A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents
by
James D. Richardson
Part 2 out of 9
I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to
ratification, a treaty of peace, friendship, and commerce between the
United States of America and the Kingdom of Madagascar, signed on the
13th day of May, 1881, together with certain correspondence relating
thereto.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _December 19, 1881_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit herewith to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State,
in response to its resolution of the 13th of October last, calling for
the transmission to the Senate of papers on file in the Department of
State relating to the seizure of one Vicenzo Rebello, an Italian, in the
city of New Orleans, in June, 1881, by one James Mooney, under a warrant
of arrest issued by John A. Osborn, United States commissioner in and
for the city of New York.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _December 19, 1881_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit herewith to the Senate a report of the Secretary of State,
in relation to the necessity of modifying the present system of consular
jurisdiction of the United States in the countries of the East. I regard
this subject, to which I have adverted in my general message to
Congress, as one deserving the earnest attention of the National
Legislature.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[A similar message was sent to the House of Representatives.]
WASHINGTON, _December 19, 1881_.
_To the House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith to the House of Representatives, for the
consideration of Congress, a communication from the Secretary of State,
setting forth the expediency of organizing a class of supernumerary
secretaries of legation to meet the needs of our diplomatic service
abroad.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _December 19, 1881_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit herewith, in reply to the resolution of the Senate of the
19th of May last, a report from the Secretary of State, with an
accompanying paper.[3]
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[Footnote 3: List of officers, clerks, etc., in the Department of State.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 21, 1881_.
_To the House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of the Interior, with an accompanying paper, in which
he recommends a further appropriation for the payment of the expenses
of the Tenth Census; also an appropriation of $2,000 to recompense the
disbursing clerk of the Department of the Interior for his services in
disbursing the appropriations for the Tenth Census.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 21, 1881_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate of
the 6th instant, a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury and its
accompanying papers.[4]
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[Footnote 4: Instructions to, and reports of certain examiners of
national banks.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 6, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit a communication[5] I received this day from the late
Postmaster-General, to which I invite your careful attention.
Though the period limited for the reception of bids under the existing
advertisement expires on the 7th instant, several weeks must necessarily
elapse before they can be classified and examined and the actual letting
take place.
If, therefore, Congress shall be of the opinion that a change in the law
is needed, it may, I presume, be made immediately applicable.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[Footnote 5: Relating to fraudulent bonds accompanying certain bids and
contracts for carrying United States mail.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 9, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with accompanying papers, in reference to the bill of the Choctaw
Council approved November 10, 1881, granting a right of way through the
Choctaw Nation to the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway Company, a
bill (S. No. 60) for the ratification of which is now understood to be
pending before your honorable body.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 11, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of a bill and accompanying papers, in reference to an
agreement by the Shoshone and Bannock Indians with the United States
for the disposal of certain of their lands in the Fort Hall Indian
Reservation, in Idaho, for the use of the Utah and Northern Railway.
The matter is commended to the careful consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of a bill to appropriate money to meet a deficiency in the
Indian service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882.
A copy of report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated 13th
instant, in regard to the bill is also inclosed.
The subject is commended to the attention of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of a bill and accompanying papers, amendatory of the act of
March 3, 1880, for the sale of the Otoe and Missouria Indian
Reservation, in the States of Nebraska and Kansas.
The subject is presented to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
_Washington, January 18, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior,
forwarding copy of a letter addressed to him by the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, inclosing draft of a bill to create the office of
medical inspector for the United States Indian service.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of bill and accompanying papers, providing for the
improvement of the condition of Indians occupying reservations, and for
other purposes.
The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
and accompanying letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
recommending a renewal of the appropriation of $10,000 heretofore made
for defraying the expenses of the Board of Indian Commissioners.
The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of a bill and accompanying papers, in reference to the
settlement of the estate of deceased Kickapoo Indians in the State of
Kansas, and for other purposes.
The matter is commended to the attention of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with a draft of a bill and accompanying papers, to accept and ratify
an agreement with the Crow Indians for the sale of a portion of their
reservation in the Territory of Montana, required for the Northern
Pacific Railroad, and to make the necessary appropriation for carrying
the same into effect.
The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 19, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, with accompanying papers, recommending an
appropriation for the purchase of a site and the erection of a fireproof
building to contain the records, library, and museum of the
Surgeon-General's Office.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
_Washington, January 19, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of War, inclosing a copy of one from the Chief Signal
Officer of the Army, dated the 11th instant, setting forth the necessity
for additional room for the Signal Office and recommending that Congress
provide that of the amount estimated ($350,000) for "observation and
report of storms, 1883," the sum of $10,000 may be expended for the hire
of a safe and suitable building in Washington City for the office of the
Chief Signal Officer.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
_January 19, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated the 14th instant, and accompanying
letter from the Chief Signal Officer of the Army, recommending the
passage of a joint resolution, in accordance with the inclosed draft,
authorizing the printing and binding of 10,000 additional copies of the
latter's annual report for the year 1881.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _January 23, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to
ratification, a treaty of commerce and navigation between the United
States of America and His Majesty the King of Roumania, signed on the
11th day of April last.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _January 24, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to
ratification, a treaty of commerce between the United States and the
Prince of Serbia, signed on the 14th of October last.
* * * * *
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _January 24, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to
ratification, a convention defining the rights, immunities, and
privileges of consular officers, between the United States and the
Prince of Serbia, signed on the 14th of October last.
* * * * *
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 24, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of a bill to increase the salary of the Commissioner of the
General Land Office and to create the offices of Assistant Commissioner
of the General Land Office and inspectors of surveyors-general and
district land officers.
The matter is commended to the attention of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 24, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of a bill for the per capita distribution of the sum of
$2,000 to the band of Eastern Shawnee Indians at Quapaw Agency, Ind.
T., with accompanying papers noted in said communication.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 24, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of a bill to increase the salary of the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs and to create the office of Assistant Commissioner of
Indian Affairs.
The matter is commended to the attention of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 24, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of a bill and accompanying papers, in reference to the
proposition of the Creek Nation of Indians for the cession of certain of
their lands in the Indian Territory occupied by the Seminole Indians.
The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 24, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of a bill authorizing the sale of certain pine timber cut
upon the Menomonee Reservation in Wisconsin, together with the
accompanying papers noted in said communication.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated the 23d instant, and accompanying
copies of letters from the Adjutant-General, Inspector-General, and
Quartermaster-General of the Army, recommending the amendment of section
3 of the act approved May 15, 1872, entitled "An act to establish the pay
of the enlisted men of the Army," so as to require a settlement of the
clothing accounts of enlisted men at every bimonthly muster for pay.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, with plan and estimate of the cost of
constructing five dining-rooms and kitchens at Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of a bill for the per capita distribution of the sum of
$5,000 to the band of Western Miami Indians at the Quapaw Agency, Ind.
T., with accompanying papers noted in said communication.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, reporting a list of reservations which are no
longer needed for military purposes and setting forth the necessity for
such legislation as will provide for their disposal.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of an amendment to be inserted in the annual Indian
appropriation bill now pending, providing for the disposal of certain
bonds and funds held by the Treasurer of the United States as custodian
in the name of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, together with
accompanying papers noted in said communication.
The matter is presented for the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War and its accompanying papers, setting forth
the necessity for the erection of a new embankment wall on the creek
bordering the grounds of the Frankford Arsenal, Pa., and recommending
that an appropriation be made for that purpose.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of the Interior, concerning an appropriation for the
improvement of the Hot Springs Reservation, in Garland County, Ark.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for your consideration, a communication from
the Secretary of the Interior, dated the 18th instant, touching the
necessity for additional room for the clerical force of the Department
of the Interior.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, the annual report
of the Government directors of the Union Pacific Railway to the
Secretary of the Interior for the year 1881.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with draft of amendment to be inserted in the Indian appropriation bill,
to carry into effect the provisions of the fifth section of the act of
March 3, 1873, providing for the consolidation of funds belonging to the
Miami Indians of Kansas.
The matter is presented for the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 26, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, with
accompanying papers, furnished in response to a resolution of the House
of Representatives of the 24th instant, calling for correspondence
touching the efforts of this Government to bring about peace between
Chile and Peru and Bolivia, and touching claims against or contracts
respecting either of the belligerent Governments.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 26, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying
papers, furnished in response to the resolution of the Senate of the
13th ultimo, calling for correspondence touching affairs in or between
Peru and Chile.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 27, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit herewith, in further response to the Senate resolution of the
13th December, 1881, a report of the Secretary of State, embodying the
purport of a recent telegram from the special envoy of the United States
setting forth the conditions of peace presented by Chile.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[A similar message was sent to the House of Representatives, in answer
to a resolution of that body of January 24, 1882.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 28, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
In further answer to the resolution of the Senate of December 12, 1881,
I herewith transmit the remainder of the correspondence touching the
desired modification of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. The dispatch of the
Secretary of State of November 29, 1881, was not sent to the Senate with
the former dispatches, because at that time no advice had been received
that its contents had been communicated to the British Government.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 1, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
inclosing a letter from the Commissioner of Pensions, giving, in
compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives passed
on the 26th of January, 1882, estimates of the amounts which will be
required annually to pay pensions for the next twenty-five years, based
on the presumed conditions stated in the resolution.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, with
accompanying papers, relative to lawlessness which prevails in parts of
Arizona, and in connection therewith call attention to that portion of
my message of the 6th of December last in which suggestions were made
as to legislation which seems to be required to enable the General
Government to assist the local authorities of the Territory in restoring
and maintaining order.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with a draft of a bill authorizing the disposal of dead and damaged
timber upon Indian reservations under the direction of the Interior
Department, and correspondence noted by the Secretary.
The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 2, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior,
inclosing copy of a letter addressed to him by the Commissioner of the
General Land Office, asking, for reasons stated therein, that Congress
may be requested to make a special appropriation for a temporary
increase of the clerical force of the General Land Office.
A draft of a bill for that purpose is herewith inclosed, and the subject
is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 2, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States_:
I transmit herewith, in further response to the resolution of the Senate
of the 18th of March, 1881, a report of the Secretary of State, with its
accompaniment, touching the capitulations of the Ottoman Empire.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated the 27th of January, 1882, and
accompanying estimates for new buildings for the general recruiting
service at Davids Island, New York Harbor, and Columbus Barracks, Ohio.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with the draft of a bill to authorize the settlement of certain accounts
for advertising the sale of Kansas Indian lands, with accompanying
papers referred to in said communication.
The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with a draft of a bill for the payment of certain settlers in the State
of Nevada for improvements on lands in Duck Valley, in said State, taken
for the use and occupancy of the Shoshone Indians.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of the Interior, dated January 31, 1882, upon the
subject of additional legislation for the expenses of the Tenth Census,
and inclose draft of an act supplemental to the act approved January 28,
1882.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 3, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
of the Secretary of the Interior of the 27th ultimo, with accompanying
papers, on the subject of the confirmation of the homestead entries of
certain lands in Marquette district, Michigan, made by Hugh Foster and
John Waishkey, jr.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 3, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with a draft of a bill to prevent timber depredations on Indian
reservations, and correspondence noted by the Secretary.
The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 3, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States_:
I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State of this date,
with accompanying papers, furnished in obedience to a resolution of the
Senate of the 12th ultimo, calling for certain correspondence in the
case of claim of Antonio Pelletier against the Government of Hayti.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[A similar message was sent to the House of Representatives.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 8, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication of 1st instant from the Secretary of
the Interior, covering information respecting the lands granted to the
State of Oregon for the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon
Road Company.
The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 8, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, inclosing copies of papers relating to the
site of Fort Bliss, at El Paso, Tex., with special reference to certain
errors contained in the deeds conveying the land to the United States,
and recommending the passage by Congress of an act, a draft of which is
also inclosed, to rectify and establish the title of the United States
to the site in question.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 8, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of War of the 6th instant, together with plans and
estimates for barracks and quarters in the Military Division of the
Pacific and at Fort Monroe, Va., for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1883; also the correspondence accompanying the same.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 15, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of War, dated the 11th instant, covering plans and
estimates for completing the new barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kans.,
and for the erection of additional quarters for officers thereat, in
connection with the School of Cavalry and Infantry; also the
correspondence accompanying the same.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 15, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, the report of the
Board of Indian Commissioners for the year 1881, accompanied by a letter
from the Secretary of the Interior, dated the 9th instant, suggesting
legislation regarding reports from said board. The report is sent with
the message to the House of Representatives.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 15, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy,
dated the 8th instant, and accompanying copies of letters from
Rear-Admiral John Rodgers, Superintendent of the Naval Observatory,
Professor J. E. Nourse, United States Navy, and Hon. John Eaton,
Commissioner of Education, suggesting the publication of a second
edition of the Second Arctic Expedition made by Captain C. F. Hall.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 15, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a letter from the Commissioner
of Education, in which the recommendation is made that an appropriation
of $50,000 be made for the purpose of education in Alaska.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 15, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith the response of the Secretary of State to your
resolution of the 30th ultimo, calling for certain information relative
to the amount of fees collected by consuls of the United States from
American vessels.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 17, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of
the 6th instant, requesting a further compliance with its call for
correspondence respecting the war on the Pacific, I transmit herewith
a report of the Secretary of State and its accompanying papers.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 17, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States_:
In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 12th of December, 1881,
respecting the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, I transmit herewith a further
report by the Secretary of State, accompanied by copies of papers on the
subject.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 17, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States_:
In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 31st of January last,
calling for the correspondence touching the relations of the United
States with Guatemala and Mexico and their relations with each other,
I transmit a report of the Secretary of State, which is accompanied by
a copy of the papers called for by the resolution.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I submit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of the Interior, and accompanying papers, in which he
recommends that authority be given for the payment of certain damages
which unexpectedly occurred to the property of private persons on the
Government reservation at Hot Springs, Ark., in consequence of work
performed under the direction of the superintendent in the performance
of his duty.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a copy of a communication
from the Commissioner of Pensions, in which he recommends that more
adequate provision be made for the payment of the expenses of obtaining
evidence of the extent of the disability of those pensioners of the
United States and applicants for pension who reside in foreign
countries.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of the Navy, with accompanying papers, asking, for
reasons stated by him, that Congress may be requested to make a special
appropriation for the payment of the claim of Isaac A. Sylvester against
the Navy Department.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication of the Secretary of the Interior,
dated the 16th instant, relative to the necessity for a deficiency
appropriation for the payment of salaries of clerks and laborers in
the Patent Office during the present fiscal year.
The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with
a copy of a letter from the Superintendent of the United States Naval
Observatory, accompanied by a draft of a bill, with estimates for an
observation of the transit of Venus on the 6th of December, 1882.
The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior,
inclosing a memorial and papers from the Seneca Nation of New York
Indians embodying a resolution and remonstrance against the passage of
Senate bill No. 19, "to provide for the allotment of lands in severalty
to Indians on the various reservations," etc., together with a report
thereon of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, recommending an amendment
to the seventh section thereof excluding the lands of said Indians.
The accompanying papers are transmitted with the message to the Senate.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I submit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from the
Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a petition of Mr. P.W. Norris for
compensation for services rendered and expenses incurred by him as
superintendent of the Yellowstone National Park from the 18th of April,
1877, to the 1st of July, 1878.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit herewith a communication of the Secretary of the Interior of
the 23d instant, with accompanying papers, furnished in obedience to a
resolution of the Senate of the 30th ultimo, calling for certain
information in relation to the Malheur Indian Reservation, in the State
of Oregon.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives:_
In reply to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 24th
ultimo, I transmit herewith copies of letters from the Secretary of the
Treasury and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission, dated the
3d and 13th instant, respectively, from which it will be seen that the
appropriation of $15,000 made at the last session of Congress for the
promotion of efficiency in the different branches of the civil service
is still unexpended, and that in order to execute the provisions of
section 1753 of the Revised Statutes an annual appropriation of $25,000
would be necessary.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _March 1, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate of May
19, 1881, a communication, with accompanying papers, from the Secretary
of State, respecting the collection by consular officers of certain
official fees in connection with the authentication of invoices, and
the compensation of such officers.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 1, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a communication, dated the 28th of February,
1882, from the Secretary of the Interior, with accompanying papers, in
relation to the request of the Cherokee Indians of the Indian Territory
for payment for lands belonging to them in said Territory ceded to the
United States by the sixteenth article of their treaty of July 19, 1866,
for the settlement of friendly Indians.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 2, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated the 18th ultimo, inclosing plans and
estimates for the construction of the post of Fort Thornburg, in Utah
Territory, and recommending an appropriation of $84,000 for that purpose
and that the same be made available for immediate use.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 3, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, transmitting plans and estimates for the
large military post proposed to be constructed at Fort Selden, N. Mex.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _March 3, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit to the Senate, for its action thereon, the accession of the
United States to the convention concluded at Geneva on the 22d August,
1864, between various powers, for the amelioration of the wounded of
armies in the field, and to the additional articles thereto, signed at
Geneva on the 20th October, 1868.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 3, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
dated the 2d instant, with accompanying papers, submitting an estimate
of appropriations for the payment of expenses of removal of certain
Eastern Cherokee Indians to the Indian Territory.
The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 7, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with a copy
of a letter from the Chief of the Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting and
a draft of a bill recommending an increase of 500 enlisted men for the
naval service.
The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 8, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
dated the 6th instant, with accompanying papers[6] from the Commissioner
of Indian Affairs and draft of a bill to amend section 2135, Revised
Statutes.
The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[Footnote 6: Relating to the selling and trading of annuity goods by
Lower Brule Indians.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 10, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of the Navy, with accompanying papers, asking, for
reasons stated by him, that Congress may be requested to make a special
appropriation for paving a portion of the roadway of Hanover street and
curbing and paving the sidewalk of that street on the side next the
Government property at the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 10, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior
of the 9th instant, submitting, with accompanying papers, an estimate
of appropriation for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Ute
Commission, appointed under section 2 of the act of June 15, 1880.
The matter is commended to the early action of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 10, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War of the 6th instant, and accompanying papers,
recommending the passage of an act making certain debts incurred by
soldiers a lien against their pay.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 10, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I herewith transmit, in response to a resolution of the House of
Representatives of the 7th ultimo, a report of the Secretary of State,
touching the arrest and imprisonment in Mexico of Thomas Shields and
two other American citizens, to which that resolution relates.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 10, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, in answer to the resolution of the House of
Representatives of the 30th of January last, a report from the Secretary
of State, with accompanying paper.[7]
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[Footnote 7: List of promotions, removals, and appointments in the
consular service since March 4, 1877.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 13, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the president of the National
Board of Health, calling attention to the necessity for additional
legislation to prevent the introduction of contagious and infectious
diseases into the United States from foreign countries.
The subject is commended to the careful consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 11, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I inclose herewith an amended estimate for an increase in the clerical
force of the office of the Commissioner of Pensions, which I recommend
to your consideration.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[The same message was sent to the Senate.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 16, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States_:
I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and an
accompanying paper, in further response to the resolution of the Senate
of the 13th of December last, calling for correspondence touching
affairs in or between Peru and Chile.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 11, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with accompanying papers, covering the action of the Osage Indians
declining to accede to the terms of the act of March 3, 1881, reducing
the price of their lands in Kansas.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 18, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
In response to the resolution of the House of Representatives adopted
March 16, 1882, in which the President is requested, if not incompatible
with the public interests, to furnish to the House all the facts before
him at the time he authorized the sending or employment of troops or
military forces of the United States in the State of Nebraska during the
present month, together with his reasons therefor, I have the honor to
state that the employment of military forces of the United States as
to which it is understood that information is desired by the House
of Representatives was authorized on the 10th instant, and that
all the facts before me at that time are set forth in telegraphic
communications, dated the 9th and 10th instant, from the governor of the
State of Nebraska and Brigadier-General Crook, commanding the Department
of the Platte, of which copies are herewith submitted.
For the further information of the House of Representatives,
I transmit copies of telegraphic correspondence had on the 9th,
10th, and 11th instant between the Secretary of War and the governor
of Nebraska and the Secretary of War and the Lieutenant-General of
the Army, of which the instructions issued by my direction for the
employment of the military forces upon the application of the governor
of Nebraska are a part.
From these papers it will be seen that the authority to employ troops
was given upon the application of the governor of Nebraska in order to
protect the State against domestic violence. The instructions were given
in compliance with the requirements of that part of section 4 of Article
IV of the Constitution which provides that the United States shall,
on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the
legislature can not be convened), protect each of the States against
domestic violence.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 20, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States_:
In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 9th instant,
instructing the Secretary of State to ascertain and report to the Senate
the cause for the alleged imprisonment by the British Government of
Daniel McSweeney, a citizen of the United States, I transmit herewith a
report on the subject from the Secretary of State, with its accompanying
papers.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 21, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated the 18th instant, inclosing plans and
estimates for a brick building for the post of Fort Leavenworth, Kans.,
to contain quarters for two companies of troops, to replace the one
destroyed by fire on the 1st February last, and recommending an
appropriation of $18,745.77, in accordance with the estimates.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 21, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of the Interior, dated the 6th instant, with
accompanying paper, submitting draft of a bill "to authorize payment for
Government transportation on certain railroads."
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 21, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy,
calling attention to the necessity of appropriating the sum of $12,000
under the head of "Contingent equipment and recruiting," for immediate
use, to defray accruing expenses during the remainder of the current
fiscal year.
The matter is commended to the favorable consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _March 22, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
In compliance with section 4119 of the Revised Statutes (act of June
22, 1860), I transmit to Congress a copy of two additional regulations
issued in accordance with the fifth section of that act by the envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States
accredited to the Government of China, and assented to by the several
United States consular officers in that country, for the service of
summonses on absent defendants in causes before the consular courts of
the United States of America in China. These regulations, which are
accompanied by a copy of the minister's dispatch on the subject, are
commended to the consideration of Congress, with a view to their
approval.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 23, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated March 23, 1882, with accompanying
reports and estimates, recommending an increase in the clerical
force in his office and in the offices of the Adjutant-General and
Surgeon-General of the Army, in order that prompt replies may be made
to the calls for information by the Commissioner of Pensions in pension
cases under a proposed plan to accomplish the settlement of all such
claims within a limited number of years; also an increased appropriation
for contingent expenses for each of the offices mentioned.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 23, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a copy of a law[8] passed at the recent session
of the legislature of the Territory of New Mexico, for the action of
Congress under section 1850 of the Revised Statutes.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[Footnote 8: Providing a time for the commencement of the sessions of
the legislative assembly of the Territory of New Mexico.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 27, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
dated the 24th instant, and the accompanying letter of the Commissioner
of Patents, submitting a supplemental estimate for an appropriation of
$52,500 for the employment of twenty-five assistant principal examiners
of patents, at an annual salary of $2,100 each.
The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 28, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with
accompanying papers, on the subject of purchasing from the American Wood
Preserving Company the machinery which was erected by that company at
the navy-yard, Boston, under contract with the Navy Department, for the
purpose of fully testing the company's process of preserving timber for
use in the Navy.
The attention of Congress is invited to the subject.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 28, 1882_.
_To the House of, Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the House of
Representatives of yesterday, the 27th instant, a report of the
Secretary of State, with accompanying papers, touching the negotiations
for the restoration of peace in South America.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _March 28, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States_:
I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to
ratification, a convention for the protection of trade-marks, concluded
between the United States and His Majesty the King of Roumania on the
7th of October, 1881.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 29, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
dated 24th instant, in relation to the urgent necessity for action on
the part of Congress for the prevention of trespasses upon Indian lands,
with copy of report from Commissioner of Indian Affairs upon the subject
and draft of bill for the object indicated.
The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 29, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated March 25, 1882, with accompanying
correspondence, plans, and estimates, in which he recommends an
appropriation of $40,000 for the completion of the new post at Fort
Lewis, Colo.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 30, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the
Interior, dated the 28th instant, and the accompanying letter of the
Superintendent of the Government Hospital for the Insane, submitting an
estimate for a deficiency appropriation of $20,792.51 for the support of
that institution for the remaining portion of the present fiscal year.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 30, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior,
inclosing draft of a bill to amend section 2056 of the Revised Statutes
of the United States, relating to the term of office of Indian
inspectors and Indian agents.
The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 30, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
dated the 29th of March, and the accompanying letter of the Commissioner
of the General Land Office, submitting an estimate for the additions of
$34,200 and $20,000, respectively, to the appropriations for salaries,
fees, and commissions of registers and receivers, and for contingent
expenses, land offices, for the next fiscal year.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 30, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying
documents, in response to a resolution of the House of Representatives
of February 13, 1882, touching the protection of American citizens in
Persia and the establishment of diplomatic relations with that country.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 3, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter
from the Secretary of the Interior, in which he sets forth the
necessity which will exist for an appropriation for the payment of the
commissioners to be appointed under the recent act of Congress entitled
"An act to amend section 5352 of the Revised Statutes of the United
States in reference to bigamy, and for other purposes," and also for the
payment of the election officers to be appointed by said commissioners.
In this connection I submit to Congress that, in view of the important
and responsible duties devolved upon the commissioners under this act,
their compensation at $3,000 per annum, as provided therein, should be
increased to a sum not less than $5,000 per annum.
Such increased compensation, in my judgment, would secure a higher order
of ability in the persons to be selected and tend more effectually to
carry out the objects of the act.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 3, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I forward herewith, in compliance with a resolution of the House of
Representatives of the 6th of February ultimo, calling for information
in reference to the arrest and imprisonment in Mexico of certain
American citizens, a further report from the Secretary of State and its
accompanying paper, concerning the cases of Thomas Shields and Charles
Weber, to which that resolution refers.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 4, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
In partial response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of
the 31st of January last, on the subject of American citizens imprisoned
in Ireland, I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 4, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of War, dated March 31, 1882, and accompanying report
from the Chief of Engineers, with its inclosures, relative to the
construction of a bridge across the Potomac River at or near Georgetown,
in the District of Columbia, under the provisions of the act approved
February 23, 1881, in which he requests that an additional appropriation
of $80,000 be made to give practical effect to the act referred to in
accordance with the recommendations of the Chief of Engineers.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 5, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
setting forth the necessity for an increased number of law clerks in
the office of the Assistant Attorney-General in the Department of the
Interior, because of the growing amount of business in that office.
The matter is commended to the attention and favorable action of
Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 5, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior
of this date, with draft of bill for the relief of Pierre Garrieaux and
correspondence in relation thereto.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 5, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, in reply to the resolution of the House of
Representatives of the 31st of January last, a report from the Secretary
of State, with accompanying papers.[9]
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, _April 5, 1882_.
_To the Senate_:
I transmit herewith, in reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 29th
of March last, the report of the Secretary of State, with accompanying
papers.[9]
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[Footnote 9: Correspondence, etc., relative to American citizens
imprisoned in Ireland.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 6, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of War, dated the 4th instant, inclosing plans and
estimates for the completion of the post of Fort McKinney, Wyoming
Territory, and recommending an appropriation of $50,000 for the purpose
in accordance with the estimates.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 6, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated the 4th instant, inclosing estimates
for deficiency in the appropriation for the transportation of the Army
and its supplies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882, and
recommending an appropriation in accordance therewith.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 11, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of War, dated the 6th instant, in which he recommends
a reappropriation of the unexpended balances of two appropriations of
$50,000 each, made in 1880 and 1881, "for continuing the improvement
of the water-power pool" at the Rock Island Arsenal, and that the
additional sum of $30,000 be granted for the same purpose; also the
additional sum of $70,000 "for deepening the canal and for opening
six waterways in connection with the water power."
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 12, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with the accompanying report from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
dated 29th ultimo, recommending an increase of item for "transportation
of Indian supplies for the fiscal year 1882" (deficiency), as designated
in Senate Executive Document 57, Forty-seventh Congress, first session.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 12, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
inclosing draft of bill prepared in the Office of Indian Affairs,
submitted with Commissioner's report of 27th ultimo, confirming to the
Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians the lands in the Indian Territory set
apart for their occupancy by an Executive order dated August 10, 1869,
which lands are in lieu of those set apart for their use and occupancy
by the second article of the treaty with said Indians concluded October
28, 1867.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 12, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of War, dated the 6th instant, inclosing one from the
acting chief clerk of the War Department on the subject, recommending an
additional appropriation of $2,000 for contingent expenses of the War
Department for 1882; also that appropriation provided for the purpose
for the next fiscal year be increased $10,000.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
_Washington, April 14, 1882_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, the inclosed
letter and accompanying statement from the Secretary of the Navy,
in relation to the necessity of building a new boiler shop at the
navy-yard, New York, and repairing the caisson gate of the dry dock
at that station, in which it is requested that an appropriation of
$147,243.04 be made for these objects.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 14, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, with commendation to the attention of Congress, a
report of the Secretary of State and its accompanying papers, concerning
the proposed establishment of an international bureau of exchanges.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 14, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior,
with correspondence, relative to right of way of the Republican Valley
Railroad across the Otoe and Missouria Reservation in the State of
Nebraska, and draft of an amendment to S. No. 930, "A bill to amend an
act entitled 'An act to provide for the sale of the remainder of the
reservation of the confederated Otoe and Missouria tribes of Indians
in the States of Nebraska and Kansas, and for other purposes,' approved
March 3, 1881."
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 17, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a letter, dated the 29th ultimo, from the Secretary
of War, inclosing copy of a communication from the Mississippi River
Commission, in which the commission recommends that an appropriation may
be made of $1,010,000 for "closing existing gaps in levees," in addition
to the like sum for which an estimate has already been submitted.
The subject is one of such importance that I deem it proper to recommend
early and favorable consideration of the recommendations of the
commission. Having possession of and jurisdiction over the river,
Congress, with a view of improving its navigation and protecting the
people of the valley from floods, has for years caused surveys of the
river to be made for the purpose of acquiring knowledge of the laws that
control it and of its phenomena. By act approved June 28, 1879, the
Mississippi River Commission was created, composed of able engineers.
Section 4 of the act provides that--
It shall be the duty of said commission to take into consideration and
mature such plan or plans and estimates as will correct, permanently
locate, and deepen the channel and protect the banks of the Mississippi
River; improve and give safety and ease to the navigation thereof;
prevent destructive floods; promote and facilitate commerce, trade, and
the postal service.
The constitutionality of a law making appropriations in aid of these
objects can not be questioned. While the report of the commission
submitted and the plans proposed for the river's improvement seem
justified as well on scientific principles as by experience and the
approval of the people most interested, I desire to leave it to the
judgment of Congress to decide upon the best plan for the permanent and
complete improvement of the navigation of the river and for the
protection of the valley.
The immense losses and widespread suffering of the people dwelling near
the river induce me to urge upon Congress the propriety of not only
making an appropriation to close the gaps in the levees occasioned by
the recent floods, as recommended by the commission, but that Congress
should inaugurate measures for the permanent improvement of the
navigation of the river and security of the valley. It may be that such
a system of improvement would as it progressed require the appropriation
of twenty or thirty millions of dollars. Even such an expenditure,
extending, as it must, over several years, can not be regarded as
extravagant in view of the immense interest involved. The safe and
convenient navigation of the Mississippi is a matter of concern to
all sections of the country, but to the Northwest, with its immense
harvests, needing cheap transportation to the sea, and to the
inhabitants of the river valley, whose lives and property depend upon
the proper construction of the safeguards which protect them from the
floods, it is of vital importance that a well-matured and comprehensive
plan for improvement should be put into operation with as little delay
as possible. The cotton product of the region subject to the devastating
floods is a source of wealth to the nation and of great importance to
keeping the balances of trade in our favor.
It may not be inopportune to mention that this Government has imposed
and collected some $70,000,000 by a tax on cotton, in the production of
which the population of the Lower Mississippi is largely engaged, and it
does not seem inequitable to return a portion of this tax to those who
contributed it, particularly as such an action will also result in an
important gain to the country at large, and especially so to the great
and rich States of the Northwest and the Mississippi Valley.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 17, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication, dated the 14th instant, from the
Secretary of the Interior, with draft of bill, and accompanying papers,
for the establishment of an Indian training school on the site of the
old Fort Ripley Military Reservation, in the State of Minnesota.
The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 17, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior
of the 12th instant, with accompanying papers, in relation to coal lands
upon the San Carlos Reservation, in the Territory of Arizona.
The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 17, 1882_.
_To the Senate_:
I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State and its
accompanying papers, concerning the international regulations for
preventing collisions at sea, and I earnestly commend this important
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