On the 14th of July, 1832, an appropriation of the sum of $5,000 was made “to enable the President of the United States to contract with a skillful artist to execute in marble a pedestrian statue of George Washington, to be placed in the center of the Rotunda of the Capitol,” and several appropriations were made at the succeeding sessions in furtherance of the same object.

Mr. Greenough, having been employed upon the work for several years at Florence, completed it some months ago.

By a resolution of Congress of the 27th of May, 1840, it was directed “that the Secretary of the Navy be authorized and instructed to take measures for the importation and erection of the statue of Washington by Greenough.”  In pursuance of this authority the Navy Department held a correspondence with Commodore Hull, commanding on the Mediterranean station, who entered into an agreement with the owners or master of the ship Sea for the transportation of the statue to the United States.  This ship, with the statue on board, arrived in this city on the 31st ultimo, and now lies at the navy-yard.

As appropriations have become necessary for the payment of the freight and other expenses, I communicate to Congress such papers as may enable it to judge of the amount required.

JOHN TYLER.

AUGUST 3, 1841.

Hon. JOHN WHITE,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

SIR:  I herewith transmit a communication[9] received from the
Postmaster-General, to which I would invite the attention of Congress.

JOHN TYLER.

[Footnote 9:  Asking for a further appropriation for completing the new General Post-Office building.]

AUGUST 3, 1841.

To the House of Representatives: 

I herewith transmit a report from the Secretary of the Treasury, to whom I referred the resolution of the House calling for a communication[10] addressed to him by the French minister.

JOHN TYLER.

[Footnote 10:  Relating to the commerce and navigation between France and the United States.]

WASHINGTON, August 6, 1841.

To the House of Representatives: 

In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 16th of July, 1841, I communicate reports[11] from the several Executive Departments, containing the information requested by said resolution.

JOHN TYLER.

[Footnote 11:  Transmitting list of officers deriving their appointments from the nomination of the President and the concurrence of the Senate who were removed from office since March 4, 1841, and also those who were removed from March 4, 1829, to March 4, 1841.]

WASHINGTON, August 25, 1841.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I herewith transmit to the Senate, in pursuance of their resolution of the 22d ultimo, copies of the several reports of the commissioners appointed in March last to examine into certain matters connected with the public buildings in this city and the conduct of those employed in their erection.