Washington, _December 13, 1831_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:
The accompanying papers show the situation of extreme peril from which
more than sixty of our fellow-citizens have been rescued by the courage
and humanity of the master and crew of a Spanish brig. As no property
was saved, there were no means of making pecuniary satisfaction for the
risk and loss incurred in performing this humane and meritorious
service. Believing, therefore, that the obligation devolved upon the
nation, but having no funds at my disposal which I could think
constitutionally applicable to the case, I have thought honor as well as
justice required that the facts should be submitted to the consideration
of Congress, in order that they might provide not only a just indemnity
for the losses incurred, but some compensation adequate to the merits of
the service.