to Indian affairs in the Department of the Pacific, those of the Interior as well as those of the War Department," I transmit the accompanying report and documents from the Secretary of War. FRANKLIN PIERCE. WASHINGTON, February, 1857. To the House of Representatives of the United States: I communicate herewith a letter of the Secretary of War, recommending an appropriation of $10,000 for the purpose of instituting a series of researches for the discovery of a more efficient mode of manufacturing niter. FRANKLIN PIERCE. To the Senate of the United States: WASHINGTON, February 16, 1857. In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 4th of August last, calling for information in relation to certain internal improvements, I transmit reports from the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of War. FRANKLIN PIERCE. To the Senate of the United States: WASHINGTON, February 19, 1857. I transmit for the consideration of the Senate with a view to ratification a consular convention between the United States and the Republic of Chili, signed by the plenipotentiaries of the parties at the city of Santiago on the 1st day of December last. FRANKLIN PIERCE. To the House of Representatives: WASHINGTON, February 23, 1857. I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers,† in answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 6th instant. FRANKLIN PIERCE. * Appropriations made by Congress within eleven years for light-houses, beacons, buoys, etc., on Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair, Erie, Ontario, and Champlain; duties collected and expenses of collection at each of the lake ports annually for eleven fiscal years, ending June 30, 1856; tonnage of the lake ports, etc. Relating to the claim of F. Dainese for salary, expenses, etc., while acting consul at Constantinople. To the Senate of the United States: I transmit herewith a report from the Attorney-General, in reply to the resolution* of the Senate in executive session of the 19th instant. FRANKLIN PIERCE. FEBRUARY 23, 1857. To the Senate of the United States: I communicate herewith a report from the Attorney-General, in reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 20th instant, asking for correspondence of Samuel D. Lecompte, chief justice of the Territory of Kansas.† FRANKLIN PIERCE. FEBRUARY 23, 1857. To the Senate of the United States: WASHINGTON, March 2, 1857. I communicate herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, in response to a resolution of the Senate of August 15, 1856. Concurring in the views presented in the documents to which the Secretary of the Navy refers, I am not prepared at this time to recommend any legislation on the subject. FRANKLIN PIERCE. To the Senate of the United States: WASHINGTON, March 3, 1857. In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 20th ultimo, in relation to correspondence between the Treasury and Interior Departments and Edward F. Beale, late superintendent of Indian affairs in California, and accounts of remittances, etc., I transmit the accompanying report from the Secretary of the Treasury. FRANKLIN PIERCE. To the House of Representatives: WASHINGTON, March 3, 1857. As a further answer to resolutions of the House of Representatives adopted on the 6th and 10th of February, I transmit a second report from the Secretary of State, relating to the "accounts," "claims," and "difficulties" at Constantinople, referred to in said resolutions. FRANKLIN PIERCE. Asking whether Samuel D. Lecompte has been allowed to perform the functions of chief justice of the Territory of Kansas since the nomination of J. O. Harrison to that office. + Explanatory of his judicial conduct in the Territory of Kansas. Relating to the discontinuance or change of location of any navy-yard or naval station on the Atlantic Seaboard. PROCLAMATION. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION. Whereas objects of interest to the United States require that the Senate should be convened at 12 o'clock on the 4th of March next to receive and act upon such communications as may be made to it on the part of the Executive: Now, therefore, I, Franklin Pierce, President of the United States, have considered it to be my duty to issue this my proclamation, declaring that an extraordinary occasion requires the Senate of the United States to convene for the transaction of business at the Capitol, in the city of Washington, on the 4th day of March next, at 12 o'clock at noon of that day, of which all who shall at that time be entitled to act as members of that body are hereby required to take notice. Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Washington, this 16th day of February, A. D. 1857, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-first. [SEAL.] By the President: FRANKLIN PIERCE. W. L. MARCY, Secretary of State. |