In compliance with a resolution of the House of the 16th instant, I transmit a report[008] from the Secretary of State, containing the information thereby requested.

John Quincy Adams.

Washington,
May 20, 1826.

To the Senate of the United States: 

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 5th of March, 1824, requesting copies of the several instructions to the ministers of the United States to the Government of France and of the correspondence between the said ministers and Government having reference to the spoliations committed by that power on the commerce of the United States anterior to the 30th of September, 1800, or so much thereof as can be communicated without prejudice to the public interest; also how far, if at all, the claim of indemnity from the Government of France for the spoliations aforesaid was affected by the convention entered into between the United States and France on the said 30th of September, 1800, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, with the documents desired by the resolution.

John Quincy Adams.

EXECUTIVE ORDER.

Adjutant-General’s Office,

Washington,
July 11, 1826

General Orders.

The General in Chief has received from the Department of War the following orders: 

The President with deep regret announces to the Army that it has pleased the Disposer of All Human Events, in whose hands are the issues of life, to remove from the scene of earthly existence our illustrious and venerated fellow-citizen, Thomas Jefferson.

This dispensation of Divine Providence, afflicting to us, but the consummation of glory to him, occurred on the 4th of the present month—–­ on the fiftieth anniversary of that Independence the Declaration of which, emanating from his mind, at once proclaimed the birth of a free nation and offered motives of hope and consolation to the whole family of man.  Sharing in the grief which every heart must feel for so heavy and afflicting a public loss, and desirous to express his high sense of the vast debt of gratitude which is due to the virtues, talents, and ever-memorable services of the illustrious deceased, the President directs that funeral honors be paid to him at all the military stations, and that the officers of the Army wear crape on the left arm, by way of mourning, for six months.

Major-General Brown will give the necessary orders for carrying into effect the foregoing directions.

J. Barbour.

* * * * *

It has become the painful duty of the Secretary of War to announce to the Army the death of another distinguished and venerated citizen.  John Adams departed this life on the 4th of this month.  Like his compatriot Jefferson, he aided in drawing and ably supporting the Declaration of Independence.  With a prophetic eye he looked through the impending difficulties of the Revolution and foretold with what demonstrations of joy the anniversary of the birth of American freedom would be hailed.  He was permitted to behold the verification of his prophecy, and died, as did Jefferson, on the day of the jubilee.