April 23, 1830. Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives.

GENTLEMEN:  I transmit herewith a report from the Department of War of the survey made of Sandy Bay, Massachusetts, in conformity to the act of 2d March, 1829.

ANDREW JACKSON.

May 1, 1830. To the Senate of the United States.

GENTLEMEN:  Finding from the inclosed letter from the Secretary of the Treasury that James C. Dickson, lately nominated to be receiver of public moneys at Mount Salus, Miss., is a defaulter, I beg leave to withdraw his nomination, and to nominate in his place Hiram G. Rennels.

ANDREW JACKSON.

May 6, 1830. To the Senate of the United States.

GENTLEMEN:  The accompanying propositions, in the form of a treaty, have been recently sent to me by special messenger from the Choctaw Nation of Indians, and since it was received a protest against it has been forwarded.  Both evince a desire to cede to the United States all their country east of the Mississippi, and both are here submitted.  These measures are the voluntary acts of the Indians themselves.  The Government was not represented in the councils which adopted them, nor had it any previous intimation that such steps were in contemplation.  The Indians convened of their own accord, settled and executed the propositions contained in the treaty presented to me, and agreed to be bound by them if within three months they should receive the approbation of the President and Senate.  The other measure is equally their own.

It is certainly desirous, on various and very pressing accounts, as will appear from the accompanying documents, that some agreement should be concluded with the Indians by which an object so important as their removal beyond the territorial limits of the States may be effected.  In settling the terms of such an agreement I am disposed to exercise the utmost liberality, and to concur in any which are consistent with the Constitution and not incompatible with the interests of the United States and their duties to the Indians.  I can not, however, regard the terms proposed by the Choctaws to be in all respects of this character; but desirous of concluding an arrangement upon such as are, I have drawn up the accompanying amendments, which I propose to offer to the Choctaws if they meet the approbation of the Senate.  The conditions which they offer are such as, in my judgment, will be most likely to be acceptable to both parties and are liable to the fewest objections.  Not being tenacious, though, on the subject, I will most cheerfully adopt any modifications which on a frank interchange of opinions my constitutional advisers may suggest and which I shall be satisfied are reconcilable with my official duties.

With these views, I ask the opinion of the Senate upon the following questions: 

Will the Senate advise the conclusion of a treaty with the Choctaw Nation according to the terms which they propose?  Or will the Senate advise the conclusion of a treaty with that tribe as modified by the alterations suggested by me?  If not, what further alteration or modification will the Senate propose?