On this important acquisition, so favorable to the immediate interests of our Western citizens, so auspicious to the peace and security of the nation in general, which adds to our country territories so extensive and fertile and to our citizens new brethren to partake of the blessings of freedom and self-government, I offer to Congress and our country my sincere congratulations, TH. JEFFERSON. JANUARY 24, 1804. _Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives_: I communicate for your information a letter just received from Governor Claiborne, which may throw light on the subject of the government of Louisiana, under contemplation of the Legislature. The paper being original, a return is asked. TH. JEFFERSON. FEBRUARY 16, 1804. _To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_: Information having been received some time ago that the public lands in the neighborhood of Detroit required particular attention, the agent appointed to transact business with the Indians in that quarter was instructed to inquire into and report the situation of the titles and occupation of the lands, private and public, in the neighboring settlements. His report is now communicated, that the Legislature may judge how far its interposition is necessary to quiet the legal titles, confirm the equitable, to remove the past and prevent future intrusions which have neither law nor justice for the basis. TH. JEFFERSON. FEBRUARY 22, 1804. _To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_: I communicate to Congress, for their information, a report of the surveyor of the public buildings at Washington, stating what has been done under the act of the last session concerning the city of Washington on the Capitol and other public buildings, and the highway between them. TH. JEFFERSON. FEBRUARY 29, 1804. _To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_: I communicate, for the information of Congress, a letter stating certain fraudulent practices for monopolizing lands in Louisiana, which may perhaps require legislative provisions. TH. JEFFERSON. MARCH 20, 1804. _To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_: I communicate to Congress a letter received from Captain Bainbridge, commander of the _Philadelphia_ frigate, informing us of the wreck of that vessel on the coast of Tripoli, and that himself, his officers and men, had fallen into the hands of the Tripolitans. This accident renders it expedient to increase our force and enlarge our expenses in the Mediterranean beyond what the last appropriation for the naval service contemplated. I recommend, therefore, to the consideration of Congress such an addition to that appropriation as they may think the exigency requires. TH. JEFFERSON. MARCH 22, 1804. _To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_: