We might take a conveyance of the lands at Tarpaulin cove, of an estate, to continue _so long as a light-house should be kept upon it, and used as a light-house_. It would not be a fee simple, but what the lawyers call a _base fee_. But it would be a bad example, and we should have all proprietors hereafter insisting on the same thing. It is better they should trust to the liberality of the United States, in giving them a pre-emption if the light-house be discontinued. It will be better to add to the absolute conveyance, such restriction of right as we consent to, to wit, that there shall be no tavern, &c., than attempt to enumerate the rights we may exercise,--_e. g._, that we may keep cows, cultivate, &c. I approve entirely the idea of conveying to the city of New Orleans the rights of the United States in the Batture, lately claimed by that city, and to all other Riparian possessors on the Mississippi all alluvions, and all atterisements, or shoals, left uncovered at low water, saving to navigators the right of landing, unloading, &c. But providing that the claim to the Batture given to the city, should be decided by special commissioners to whom the evidence and arguments in writing shall be sent, without any necessity of their going there. Should not a bill be immediately proposed for amending the embargo law? In the meantime the revenue cutters and armed vessels must use force. Cockle's bonds are certainly good set-offs against his Louisiana bills, and ought so to be used to save his sureties. I am glad to find we have 4,000,000 acres west of Chafalaya. How much better to have every 160 acres settled by an able-bodied militia man, than by purchasers with their hordes of negroes, to add weakness instead of strength. Affectionate salutations. TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WASHINGTON, December 26, 1807. DEAR SIR,--I return you the letters you were so kind as to communicate to me, on the appointment of Dr. Waterhouse to the care of the marine hospital. When he was decided on (November 26th), no other candidate had been named to me as desiring the place. The respectable recommendations I had received, and his station as professor of medicine in a college of high reputation, sufficiently warranted his abilities as a physician, and to these was added a fact well known, that, to his zeal, the United States were indebted for the introduction of a great blessing,--vaccination, which has extirpated one of the most loathsome and mortal diseases which has afflicted humanity some years, probably, sooner than would otherwise have taken place. It was a pleasure, therefore, as well as a duty, in dispensing the public favors, to make this small return for the great service rendered our country by Dr. Waterhouse.