I have presented to the President the subject stated in your Letter of the 3d. instant. He does not view the constitution as admitting the distinction between customary and extraordinary presents from Foreign Governments to persons in the employment of the United States; and consequently decides, that the consent of Congress is prerequisite to the acceptance of either. This construction of the Constitution has been sanctioned by the proceedings in the case of Mr. Pinkney.1 In the case of Mr. J. Q. Adams also, the customary present, offered to him by the King of Prussia, was left in the hands of the Prussian Minister; and the consent of Congress never having been asked, the compliment is understood to have been declined.2 I remain very respectfully &c.