I have directed my private secretary to lay before you a copy of the adoption by the legislature of South Carolina of the articles proposed by Congress to the legislatures of the several States as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, together with the copy of a letter from the governor of the State of South Carolina to the President of the United States, which have lately come to my hands. The originals of the foregoing will be lodged in the office of the Secretary of State. GEORGE WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, _April 5, 1790_. _Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives_: I have directed my private secretary to lay before you copies of three acts of the legislature of the State of New York, which have been transmitted to me by the governor thereof, viz: "An act declaring it to be the duty of the sheriffs of the several counties within this State to receive and safe keep such prisoners as shall be committed under the authority of the United States." "An act for vesting in the United States of America the light-house and the lands thereunto belonging at Sandy Hook." "An act ratifying certain articles in addition to and amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress." A copy of a letter accompanying said acts, from the governor of the State of New York to the President of the United States, will at the same time be laid before you, and the originals be deposited in the office of the Secretary of State. GEORGE WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, _May 31, 1790_. _Gentlemen of the Senate_: Mr. de Poiery served in the American Army for several of the last years of the late war as secretary to Major-General the Marquis de Lafayette, and might probably at that time have obtained the commission of captain from Congress upon application to that body. At present he is an officer in the French national guards, and solicits a brevet commission from the United States of America. I am authorized to add, that while the compliance will involve no expense on our part, it will be particularly grateful to that friend of America, the Marquis de Lafayette. I therefore nominate M. de Poiery to be a captain by brevet. GEORGE WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, _June 1, 1790_. _Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives_: Having received official information of the accession of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to the Constitution of the United States, I take the earliest opportunity of communicating the same to you, with my congratulations on this happy event, which unites under the General Government all the States which were originally confederated, and have directed my secretary to lay before you a copy of the letter from the president of the convention of the State of Rhode Island to the President of the United States. GEORGE WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, _June 11, 1790_. _Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives_: