THE GIFT OF Cornell University Library The original of tinis book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924092885387 The Works of James Buchanan This letterpress edition is limited to 750 copies, of which this is No The Works OF James Buchanan Comprising his Speeches, State Papers, and Private Correspondence Collected and Edited By John Bassett Moore Volume VII 1 846-1 848 Philadelphia W London B. Lippincott Company J. 1909 h>^97^^^ Copyright, 1909 By B. LippiNcoTT Company J. Printed by y. B. Lippincott Company Tbe ffashington Square Press, PbUadelphla, U. S. A " CONTENTS of VOLUME VII 1846. ''*™ To Mr. McLane, June 6 i Allows for funeral expenses of secretary of legation, London. To Mr. McLane, June 6 2 Transmits copy of projet of convention submitted by Great Britain as to Oregon. To Mr. McLane, June 6 3 Advises him confidentially on projet of convention submitted by Great Britain as to Oregon. Message of President Polk on a Treaty with Hesse-Cassel, June 6. 4 To Mr. Bidlack, June 8 4 Instructs him as to remitting indemnity to be paid by New Granada for schooner "Yankee." To Mr. Naar, June 9 '. 5 Instructs him that refusal of a master to deposit register at St. Thomas was legal. Message of President Polk on a Treaty as to Oregon, June 10 6 To Mr. Ward, June 11 7 Informs him concerning successor to late consul at Muscat—Instructs him as to inter- course with authorities at Zanzibar—Consular duties in regard to slave-trading vessels. To Mr. Wagner, June 12 , g Instructs him as to Mexican schooner "Juanita," captured by U. S. schooner " Flirt and brought to New Orleans. To Mr. Clay, June 13 10 Advises him of Senate's acceptance of projet of convention submitted by Great Britain. To Mr. McLane, June 13 11 Same subject. Message of President Polk on the Oregon Treaty, June 16 12 To Mr. Johnson, June 18 12 Commends request of Belgian minister that steam packets be directed to touch at Antwerp en route to Bremen. To Mr. Naar, June 19 13 Advises him as to evidence required in case of a master refusing to deposit register after entry at St. Thomas. To General Armstrong, June 22 14 Appoints him bearer of despatch to American minister in London, with ratified copy of treaty as to Oregon. To Mr. Everett, June 22 15 Transmits full power to negotiate with Japan. To Mr. Graham, June 22 15 Declines to present claim against Mexico for seizure of schooner—No power to grant letter of reprisal. V vi THE WORKS OF JAMES BUCHANAN To Mr. McLane, June 22 ^^ Instructions for exchange of ratification of treaty as to Oregon. To Mr. McLane, June 22 ^7 Transmits letter of recall as minister to Great Britain. Message of President Polk on a Treaty with Nassau, June 23 18 To Mr. Naar, June 24 '^ Instructs him as to shipment and discharge of seamen. To THE Speaker of the House, June 24 ^^ Transmits annual statement as to number of seamen registered in U. S. ports. To the Speaker of the House, June 24 20 Transmits annual statement on immigration. To Mr. Elmore, June 26 ^^ Thanks him for undertaking to procure competent persons to improve cotton cul- ture in Turkey. To Mr. Ingersoll, June 26 22 Transmits note for Portuguese minister as to duties on Portuguese wines. To THE President, June 29 22 Transmits correspondence, called for by House, relative to appearance of district attorney as counsel for Alexander McLeod. To Mr. McDuffie, June 30 23 Recommends legislation to authorize privateers against Mexico. To Mr. BiLLE, July i M Acknowledges note as to Danish Sound and Belt dues. To Miss Lane, July 3 25 Comments on personal matters. Message of President Polk on a Treaty with Hanover, July 7 26 To Mr. McLane, July 13 27 Calls attention to omission of British Government to refund duties collected in violation of treaty of July 3, 1815. To Mr. Wise, July 13 28 States rule governing employment of bearer of despatches. To Mr. Larkin, July 14 29 Instructs him that consuls have no authority to perform marriage ceremony. To Mr. Lewis, July 14 30 Responds to request for information as to Mexican indemnity due in 1844 and not paid. To Mr. Clemson, July 18 32 Transmits, with instructions, complaint as to refusal of Belgian consul at New York to certify to consignment to be transshipped to Antwerp. To the President, July 18 33 Transmits information, called for by Senate, concerning Oregon Territory. To the President, July 21 34 Submits correspondence, called for by Senate, on Oregon treaty—Discusses propriety of communicating despatches from U. S. minister containing confidential information. Message of President Polk on the Oregon Settlement, July 21 37 To Mr. Donelson, July 23 38 Transmits ratified copy of convention with Nassau as to droit d'aubaine—Acknowl- edges Mr. Wheaton's despatches. CONTENTS OF VOLUME VII vii To Commodore Conner, July 27 38 Transmits note to Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations. To THE Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations, July 27 40 Proposes negotiations for peace. To Mr. Hunt, July 27 41 Indicates lack of power in President to remove slave-trade convicts confined in Charleston jail. To Mr. McLane, July 27 41 Approves his response to reference made by Lord Aberdeen as to mediation between United States and Mexico—^Denies that mediation has been offered. To Mr. McDuffie, July 29 , 43 Transmits letter on commercial treaty with New Granada awaiting ratification by Senate. To Mr. Forney, July 29 43 Expresses personal views as to the Tariff Bill before Congress. To Mr. Saunders, July 31 45 Instructs him as to use of despatch bags. To Mr. Forney, August i 46 Expresses personal views as to attitude to be assumed toward new Tariff Act. To Mr. King, August 3 48 Replies]|^respecting a. seizure made some years before by Great Britain of certain American fishing schooners. Message of President Polk on Negotiations with Mexico, August 4. 49 To Mr. Davis, August 5 50 Transmits statistics requested respecting "the late Bankrupt Law.'' To Mr. McDuffie, August 5 52 Transmits communication relative to the authorizing of privateering by Mexico. To Mr. Lewis, August 7 52 Recommends appropriation of two millions for use in negotiations of peace with Mexico. To Senor Calderon de la Barca, August 8 54 Communicates act of Congress for refunding discriminating tonnage duties on Spanish vessels. Message of President Polk on the War with Mexico, August 8 54 To Mr. King, August 12 55 Transmits letter of recall as minister to France. To Mr. Mann, August 12 56 Explains postponement of ratification of commercial treaty with Hanover. To General Alvear, August 14 58 Disavows the improper conduct toward Argentina of the special agent to advise respecting recognition of Paraguay. To Mr. Donelson, August 14 60 Explains mistake, due to ignorance of German language, in regard to ratification of treaty with Bavaria. To Governor Colebrooke, August 17 61 ' " Informs him of appointment of agents to adjust ' Disputed Territory Fund account of New Brunswick. To Governor Anderson, August 18 62 Encloses letter introducing American agents appointed to adjust "Disputed Terri- tory Fund," viii THE WORKS OF JAMES BUCHANAN To Mr. Cakr, August i8 ^ culture Writes to introduce two Americans engaged at the request of the Sultan for of cotton in Turkey. To Me. Crampton, August i8 ^4 Encloses copy of letter to Governor Colebrooke. To Mk. Pakenham, August i8 °4 Requests letter of introduction for agents to adjust "Disputed Territory Fund." To Mr. Palfrey, August i8 ^S Encloses letter of introduction of agents for adjustment of "Disputed Territory Fund." From Mr. Rush, August i8 66 Expresses views on Oregon treaty—New tariff measure—Polk's attitude toward Mexico. To Messrs. Kirkland and Chase, August 19 67 Replies to inquiry concerning safety of American vessels going to Argentina. To Mr. Larkin, August 19 68 Requests evidence concerning alleged capture in 1833 of an American brig by Mexican pirates. To Mr. Toby, August 19 69 Transmits copy of convention with New Granada in settlement of claim of the "Josephine." To Mr. Huren, August 20 70 Declines to grant passport to person who has only declared his intention to become a citizen. To Mr. Norvell, August 20 71 Instructs him to examine into complaint against the arrest in Michigan of a British land agent—Boundary line. To M. Pageot, August 22 71 Declines to issue proclamation under act of March 3, 1845, till tonnage duties on American vessels at St. Pierre and Miquelon are modified. To Mr. Forney, August 22 73 Expresses views on attitude of the Democracy of Pennsylvania toward the tariff. To Mr. Mason, August 24 ^l Furnishes information as to progress made toward a convention with Peru for settle- ment of American claims. To Mr. Pakenham, August 24 75 Transmits copy of Treasury instructions for refimding excess duties on British goods. To Senor Calderon de la Barca, August 25 75 Transmits copy of Treasury instructions as to tonnage duty on Spanish vessels. To Chevalier Hulsem ann, August 25 76 Informs him of preparedness to discuss an extradition treaty—Difficulties affecting existing commercial treaty. To Mr. Martin, August 25 "j-j Transmits copy of Treasury instructions as to duties on Sicilian wines. To Mr. Matthews, August 25 -j-j Acknowledges letter urging international copyright arrangement with Great Britain. To Mr. Saunders, August 25 78 Instructs him to protest against exaction by Cuban authorities of additional tonnage duty on American vessels.