I recommend to the consideration of Congress a just indemnification for the interest acquired by the captors of the Mishouda and Mirboha, yielded by them for the public accommodation.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

DECEMBER 5, 1803,

To the Senate of the United States: 

In compliance with the desire of the Senate expressed in their resolution of the 22d of November, on the impressment of seamen in the service of the United States by the agents of foreign nations, I now lay before the Senate a letter from the Secretary of State with a specification of the cases of which information has been received.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

DECEMBER 21, 1803.

To the Senate of the United States: 

On the 11th of January last I laid before the Senate, for their consideration and advice, a convention with Spain on the subject of indemnities for spoliations on our commerce committed by her subjects during the late war, which convention is still before the Seriate.  As this instrument did not embrace French seizures and condemnations of our vessels in the ports of Spain, for which we deemed the latter power responsible, our minister at that Court was instructed to press for an additional article, comprehending that branch of wrongs.  I now communicate what has since passed on that subject.  The Senate will judge whether the prospect it offers will justify a longer suspension of that portion of indemnities conceded by Spain should she now take no advantage of the lapse of the period for ratification.  As the settlement of the boundaries of Louisiana will call for new negotiations on our receiving possession of that Province, the claims not obtained by the convention now before the Senate may be incorporated into those discussions.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

DECEMBER 31, 1803.

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

I now lay before Congress the annual account of the fund established for defraying the contingent charges of Government.  No occasion having arisen for making use of any part of it in the present year, the balance of $18,560 unexpended at the end of the last year remains now in the Treasury.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

JANUARY 16, 1804.

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

In execution of the act of the present session of Congress for taking possession of Louisiana, as ceded to us by France, and for the temporary government thereof, Governor Claiborne, of the Mississippi Territory, and General Wilkinson were appointed commissioners to receive possession.  They proceeded with such regular troops as had been assembled at Fort Adams from the nearest posts and with some militia of the