Your attention is again invited to the question of reciprocal trade between the United States and Canada and other British possessions near our frontier.  Overtures for a convention upon this subject have been received from Her Britannic Majesty’s minister plenipotentiary, but it seems to be in many respects preferable that the matter should be regulated by reciprocal legislation.  Documents are laid before you showing the terms which the British Government is willing to offer and the measures which it may adopt if some arrangement upon this subject shall not be made.

From the accompanying copy of a note from the British legation at Washington and the reply of the Department of State thereto it will appear that Her Britannic Majesty’s Government is desirous that a part of the boundary line between Oregon and the British possessions should be authoritatively marked out, and that an intention was expressed to apply to Congress for an appropriation to defray the expense thereof on the part of the United States.  Your attention to this subject is accordingly invited and a proper appropriation recommended.  A convention for the adjustment of claims of citizens of the United States against Portugal has been concluded and the ratifications have been exchanged.  The first installment of the amount to be paid by Portugal fell due on the 30th of September last and has been paid.  The President of the French Republic, according to the provisions of the convention, has been selected as arbiter in the case of the General Armstrong, and has signified that he accepts the trust and the high satisfaction he feels in acting as the common friend of two nations with which France is united by sentiments of sincere and lasting amity.

The Turkish Government has expressed its thanks for the kind reception given to the Sultan’s agent, Amin Bey, on the occasion of his recent visit to the United States.  On the 28th of February last a dispatch was addressed by the Secretary of State to Mr. Marsh, the American minister at Constantinople, instructing him to ask of the Turkish Government permission for the Hungarians then imprisoned within the dominions of the Sublime Porte to remove to this country.  On the 3d of March last both Houses of Congress passed a resolution requesting the President to authorize the employment of a public vessel to convey to this country Louis Kossuth and his associates in captivity.  The instruction above referred to was complied with, and the Turkish Government having released Governor Kossuth and his companions from prison, on the 10th of September last they embarked on board of the United States steam frigate Mississippi, which was selected to carry into effect the resolution of Congress.  Governor Kossuth left the Mississippi at Gibraltar for the purpose of making a visit to England, and may shortly be expected in New York.  By communications to the Department of State he has expressed his grateful acknowledgments for the interposition of this Government in behalf of himself and his associates.  This country has been justly regarded as a safe asylum for those whom political events have exiled from their own homes in Europe. and it is recommended to Congress to consider in what manner Governor Kossuth and his companions, brought hither by its authority, shall be received and treated.