I also submit to the consideration of Congress the expediency of making some special provision by law for the security of the independent and honorable position which the treaty of Wang-Hiya confers on citizens of the United States residing or doing business in China. By the twenty-first and twenty-fifth articles of the treaty (copies of which are subjoined in extenso) citizens of the United States in China are wholly exempted, as well in criminal as in civil matters, from the local jurisdiction of the Chinese Government and made amenable to the laws and subject to the jurisdiction of the appropriate authorities of the United States alone. Some action on the part of Congress seems desirable in order to give full effect to these important concessions of the Chinese Government.
JOHN TYLER.
WASHINGTON, January 29, 1845.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:
In compliance with the request of the governor of the State of Illinois, I transmit herewith a copy of certain resolutions[140] adopted by the general assembly of that State.
JOHN TYLER.
WASHINGTON, February 3, 1845.
To the Senate of the United States:
In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 2d ultimo, calling for information in reference to the indemnities stipulated to be paid pursuant to the convention between the United States and the Mexican Republic of the 30th of January, 1843, I transmit herewith reports from the Secretaries of State and of the Treasury and the documents which accompanied them.
JOHN TYLER.