which I took of that law has not been
well understood, I hereby withdraw all the nominations on which the
Senate has not decided until I can make a more full communication and
explanation of that view and of the principles on which I have acted
in the discharge of that very delicate and important duty.

JAMES MONROE.

WASHINGTON, _March 27, 1822_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the
1st instant, requesting "the President to communicate such information
as he may possess relative to any private claim against the piece of
land in the Delaware River known by the name of the Peapatch, and to
state if any, and what, process has been instituted in behalf of such
claim," I herewith transmit a report from the Secretary of War,
furnishing the information required.

JAMES MONROE.

WASHINGTON, _March 28, 1822_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit the original reports on the subject of the fortifications on
Dauphin Island and Mobile Point, being those on which the works were
undertaken and have been in part executed. The doubt expressed as to the
propriety of publication is applicable to this document, which would
have accompanied the message of the 26th had it been prepared in time.

JAMES MONROE.

WASHINGTON, _March 29, 1822_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress the translation of two letters from the minister
of France to the Secretary of State, relating to the claim of the heirs
of Caron de Beaumarchais upon this Government, with the documents
therewith inclosed, recommending them to the favorable consideration
of Congress.

JAMES MONROE.

WASHINGTON, _April 5, 1822_.

_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:

I communicate herewith to the House a report from the Secretary of War,
containing the information requested by their resolution of the 5th
ultimo.

It may be proper further to add that the secretaries of both the
Territories have occasionally required and received the aid of the
military force of the United States stationed within them, respectively,
to carry into effect the acts of their authority.

The government of East and West Florida was under the Spanish dominion
almost exclusively military. The governors of both were military
officers and united in their persons the chief authority, both civil
and military.

The princi