I recommend to your favorable regard the local interests of the District of Columbia.  As the residence of Congress and the Executive Departments of the Government, we can not fail to feel a deep concern in its welfare.  This is heightened by the high character and the peaceful and orderly conduct of its resident inhabitants.

I can not conclude without performing the agreeable duty of expressing my gratification that Congress so kindly responded to the recommendation of my last annual message by affording me sufficient time before the close of their late session for the examination of all the bills presented to me for approval.  This change in the practice of Congress has proved to be a wholesome reform.  It exerted a beneficial influence on the transaction of legislative business and elicited the general approbation of the country.  It enabled Congress to adjourn with that dignity and deliberation so becoming to the representatives of this great Republic, without having crowded into general appropriation bills provisions foreign to their nature and of doubtful constitutionality and expediency.  Let me warmly and strongly commend this precedent established by themselves as a guide to their proceedings during the present session.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

SPECIAL MESSAGES.

WASHINGTON, December 7, 1858.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and Japan, concluded at the city of Yeddo on the 29th of July last.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

WASHINGTON, December 7, 1858.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a treaty between the United States and China, signed at Tien-tsin by the plenipotentiaries of the parties on the 18th day of June last.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 10, 1858.

The PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

SIR:  In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of June 12, 1858, I herewith communicate a report from the Secretary of the Interior, showing “the amount of money paid for pensions in each of the States and Territories since the commencement of the present Government.”

JAMES BUCHANAN.

WASHINGTON, December 10, 1858.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I transmit to Congress a copy of the treaty between the United States and the Kingdom of Siam, concluded on the 29th of May, 1856, and proclaimed on the 16th of August last, and call the attention of that body to the necessity of an act for carrying into effect the provisions of Article II of the said treaty, conferring certain judicial powers upon the consul of the United States who may be appointed to reside at Bangkok.  I would also suggest that the extension to the Kingdom of Siam of the provisions of the act approved August 11, 1848, entitled “An act to carry into effect certain provisions in the treaties between the United States and China and the Ottoman Porte, giving certain judicial powers to ministers and consuls of the United States in those countries,” might obviate the necessity of any other legislation upon the subject.