As the time draws nigh when I am to retire from the public service, I can not refrain from expressing to the members of the National Legislature with whom I have been brought into personal and official intercourse my sincere appreciation of their unfailing courtesy and of their harmonious cooperation with the Executive in so many measures calculated to promote the best interests of the nation.

And to my fellow citizens generally I acknowledge a deep sense of obligation for the support which they have accorded me in my administration of the executive department of this Government.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

[Footnote 20:  See pp. 224-225.]

[Footnote 21:  See p. 204.]

[Footnote 22:  See pp. 209-210.]

[Footnote 23:  See pp. 205-206.]

[Footnote 24:  See p. 225.]

SPECIAL MESSAGES.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, December 3, 1884.

To the Senate of the United States:

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a convention for regulating the right of succession to and acquisition of property, etc., concluded between the United States and Belgium on the 4th ultimo.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, December 3, 1884.

To the Senate of the United States:

I herewith transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to its ratification, a convention between the United States of America and the United States of Mexico, touching the boundary line between the two countries where it follows the bed of the Rio Grande and the Rio Gila, concluded November 12, 1884, and add that the convention is in accordance with an opinion of the Hon. Caleb Cushing, Attorney-General, dated November 11, 1856. (See Opinions of Attorneys-General, Vol.  XIII, p. 175, “Arcifinious boundaries.”)

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, December 4, 1884.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State, submitting the text, in the English and French languages, of the proceedings of the International Meridian Conference, provided for by the act of Congress approved August 3, 1882, held at Washington during the month of October, 1884.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, December 9, 1884.

To the Senate of the United States:

I herewith transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to its ratification, a supplementary convention to limit the duration of the convention respecting commercial reciprocity between the United States of America and the Hawaiian Kingdom, concluded January 30, 1875.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, December 9, 1884.