Instructions have been given to the commissioner of the United States under our convention with Texas for the demarcation of the line which separates us from that Republic.  The commissioners of both Governments met in New Orleans in August last.  The joint commission was organized, and adjourned to convene at the same place on the 12th of October.  It is presumed to be now in the performance of its duties.

The new Government of Texas has shown its desire to cultivate friendly relations with us by a prompt reparation for injuries complained of in the cases of two vessels of the United States.

With Central America a convention has been concluded for the renewal of its former treaty with the United States.  This was not ratified before the departure of our late charge d’affaires from that country, and the copy of it brought by him was not received before the adjournment of the Senate at the last session.  In the meanwhile, the period limited for the exchange of ratifications having expired, I deemed it expedient, in consequence of the death of the charge d’affaires, to send a special agent to Central America to close the affairs of our mission there and to arrange with the Government an extension of the time for the exchange of ratifications.

The commission created by the States which formerly composed the Republic of Colombia for adjusting the claims against that Government has by a very unexpected construction of the treaty under which it acts decided that no provision was made for those claims of citizens of the United States which arose from captures by Colombian privateers and were adjudged against the claimants in the judicial tribunals.  This decision will compel the United States to apply to the several Governments formerly united for redress.  With all these—­New Granada, Venezuela, and Ecuador—­a perfectly good understanding exists.  Our treaty with Venezuela is faithfully carried into execution, and that country, in the enjoyment of tranquillity, is gradually advancing in prosperity under the guidance of its present distinguished President, General Paez.  With Ecuador a liberal commercial convention has lately been concluded, which will be transmitted to the Senate at an early day.

With the great American Empire of Brazil our relations continue unchanged, as does our friendly intercourse with the other Governments of South America—­the Argentine Republic and the Republics of Uruguay, Chili, Peru, and Bolivia.  The dissolution of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation may occasion some temporary inconvenience to our citizens in that quarter, but the obligations on the new Governments which have arisen out of that Confederation to observe its treaty stipulations will no doubt be soon understood, and it is presumed that no indisposition will exist to fulfill those which it contracted with the United States.