In conformity to the law of July 16, 1862, I most cordially recommend that Captain John Rodgers, United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks from Congress for the eminent skill and gallantry exhibited by him in the engagement with the rebel armed ironclad steamer _Fingal_, alias _Atlanta_, whilst in command of the United States ironclad steamer _Weehawken_, which led to her capture on the 17th June, 1863, and also for the zeal, bravery, and general good conduct shown by this officer on many occasions. This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the requirements of the ninth section of the aforesaid act, which is in the following words, viz: That any line officer of the Navy or Marine Corps may be advanced one grade if upon recommendation of the President by name he receives the thanks of Congress for highly distinguished conduct in conflict with the enemy or for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. WASHINGTON, D.C., _December 8, 1863_. _To the Senate of the United States_: Congress, on my recommendation, passed a resolution, approved 7th February, 1863, tendering its thanks to Commander D.D. Porter "for the bravery and skill displayed in the attack on the post of Arkansas on the 10th January, 1863," and in consideration of those services, together with his efficient labors and vigilance subsequently displayed in thwarting the efforts of the rebels to obstruct the Mississippi and its tributaries and the important part rendered by the squadron under his command, which led to the surrender of Vicksburg. I do therefore, in conformity to the seventh section of the act approved 16th July, 1862, nominate Commander D.D. Porter to be a rear-admiral in the Navy on the active list from the 4th July, 1863, to fill an existing vacancy. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. WASHINGTON, _December 10, 1863_. _To the Senate and House of Representatives_: I transmit herewith a report, dated the 9th instant, with the accompanying papers, received from the Secretary of State in compliance with the requirements of the sixteenth and eighteenth sections of the act entitled "An act to regulate the diplomatic and consular systems of the United States," approved August 18, 1856. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December, 1863_. _To the Senate of the United States_: I lay before the Senate, for its constitutional action thereon, a treaty concluded at Le Roy, Kans., on the 29th day of August, 1863, between William P. Dole, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and William G. Coffin, superintendent of Indian affairs of the southern superintendency, commissioners on the part of the United States, and the chiefs and headmen of the Great and Little Osage tribe of Indians of the State of Kansas. A communication from the Secretary of the Interior, dated the 12th instant, accompanies the treaty. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December, 1863_. _To the Senate of the United States_: