CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 19, 1883.

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 an extract copy of a report of the Adjutant-General respecting the military reservation of Fort Cameron, Utah Territory, and recommending that authority be granted during the present session of Congress for the disposal of said reservation, it being no longer needed for military purposes.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 19, 1883.

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 confederated tribes of Flathead, Kootenay, and Upper Pend d’Oreille 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 the Congress.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, January 23, 1883.

To the Senate of the United States:

In response to the resolution of the Senate of the United States dated January 5, 1883, requesting “that the Secretary of State be directed to transmit to the Senate copies of any letters on file in his Department from the consular service upon the subject of the shipment and discharge of seamen or payment of extra wages to seamen,” I have to transmit a report of the Secretary of State on the subject.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 25, 1883.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State, concerning the character and condition of the library of the Department of State.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 26, 1883.

To the House of Representatives:

It is hereby announced to the House of Congress in which it originated that the joint resolution (H.  Res. 190) to refer certain claims to the Court of Claims has been permitted to become a law under the constitutional provision.  Its apparent purpose is to allow certain bankers to sue in the Court of Claims for the amount of internal-revenue tax collected from them without lawful authority, upon showing as matter of excuse for not having brought their suits within the time limited by law that they had entered into an agreement with the district attorney which was in substance that they should be relieved of that necessity.  I can not concur in the policy of setting aside the bar of the statute in those cases on such ground, but I have not deemed it necessary to return the joint resolution with my objections for reconsideration.