In consequence of your request to me conveyed in your resolution of the 4th of this month, I directed the Secretary of State to lay before me copies of the papers intended.[25] These copies, together with his report, I now transmit to the House of Representatives, for the consideration of the members. JOHN ADAMS. [Footnote 25: Relating to the surrender by the United States to Great Britain of Thomas Nash, charged with murder and piracy on the British frigate _Hermione_.] UNITED STATES, _February 17, 1800_. _Gentlemen of the Senate_: I now lay before you the instructions given to our minister at the Court of Berlin, with the correspondence, respecting the negotiation of the treaty with Prussia, according to your request of the 12th of this month. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, _April 17, 1800_. _Gentlemen of the Senate_: In conformity with your request, I transmit you a return from the War Office of those officers who have been appointed under the act entitled "An act to augment the Army of the United States, and for other purposes," designating such officers who have accepted their appointments and those who have declined accepting, resigned their commissions, died, etc. A report from the Secretary of War, which accompanied this return, as it contains observations which may throw some light upon the subject, I transmit with it. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, _December 22, 1800_. _Gentlemen of the Senate_: In conformity with your request in your resolution of the 19th of this month, I transmit you the instructions given to our late envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary to the French Republic. It is my request to the Senate that these instructions may be considered in strict confidence and returned to me as soon as the Senate shall have made all the use of them they may judge necessary. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, _January 16, 1801_. _Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_: I now transmit to both Houses of Congress, in conformity to law, my annual account of the application of grants for the contingent charges of Government for the year 1800. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, _February 20, 1801_. _Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_: The inclosed report[26] to me, made by the Acting Secretary of War on the 14th of this month, appears to be so well founded in all respects that I recommend it to the consideration of Congress. JOHN ADAMS. [Footnote 26: Relating to the inconveniences arising from the want of a competent general staff of the Army.] UNITED STATES, _February 20, 1801_. _Gentlemen of the Senate_: I request of the Senate that the letter and journal of our late envoys to France and the copy of their instructions and other documents relative to that negotiation may be returned to me or to the Office of State. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, _February 27, 1801_. _Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_: