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 without any suggestion, as its importance to the community will be a sufficient recommendation to its attention.

It is of much interest to our country that our relations with our Indian neighbors should be placed upon a basis of lasting peace and friendship. Convinced of this truth, it has been the policy of the administration to seek out every possible means to accomplish this object, and give security to our frontier. At this time I deem the indications more favorable than they have been since Texas assumed her present attitude. Measures are in progress with the several tribes, which, with the aid of suitable appropriations by Congress, may enable us to attain the objects of peace and friendly intercourse. Apprised of these facts, it is desirable that the citizens of Texas should so deport themselves, as to become the aggressors in no case, but to evince a conciliatory disposition whenever it can be done consistently, with justice and humanity. Unofficially it has been communicated to the Executive that several small tribes residing within our settlements express a disposition (if the Government will assign to them a country on the frontier) to remove from their present situations. The undeviating opinion of the Executive has been, that from the establishment of trading-houses on the frontier (under prudent regulations), and the appointment of capable and honest agents, the happiest results might be anticipated for the country. The intercourse between the citizens and Indians should be regulated by acts of Congress which experience will readily suggest. The situation of Texas at this time would doubtless justify the establishment of martial law at such out-posts as are detached from the body of our population, and it does seem to me that no injury could arise from the adoption of the measure. In this communication the Executive has no hesitancy in presenting the claims of those who have been wounded and disabled in the defence of the liberties of Texas. It is the policy of all Governments to reward those who have rendered great and important services to their country, and when disabled to secure to them pensions, proportionate to their disability. The Texan Congress can not eschew the necessity of adopting this course in relation to her brave and gallant defenders. The widows and orphans of those matchless spirits who perished in the Alamo, and the heroic and gallant band who were basely massacred on the plains of Goliad, have peculiar claims upon the sensibility and justice of the Congress and the nation. It is to be regretted that the merits of this subject have not had the good fortune to claim the earlier notice of Congress. Therefore it is recommended to their immediate attention and provision.

In relation to Mexico it is proper to state that previous to the capture of the Texan schooner of war, Independence, by two Mexican brigs and a schooner of war, the Executive had issued an order for the release of all the prisoners of war who had been taken at San Jacinto, which order owing to the news of the capture was countermanded for the purposes of reprisal, if the Government of Mexico should again disregard or violate the laws of war. With a desire to release the chivalric officers and gallant crew who had so bravely maintained the honor of our flag and the citizens of Texas (among whom was our minister, the Hon. Wm. H. Wharton), the Government dispatched Col. John A. Wharton and thirty Mexican prisoners, with a cartel. He was treated by the authorities at Matamoras in a manner which has always characterized a vain and ignorant nation. Although Col. Wharton presented himself under the protection of a flag of truce, he represents "that he was not received by the Mexican authorities.