents accompanying it, to the Committee on Commerce; and that the said committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making an appropriation to complete the said building. Mr. Niles submitted the following resolution for consideration: Resolved, That the sergeant-at-arms be authorized to continue J. G. Schott as a messenger of the Senate, and that the usual pay be allowed him for his services as such from the 1st December last to the end of the session. On motion by Mr. Yulee, Ordered, That the Committee on Private Land Claims be discharged from the further consideration of the resolutions of the legislature of the State of Ohio, presented the 2d February, and that they be referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. Jarnagin, from the Committee on Private Land Claims, to whom was referred the petition of the heirs-at-law of Erastus Brown, submitted an adverse report: which was ordered to be printed. Mr. Jarnagin, from the Committee on Private Land Claims, to whom was referred the petition of William Marvin, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill (S. 126) for the relief of William Marvin, in confirming the title to a tract of land in Florida, granted by the Spanish government to Bernardo Segui on the 20th of December, 1815. The bill was read, and passed to a second reading. Mr. Woodbridge, from the Committee on Public Lands, to whom was referred a memorial of the legislature of the State of Tennessee, reported a bill (S. 127) to surrender to the State of Tennessee all title the United States have to lands in Tennessee south and west of the line commonly called the congressional reservation line, and to release to said State the proceeds of lands as may have been' sold by the State of Tennessee as the United States: which was read, and passed to a second from the Committee on Public Lands, to whom was referred J. M. White and others, representatives of John Smith, T. report, accompanied by a bill (S. 128) to compromise the heirs or legal representatives of John Smith, T. under a t. as read, and passed to a second reading. That the report be printed. from the Committee on Private Land Claims, to whom was petition of Robert Barclay, submitted a report, accompanied 129) for the relief of Robert Barclay, of Missouri. as read, and passed to a second reading. That the report be printed. , from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, to whom he petition of Beebe Wadhams, legal representative of Heman sed, submitted an adverse report: which was ordered to be , from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, to whom tted the memorial of William Starke Jett, administrator of deceased, submitted an adverse report: which was ordered , from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, to whom he petition of Simeon Hubbard, legal representative of Cooper ceased, submitted an adverse report: which was ordered to on, from the Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred of George Wingard, reported a bill (S. 130) for his relief: ad, and passed to a second reading. from the House of Representatives, by Mr. French, their lent: The House of Representatives have passed a bill (H. g appropriations for the improvement of certain harbors and ich they request the concurrence of the Senate. er of the House of Representatives having signed an enrolled dered, That it lie on Johnson, of Louisi of the State of Louis New Orleans, in that S Johnson, of Louisi Berin, and Alexis 1 private land claim on Private Land C Johnson, of Louis deation: Reed, That the res 260,) I am directed to bring it to the Senate for the signature the 10th instant President signed the enrolled bill (H. R. 260) last reported to amined, and it was delivered to the committee to be presented ent of the United States. H. R. 18) making appropriations for the improvement of cer- e proceeded to consider, as in Committee of the Whole, the That the further consideration thereof be postponed to to onsideration of Executive business, e adjourned. sentatives in Cong e of the United St armaments as will se d to the Secretary a plan for the def e of the expense ended in said pla The following messag by Mr. Walker, h the Senate of the Un answer to the inqu lth instant, whethe or growing out of time an increase of 14 TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1846. Mr. Dickinson presented two petitions of citizens of New York, remonstrating against the renewal of a patent heretofore granted to Jethro Wood for an improvement in the plough. Ordered, That they lie on the table. Mr. Turney presented a communication addressed to him by the Secretary of War, showing the pay and allowances of officers in the army during the years 1812, 1824, 1838, and at the present time: which was ordered to be printed, with the accompanying documents. Mr. Dix presented two petitions of citizens of New York, remonstrating against the renewal of a patent heretofore granted to Jethro Wood for an improvement in the plough. Ordered, That they lie on the table. Mr. Dix presented the petition of Jacob B. Clarke, praying the reimbursement of certain duties alleged to have been illegally exacted by the collector of the port of New York: which was referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. Hannegan presented a memorial of citizens of Evansville, Indiana, praying the establishment of a port of entry, and the erection of a marine hospital at that place: which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Davis presented a memorial of fishermen and owners of vessels employed in the codfishery, and others, citizens of Marblehead, Massachusetts, remonstrating against the repeal of the fishing bounties and allow ances. Ordered, That it lie on the table, and be printed. Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, presented a resolution passed by the legislature of the State of Louisiana, recommending the erection of fortificationsat New Orleans, in that State: which was read. Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, presented a memorial of Francois Le Beau, Jean Bevin, and Alexis Porch, remonstrating against the confirmation of certain private land claims in Louisiana: which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims. Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, submitted the following resolution for con-sideration: Resolved, That the resolutions of the legislature of the State of Louisiana, of the 10th instant, instructing their Senators and requesting their Representatives in Congress to call the immediate attention of the gov ernment of the United States to the necessity of erecting such fortifications and armaments as will secure the city of New Orleans from invasion, be referred to the Secretary of War, and that he be instructed to report to the Senate a plan for the defence of the city of New Orleans, together with an estimate of the expenses required to perform the works which may be recommended in said plan. The following message was received from the President of the United. States, by Mr. Walker, his secretary: To the Senate of the United States: In answer to the inquiry of the Senate, contained in their resolution of the 17th instant, whether, in my "judgment, any circumstances connected with, or growing out of, the foreign relations of this country, require at this time an increase of our naval or military force;" and, if so, "what ances are," I have to express the opinion that a wise preids such increase. al message of the 2d of December last, I recommended to consideration of Congress an increase of our naval force, ur steam navy, and the raising of an adequate military force protect such of our citizens as might think proper to emigrate Since that period, I have seen no cause to recall or modify endations. On the contrary, reasons exist which, in my der it proper not only that they should be promptly carried it that additional provision should be made for the public. eration of such additional provision was brought before apmittees of the two houses of Congress, in answer to calls , in reports prepared, with my sanction, by the Secretary of Secretary of the Navy, on the 29th of December and the 8th st; a mode of communication with Congress not unusual, isting circumstances, believed to be most eligible. Subsehave confirmed me in the opinion that these recommendaper as precautionary measures. al message in regard tary of the 6th of cannot be regarded a conviction that it itions are in conform an citizens in Ore has long since beel The state of our relation the meeting of Cor 2. by which the gov Therent has procrastin eferences between th the United States to eived by the exis to the United Sta deed it proper, in my southwestern front have been reduced d an emergency aris Erew of these circ of our naval and untry in a suitable purpose to pursue su Te, both with Great az will so effectuall zaintenance of all ou se maxim of the Father of his country, that "to be prepared › of the most efficient means of preserving peace;" and that, asions of expense by cultivating peace," we should "rememtimely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently preeater disbursements to repel it." The general obligation to luty is greatly strengthened by facts known to the whole roversy respecting the Oregon Territory now exists between ates and Great Britain; and while, as far as we know, the he latter with all European nations are of the most pacific is making unusual and extraordinary armaments and warns, naval and military, both at home and in her North Amer ns. FASHINGTON, March 2 The message was read! dered. That it lie on De Staate resumed, a solution (S. R. 1 otice to the governi States will, in virt August, A. D. 152 Territory, annul er debate, and the co disguised that, however sincere may be the desire of peace, fa rupture these armaments and preparations would be used ountry. Whatever may have been the original purpose of ons, the fact is undoubted that they are now proceeding, in with a view to the contingent possibility of a war with the The general policy of making additional warlike preparanctly announced, in the speech from the throne, as late as and has since been reiterated by the ministers of the crown s of Parliament. Under this aspect of our relations with I cannot doubt the propriety of increasing our means of de- land and sea. This can give Great Britain no cause of ncrease the danger of a rupture. If, on the contrary, we r arms in security, and at last be suddenly involved in hosmaintenance of our just rights, without any adequate prepsponsibility to the country would be of the gravest character. n between the two countries be avoided, as I sincerely trust additional charge upon the treasury, in making the necesns, will not be lost; while, in the event of such a collision, indispensable for the maintenance of our national rights and no reason to change or modify the recommendations of my 47 Senate adjourned. annual message in regard to the Oregon question. The notice to abrogate the treaty of the 6th of August, 1827, is authorized by the treaty itself, and cannot be regarded as a warlike measure; and I cannot withhold my strong conviction that it should be promptly given. The other recommendations are in conformity with the existing treaty, and would afford to American citizens in Oregon no more than the same measure of protection which has long since been extended to British subjects in that Territory. The state of our relations with Mexico is still in an unsettled condition. Since the meeting of Congress another revolution has taken place in that country, by which the government has passed into the hands of new rulers. This event has procrastinated, and may possibly defeat, the settlement of the differences between the United States and that country. The minister of the United States to Mexico, at the date of the last advices, had not been received by the existing authorities. Demonstrations of a character hostile to the United States continue to be made in Mexico, which has rendered it proper, in my judgment, to keep nearly two-thirds of our army on our southwestern frontier. In doing this, many of the regular military posts have been reduced to a small force, inadequate to their defence should an emergency arise. In view of these "circumstances," it is my "judgment" that "an increase of our naval and military force is at this time required," to place the country in a suitable state of defence. At the same time, it is my settled purpose to pursue such a course of policy as may be best calculated to preserve, both with Great Britain and Mexico, an honorable peace; which nothing will so effectually promote as unanimity in our councils, and a firm maintenance of all our just rights. WASHINGTON, March 24, 1846. The message was read. Ordered, That it lie on the table, and be printed. JAMES K. POLK. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the resolution (S. R. 1) advising the President of the United States to, give notice to the government of Great Britain that the government of the United States will, in virtue of the second article of the convention of the 6th of August, A. D. 1827, between the two governments, relative to the Oregon Territory, annul and abrogate that convention: and, After debate, and the consideration, by unanimous consent, of Executive business, The Senate adjourned. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1846. The Vice President laid before the Senate a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, accompanied by seventy-five copies of the Navy Register for the year 1846: which was read. Mr. Dix presented two petitions of citizens of New York, remonstrating against the renewal of a patent heretofore granted to Jethro Wood for an improvement in the plough. Ordered, That they lie on the table. Mr. Barrow presented a petition of M. E. Levy and others, citizens of St. John's county, Florida, representing the injury they would sustain by |