JAMES MONROE.

WASHINGTON, January 18, 1825.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: 

I communicate herewith to both Houses of Congress copies of the convention between the United States and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, concluded at St. Petersburg on the 5th (17th) of April last, which has been duly ratified on both sides, and the ratifications of which were exchanged on the 11th instant.

JAMES MONROE.

WASHINGTON, January 20, 1825.

To the House of Representatives of the United States: 

In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 19th of December, 1822, requesting the President to communicate “what progress has been made in the execution of the act of the last session entitled ‘An act to abolish the Indian trading establishments,’ with a report from the factories, respectively, as the same may be made to him,” I herewith transmit a report from the Secretary of the Treasury, with documents, which contains the information requested.

JAMES MONROE.

WASHINGTON, January 27, 1825.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: 

Being deeply impressed with the opinion that the removal of the Indian tribes from the lands which they now occupy within the limits of the several States and Territories to the country lying westward and northward thereof, within our acknowledged boundaries, is of very high importance to our Union, and may be accomplished on conditions and in a manner to promote the interest and happiness of those tribes, the attention of the Government has been long drawn with great solicitude to the object.  For the removal of the tribes within the limits of the State of Georgia the motive has been peculiarly strong, arising from the compact with that State whereby the United States are bound to extinguish the Indian title to the lands within it whenever it may be done peaceably and on reasonable conditions.  In the fulfillment of this compact, I have thought that the United States should act with a generous spirit; that they should omit nothing which should comport with a liberal construction of the instrument and likewise be in accordance with the just rights of those tribes.  From the view which I have taken of the subject I am satisfied that in the discharge of these important duties in regard to both the parties alluded to the United States will have to encounter no conflicting interests with either.  On the contrary, that the removal of the tribes from the territory which they now inhabit to that which was designated in the message at the commencement of the session, which would accomplish the object for Georgia, under a well-digested plan for their government and civilization, which should be agreeable to themselves, would not only shield them from impending ruin, but promote their welfare and happiness.  Experience has clearly demonstrated that in their present state it is impossible to incorporate them in such masses, in any form whatever, into our system.  It has also demonstrated with equal certainty that without a timely anticipation of and provision against the dangers to which they are exposed, under causes which it will be difficult, if not impossible, to control, their degradation and extermination will be inevitable.