WASHINGTON, _July 5, 1854_. _To the Senate of the United States_: In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 1st instant, I herewith return the articles of convention made and concluded with the Winnebago Indians on the 6th of August, 1853, together with the Senate resolution of the 9th ultimo, advising and consenting to the ratification of the same with amendments. FRANKLIN PIERCE. WASHINGTON, _July 12, 1854_. _To the House of Representatives_: I transmit herewith the inclosed communication from the Secretary of the Navy, respecting the observations of Lieutenant James M. Gillis, of the United States Navy, and the accompanying documents.[30] FRANKLIN PIERCE. [Footnote 30: Report of the United States naval astronomical expedition to the Southern Hemisphere.] WASHINGTON, _July 12, 1854_. _To the Senate of the United States_: I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a treaty between the United States and the Empire of Japan, signed at Kanagawa on the 31st day of March last by the plenipotentiaries of the two Governments. The Chinese and Dutch translations of the instrument and the chart and sketch to which it refers are also herewith communicated. FRANKLIN PIERCE. WASHINGTON, _July 17, 1854_. _To the Senate of the United States_: I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a convention between the United States and Her Britannic Majesty for the extension of the period limited for the duration of the mixed commission under convention between the United States and Great Britain of the 8th of February, 1853. FRANKLIN PIERCE. WASHINGTON, _July 19, 1854_. _To the House of Representatives_: I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers,[31] in answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 6th of February last. FRANKLIN PIERCE. [Footnote 31: Correspondence of Humphrey Marshall, commissioner to China.] WASHINGTON, _July 22, 1854_. _To the Senate of the United States_: I have this day given my signature to the "Act making further appropriations for the improvement of the Cape Fear River, in North Carolina." The occasion seems to render it proper for me to deviate from the ordinary course of announcing the approval of bills by an oral statement only, and, for the purpose of preventing any misapprehension which might otherwise arise from the phraseology of this act, to communicate in writing that my approval is given to it on the ground that the obstructions which the proposed appropriation is intended to remove are the result of acts of the General Government. FRANKLIN PIERCE. WASHINGTON, _July 24, 1854_. _To the Senate of the United States_: I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a convention concerning the rights of neutrals, concluded in this city on the 22d instant between the United States and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias.