In my message to Congress at the commencement of the present session, in adverting to the territory of the United States on the Pacific Ocean north of the forty-second degree of north latitude, a part of which is claimed by Great Britain, I remarked that “in advance of the acquirement of individual rights to these lands sound policy dictates that every effort should be resorted to by the two Governments to settle their respective claims,” and also stated that I should not delay to urge on Great Britain the importance of an early settlement.  Measures have been already taken in pursuance of the purpose thus expressed, and under these circumstances I do not deem it consistent with the public interest to make any communication on the subject.

JOHN TYLER.

WASHINGTON, December 23, 1842.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I herewith communicate to the Senate a report[81] from the Secretary of State, in answer to a resolution of the Senate adopted on the 22d instant.

JOHN TYLER.

[Footnote 81:  Stating that the special minister from Great Britain to the United States made no proposition, informal or otherwise, to the negotiator on the part of the United States for the assumption or guaranty of the State debts by the Government of the United States to the holders of said debts.]

WASHINGTON, December 29, 1842.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I herewith transmit to the Senate a report[82] from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers, in answer to their resolution of the 27th instant.

JOHN TYLER.

[Footnote 82:  Transmitting correspondence between the United States minister at London and the British Government in relation to certain slaves taken from the wreck of the schooner Hermosa and liberated by the authorities at Nassau, New Providence.]

WASHINGTON, December 30, 1842.

To the Senate of the United States: 

In reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 14th December, I transmit herewith the accompanying letter[83] from the Secretary of the Navy and the statement thereto appended from the Bureau of Equipment and Construction.

JOHN TYLER.

[Footnote 83:  Relating to the strength and expense of maintaining the African Squadron under the late British treaty, the number of guns it is expected to have afloat in the United States Navy during 1843, and the estimated expense of the naval establishment for 1843.]

WASHINGTON, December 30, 1842.

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

I communicate herewith to Congress copies of a correspondence which has recently taken place between certain agents of the Government of the Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands and the Secretary of State.

The condition of those islands has excited a good deal of interest, which is increasing by every successive proof that their inhabitants are making progress in civilization and becoming more and more competent to maintain regular and orderly civil government.  They lie in the Pacific Ocean, much nearer to this continent than the other, and have become an important place for the refitment and provisioning of American and European vessels.