[Seal.]

Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Washington, the 23d day of September, A.D. 1881, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and sixth.

Chester A. Arthur.

By the President: 
  James G. Blaine,
    Secretary of State.

SPECIAL MESSAGES.

Washington, October 26, 1881.

To the Senate of the United States:

I transmit herewith to the Senate a communication from the Secretary of State, submitting the text, in the English and French languages, of the proceedings of the International Sanitary Conference, provided for by the joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, held at Washington in the early part of 1881.

Chester A. Arthur.

To the Senate.

I transmit herewith the report of the Secretary of State in answer to the resolution of the Senate of October 14, with accompanying document.[1]

Chester A. Arthur.

October 24, 1881.

[Footnote 1:  letter of instruction to United States ministers in Europe relative to protecting the rights and interests of the United States in the projected interoceanic canal at Panama.]

Washington, October 26, 1881.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a convention between the United States and His Majesty the King of Roumania, defining the rights, immunities, and privileges of consular officers, signed on the 17th day of June, 1881.

Chester A. Arthur.

PROCLAMATION.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A proclamation.

It has long been the pious custom of our people, with the closing of the year, to look back upon the blessings brought to them in the changing course of the seasons and to return solemn thanks to the all-giving source from whom they flow.  And although at this period, when the falling leaf admonishes us that the time of our sacred duty is at hand, our nation still lies in the shadow of a great bereavement, and the mourning which has filled our hearts still finds its sorrowful expression toward the God before whom we but lately bowed in grief and supplication, yet the countless benefits which have showered upon us during the past twelvemonth call for our fervent gratitude and make it fitting that we should rejoice with thankfulness that the Lord in His infinite mercy has most signally favored our country and our people.  Peace without and prosperity within have been vouchsafed to us, no pestilence has visited our shores, the abundant privileges