I transmit you a report of the Secretary of State, with sundry documents, relative to the subject of your resolution of the 24th instant.[27] JOHN ADAMS. [Footnote 27: Relating to depredations on American commerce by British ships of war; lists of captured American vessels, etc.] UNITED STATES, _February 27, 1801_. _Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_: I transmit to you, in conformity with your request of the 17th instant, two reports, one from the Acting Secretary of War, the other from the Secretary of the Treasury, of the 26th,[28] with details of the expenditure of the moneys appropriated by the acts of the 20th [4th] of May and 6th of July, 1798, and of the 10th of May, 1800. JOHN ADAMS. [Footnote 28: Estimates of the necessary expenditures for the purchase and fabrication of arms and cannon and establishment of foundries and armories, 1798-1801, and statement of appropriations for above purposes and of warrants drawn on same to December 31, 1800.] JANUARY 12, 1802. _Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_: According to the request in your resolution of the 8th instant, I now lay before you a letter from the Secretary of State, containing an estimate of the expenses necessary for carrying into effect the convention between the United States of America and the French Republic. TH: JEFFERSON. FEBRUARY 8, 1802. _Gentlemen of the House of Representatives_: In compliance with your resolution of the 2d instant, I have to inform you that early in the preceding summer I took measures for carrying into effect the act passed on the 19th of February, 1799, and that of the 13th of May, 1800, mentioned in your resolution. The objects of these acts were understood to be to purchase from the Indians south of the Ohio some portions of land peculiarly interesting to the Union or to particular States and the establishment of certain roads to facilitate communication with our distant settlements. Commissioners were accordingly appointed to treat with the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks. As these nations are known to be very jealous on the subject of their lands, the commissioners were instructed, as will be seen by the inclosed extract, to enlarge, restrain, or even to suppress propositions as appearances should indicate to be expedient. Their first meeting was with the Cherokees. The extract from the speech of our commissioners and the answers of the Cherokee chiefs will show the caution of the former and the temper of the latter, and that though our overtures to them were moderate and respectful of their rights, their determination was to yield no accommodation.