independence.  A course of conduct such as has been described on the part of Mexico, in violation of all friendly feeling and of the courtesy which should characterize the intercourse between the nations of the earth, might well justify the United States in a resort to any measures to vindicate their national honor; but, actuated by a sincere desire to preserve the general peace, and in view of the present condition of Mexico, the Executive, resting upon its integrity, and not fearing but that the judgment of the world will duly appreciate its motives, abstains from recommending to Congress a resort to measures of redress and contents itself with reurging upon that body prompt and immediate action on the subject of annexation.  By adopting that measure the United States will be in the exercise of an undoubted right; and if Mexico, not regarding their forbearance, shall aggravate the injustice of her conduct by a declaration of war against them, upon her head will rest all the responsibility.

JOHN TYLER.

WASHINGTON, December 23, 1844.

To the Senate of the United States: 

The messenger who lately bore to Berlin the ratified copy of the convention for the mutual abolition of the droit d’aubaine and taxes on emigration between the United States of America and the Grand Duchy of Hesse, has just returned to Washington, bearing with him the exchange copy of said convention.  It appears that the exchange of ratifications did not take place until the 16th day of October, twenty days after the period fixed by the convention itself for that purpose.  This informality, which it would seem was occasioned by the absence from Berlin of the plenipotentiary from Hesse and by the time necessarily required for the preparation of the document, has been waived by the representative of that Government.

This subject is now submitted for the consideration of the Senate.

JOHN TYLER.

WASHINGTON, December 23, 1844.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I herewith transmit a letter from the Secretary of State, accompanied by copies of the correspondence[136] asked for by your resolution of the 12th instant.

JOHN TYLER.

[Footnote 136:  Extracts from the instructions of the Department of State to the United States minister to France relative to the proposed annexation of Texas, etc.]

WASHINGTON, January 2, 1845.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, accompanied by a copy of a letter[137] from Mr. Raymond, secretary of legation and charge d’affaires ad interim of the Republic of Texas, in answer to the Senate’s resolution of the 16th December last.

JOHN TYLER.

[Footnote 137:  Relating to the public debt and public lands of the Republic of Texas.]

WASHINGTON, January 2, 1845.