M. VAN BUREN.

[Footnote 40:  Relating to the “Buckshot war.”]

WASHINGTON, December 20, 1838.

To the House of Representatives: 

An important difference of opinion having arisen concerning the construction of an act of Congress making a grant of land to the State of Indiana,[41] and in which she feels a deep interest, I deem it proper to submit all the material facts to your consideration, with a view to procure such additional legislation as the facts of the case may appear to render proper.

The report of the Secretary of the Treasury and the documents annexed from the General Land Office will disclose all the circumstances deemed material in relation to the subject, and are herewith presented.

M. VAN BUREN.

[Footnote 41:  In aid of the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal.]

WASHINGTON, December 26, 1838.

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

I transmit for your consideration the inclosed communication and accompanying documents from the Secretary of War, relative to the present state of the Pea Patch Island, in the Delaware River, and of the operations going on there for the erection of defenses for that important channel of commerce.

It will be seen from these documents that a complete stop has been put to those operations in consequence of the island having been taken possession of by the individual claimant under the decision, in his favor, of the United States district court for the district of New Jersey, and that unless early measures are taken to bring the island within the jurisdiction of the Government great loss and injury will result to the future operations for carrying on the works.  The importance of the subject would seem to render it worthy of the early attention of Congress.

M. VAN BUREN.

WASHINGTON, December, 1838.

To the Senate: 

I transmit a letter from the Secretary of War, accompanied by a communication from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, on the subject of granting to the Chickasaw Indians subsistence for the further term of seven months.  Should it be the pleasure of the Senate to give its sanction to the measure suggested by the Commissioner for this purpose, my own will not be withheld.

M. VAN BUREN.

WASHINGTON, January 7, 1839.

To the Senate of the United States: 

In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 20th December last, I communicate to the Senate reports from the several Executive Departments, containing the information[42] called for by said resolution.

M. VAN BUREN.

[Footnote 42:  Copies of orders and instructions issued since April 14, 1836, relative to the kind of money and bank notes to be paid out on account of the United States.]

WASHINGTON, January 9, 1839.