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

I communicate to Congress a letter from the Secretary of War, together
with a report of the Chief Engineer, and certain acts of the legislature
of the State of New York proposing to the Government of the United
States the purchase of the fortifications erected at the expense of the
State on Staten Island, with the ordnance and other apparatus belonging
to or connected with the same. These papers were prepared at the close
of the last session of Congress, at too late a period to be then acted
upon.

John Quincy Adams.

Washington,
_January 16, 1827_

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

I communicate to both Houses of Congress copies of a convention between
the United States and Great Britain, signed on the 13th of November last
at London by the respective plenipotentiaries of the two Governments,
for the final settlement and liquidation of certain claims of indemnity
of citizens of the United States which had arisen under the first
article of the treaty of Ghent. It having been stipulated by this
convention that the exchange of the ratifications of the same should be
made at London, the usual proclamation of it here can only be issued
when that event shall have taken place, the notice of which can scarcely
be expected before the close of the present session of Congress. But it
has been duly ratified on the part of the United States, and by the
report of the Secretary of State and the accompanying certificate
herewith also communicated it will be seen that the first half of the
stipulated payment has been made by the minister of His Britannic
Majesty residing here, and has been deposited in the office of the Bank
of the United States at this place to await the disposal of Congress.

I recommend to their consideration the expediency of such legislative
measures as they may deem proper for the distribution of the sum already
paid, and of that hereafter to be received, among the claimants who may
be found entitled to the indemnity.

John Quincy Adams.

Washington,
_January 17, 1827_

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 10th of May last, I
transmit a report from the Secretary of the Treasury, with a letter from
the Director of the Mint, shewing the result of the assay of foreign
coins and the information otherwise relating thereto desired