yet the expediency of granting further protection is submitted to your
consideration.

The measures of defense authorized by existing laws have been pursued
with the zeal and activity due to so important an object, and with all
the dispatch practicable in so extensive and great an undertaking. The
survey of our maritime and inland frontiers has been continued, and at
the points where it was decided to erect fortifications the work has
been commenced, and in some instances considerable progress has been
made. In compliance with resolutions of the last session, the Board of
Commissioners were directed to examine in a particular manner the parts
of the coast therein designated and to report their opinion of the
most suitable sites for two naval depots. This work is in a train of
execution. The opinion of the Board on this subject, with a plan of all
the works necessary to a general system of defense so far as it has been
formed, will be laid before Congress in a report from the proper
department as soon as it can be prepared.

In conformity with the appropriations of the last session, treaties have
been formed with the Quapaw tribe of Indians, inhabiting the country on
the Arkansaw, and with the Great and Little Osages north of the White
River; with the tribes in the State of Indiana; with the several tribes
within the State of Ohio and the Michigan Territory, and with the
Chickasaws, by which very extensive cessions of territory have been made
to the United States. Negotiations are now depending with the tribes in
the Illinois Territory and with the Choctaws, by which it is expected
that other extensive cessions will be made. I take great interest
in stating that the cessions already made, which are considered so
important to the United States, have been obtained on conditions very
satisfactory to the Indians.