SIR:[179] In the course of the contest which has commenced in a portion of the territory of Great Britain between portions of the population and the Government some of our citizens may, from their connection with the settlers and from their love of enterprise and desire of change, be induced to forget their duty to their own Government and its obligations to foreign powers. It is the fixed determination of the President faithfully to discharge, so far as his power extends, all the obligations of this Government, and that obligation especially which requires that we shall abstain under every temptation from intermeddling with the domestic disputes of other nations. You are therefore earnestly enjoined to be attentive to all movements of a hostile character contemplated or attempted within your district, and to prosecute without discrimination all violators of those laws of the United States which have been enacted to preserve peace with foreign powers and to fulfill all the obligations of our treaties with them. I am, sir, your obedient servant, JOHN FORSYTH. [Footnote 179: Sent to the United States attorney at Rockingham, Vt., and to the district attorneys for the northern district of New York and the Michigan district.] [From Congressional Globe, Vol. VII, Appendix, p. 245.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, December 7, 1837._ His Excellency WILLAM L. MARCY, _Governor of the State of New York._ SIR: A contest having commenced in a territory of Great Britain adjoining the United States between portions of the population and government, during which attempts may be made to violate the laws of the United States passed to preserve the relations of amity with foreign powers and to fulfill the obligations of our treaties with them, by the directions of the President I have the honor to request the attention of your excellency to any movements of that character that may be contemplated in the State of New York and your prompt interference to arrest the parties concerned if any preparations are made of a hostile nature against any foreign power in amity with the United States. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, JOHN FORSYTH. [Sent also to the governors of Vermont and Michigan.] [From House Ex. Doc. No. 163, Fiftieth Congress, first session, p. 6.] EXECUTIVE ORDERS TOUCHING DISPOSAL OF FLAGS CAPTURED IN WAR WITH MEXICO. DECEMBER 26, 1848. Pursuant to the second section of act approved April 18, 1814, directing that all flags, standards, and colors taken by the Army and Navy of the United States from their enemies be preserved and displayed under the direction of the President of the United States in such public place as he shall deem proper, the Secretary of War is directed to take measures to cause the flags, standards, and colors taken by the Army of the United States from their enemies in the recent war with Mexico to be deposited for the purpose specified in the act in the Military Academy at West Point.