The ninth section of the act passed at the last session of Congress “to authorize the payment for property lost, captured, or destroyed by the enemy while in the military service of the United States, and for other purposes,” having received a construction giving to it a scope of great and uncertain extent, I thought it proper that proceedings relative to claims under that part of the act should be suspended until Congress should have an opportunity of defining more precisely the cases contemplated by them.  With that view I now recommend the subject to their consideration.  They will have an opportunity at the same time of considering how far other provisions of the act may be rendered more clear and precise in their import.

JAMES MADISON.

DECEMBER 10, 1816.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I lay before the Senate, for their consideration and advice as to a ratification, treaties concluded with the several Indian tribes according to the following statement: 

A LIST OF INDIAN TRIBES WITH WHOM TREATIES HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE THE LAST SESSION OF CONGRESS.

Weas and Kickapoos tribes of Indians.—­Treaty concluded at Fort Harrison between Benjamin Parke and the chiefs and headmen of those tribes the 4th June, 1816.

Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pottowotomees.—­Treaty concluded at St. Louis between Governors Clarke, Edwards, and Colonel Choteau and the chiefs and headmen of those tribes on the 24th August, 1816.

Winnebago tribes.—­Made by the same persons on part United States and the headmen of this tribe at St. Louis 3d June, 1816.

Sacks of Rock River.—­Made by same at St. Louis 13th May, 1816.

Siouxs composing three tribes, the Siouxs of the Leaf, the Siouxs of the Broad Leaf, and the Siouxs who Shoot on the Pine-tops.—­Made and concluded by the same at St. Louis 1st June, 1816.

Chickasaw tribe.—­Treaty made by General Jackson, David Merrewether, esq., and Jesse Franklin, esq., and the headmen of that nation at Chickasaw council house 20th September, 1816.

Cherokee tribe.—­Treaty made by General Jackson, David Merrewether, esq., and Jesse Franklin, esq., and the headmen of that nation at Turkey Town on the 4th October, 1816.

Choctaw tribe.—­Treaty made by General John Coffee, John Rhea, and John McKee, esquires, and the headmen and warriors of that nation at the Choctaw trading house on the 24th of October, 1816.

JAMES MADISON.

DECEMBER 13, 1816.

To the Senate of the United States: 

A treaty of commerce between the United States and the King of Sweden and Norway having been concluded and signed on the 4th day of September last by their plenipotentiaries, I lay the same before the Senate for their consideration and advice as to a ratification.