_To the House of Representatives_: I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents,[70] in answer to the resolution of the House of December 26, 1854. FRANKLIN PIERCE. [Footnote 70: Consular returns on shipping, shipbuilding, etc., in foreign countries.] WASHINGTON, _February 9, 1857_. _To the Senate of the United States_: I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers,[71] in answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 30th ultimo. FRANKLIN PIERCE. [Footnote 71: Relating to the proclamation of martial law in Washington Territory, etc.] WASHINGTON, _February 11, 1857_. _To the Senate of the United States_: In further compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 5th instant, requesting me to communicate transcripts of papers relative to the proclamation of martial law by Governor Stevens, of Washington Territory, I transmit the accompanying report from the Secretary of War. FRANKLIN PIERCE. WASHINGTON, _February 11, 1857_. _To the Senate of the United States_: I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a treaty of friendship and commerce between the United States and the Shah of Persia, signed by the plenipotentiaries of the parties at Constantinople on the 13th of December last. FRANKLIN PIERCE. WASHINGTON, _February 11, 1857_. _To the Senate of the United States_: I communicate to the Senate herewith, for its constitutional action thereon, articles of agreement and convention made and concluded at the places and dates therein named by Joel Palmer, superintendent of Indian affairs, on the part of the United States, and the chiefs and headmen of the confederate tribes and bands of Indians residing along the coast west of the summit of the Coast Range of mountains and between the Columbia River on the north and the southern boundary of Oregon on the south. A letter from the Secretary of the Interior, including one from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, accompanies the treaty. FRANKLIN PIERCE. WASHINGTON, _February 14, 1857_. _To the House of Representatives_: In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 19th ultimo, requesting me "to furnish to the House all correspondence and documents, not incompatible with the public interest, relating to Indian affairs in the Department of the Pacific, those of the Interior as well as those of the War Department," I transmit the accompanying report and documents from the Secretary of War. FRANKLIN PIERCE. WASHINGTON, _February, 1857_. _To the House of Representatives of the United States_: I communicate herewith a letter of the Secretary of War, recommending an appropriation of $10,000 for the purpose of instituting a series of researches for the discovery of a more efficient mode of manufacturing niter. FRANKLIN PIERCE. WASHINGTON, _February 16, 1857_. _To the Senate of the United States_: