To all who have been thus engaged the executive department, responding to the universal sentiment of the country, has already awarded the meed of approbation.  There must, however, in all such cases be some who, availing themselves of the occasions which fortune afforded, have distinguished themselves for “gallant actions and meritorious conduct” beyond the usual high gallantry and great merit which an intelligent public opinion concedes to the whole Army.  To express to these the sense which their Government cherishes of their public conduct and to hold up to their fellow-citizens the bright example of their courage, constancy, and patriotic devotion would seem to be but the performance of the very duty contemplated by that provision of our laws which authorizes the issuing of brevet commissions.

Fortunately for the country, a long peace, interrupted only by difficulties with Indians at particular points, has afforded few occasions for the exercise of this power, and it may be regarded as favorable to the encouragement of a proper military spirit throughout the Army that an opportunity is now given to evince the readiness of the Government to reward unusual merit with a peculiar and lasting distinction.

I therefore nominate to the Senate the persons whose names are contained in the accompanying list[72] for brevet commissions for services in Florida.  That the number is large is evidence only of the value of the services rendered during a contest that has continued nearly as long as the War of the Revolution.  The difficulty has been to reduce the number as much as possible without injustice to any, and to accomplish this great and mature consideration has been bestowed on the case of every officer who has served in Florida.

JOHN TYLER.

[Footnote 72:  Omitted.]

WASHINGTON, May 24, 1842.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit herewith to the Senate a treaty recently concluded with the
Wyandott tribe of Indians, and request the advice and consent of the
Senate to the ratification of the same as proposed to be modified by the
War Department.

JOHN TYLER.

WASHINGTON, June 1, 1842.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I herewith transmit a report from the Acting Commissioner of the General Land Office and the documents accompanying the same (from No. 1 to No. 7), in relation to the conduct of N.P.  Taylor, present register and former clerk in the land office at St. Louis, in compliance with your resolution of the 9th May.

JOHN TYLER.

WASHINGTON, June 10, 1842.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I submit herewith a treaty concluded at Buffalo Creek on the 20th day of May last between the United States and the Seneca Nation of Indians, for your advice and consent to its ratification, together with a report on the subject from the War Department.