TH.  JEFFERSON.

JANUARY 30, 1809.

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

I transmit to Congress a letter recently received from our minister at the Court of St. James, covering one to him from the British secretary of state, with his reply.  These are communicated as forming a sequel to the correspondence which accompanied my message to both Houses of the 17th instant.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

FEBRUARY 18, 1809.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I submit a treaty, concluded at Brownstown, in the Territory of Michigan, between the United States and the Chippewas, Ottawas, Potawattamies, Wyandots, and Shawnees, on the 25th day of November last, whereby those tribes grant to the United States two roads, therein described, for the decision of the Senate whether they will advise and consent to the ratification of it.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

FEBRUARY 24, 1809.

To the Senate of the United States: 

The Emperor of Russia has on several occasions indicated sentiments particularly friendly to the United States, and expressed a wish through different channels that a diplomatic intercourse should be established between the two countries.  His high station and the relations of Russia to the predominant powers of Europe must give him weight with them according to the vicissitudes of the war, and his influence in negotiations for peace may be of value to the United States should arrangements of any sort affecting them be contemplated by other powers in the present extraordinary state of the world; and under the constant possibility of sudden negotiations for peace I have thought that the friendly dispositions of such a power might be advantageously cherished by a mission which should manifest our willingness to meet his good will.  I accordingly commissioned in the month of August last William Short, formerly minister plenipotentiary of the United States at Madrid, to proceed as minister plenipotentiary to the Court of St. Petersburg, and he proceeded accordingly; and I now nominate him to the Senate for that appointment.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

FEBRUARY 25, 1809.

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

I now lay before Congress a statement of the militia of the United States according to the latest returns received by the Department of War.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

PROCLAMATION.

[From Annals of Congress, Tenth Congress, second session, 462.]

WASHINGTON, December 30, 1808.

The President of the United States to ------, Senator for the
State of ------.

Certain matters touching the public good requiring that the Senate should be convened on Saturday, the 4th day of March next, you are desired to attend at the Senate Chamber, in the city of Washington, on that day, then and there to deliberate on such communications as shall be made to you.