I submit the draft of a bill which has been prepared, and which it is believed will effect the object desired by the committee, and request the consideration thereof by Congress.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, February 9, 1871.

To the Senate:

The British minister accredited to this Government recently, in compliance with instructions from his Government, submitted a proposal for the appointment of a “joint high commission,” to be composed of members to be named by each Government, to hold its session at Washington, and to treat and discuss the mode of settling the different questions which have arisen out of the fisheries, as well as those which affect the relations of the United States toward the British possessions in North America.

I did not deem it expedient to agree to the proposal unless the consideration of the questions growing out of the acts committed by the vessels which have given rise to the claims known as the “Alabama claims” were to be within the subject of discussion and settlement by the commission.  The British Government having assented to this, the commission is expected shortly to meet.  I therefore nominate as such commissioners, jointly and separately, on the part of the United States: 

Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State.

Robert C. Schenck, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to
Great Britain.

Samuel Nelson, an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United
States.

Ebenezer R. Hoar, of Massachusetts.

George H. Williams, of Oregon.

I communicate herewith the correspondence which has passed on this subject between the Secretary of State and the British minister.

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 10, 1871.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

I submit herewith, for the information of Congress, the second annual report of the Board of Indian Commissioners to the Secretary of the Interior.

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 13, 1871.

To the House of Representatives:

I transmit herewith, in answer to the resolution of the House of the 6th instant, copies of the correspondence between the governor of the State of California and the President of the United States in the month of October, 1868, relative to the use of the military forces of the National Government in preserving the peace at the approaching State election.

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 15, 1871.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

I have this day transmitted to the Senate the announcement that Senate bill No. 218, “An act prescribing an oath of office to be taken by persons who participated in the late rebellion, but who are not disqualified from holding office by the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States,” has become a law in the manner prescribed by the Constitution, without the signature of the President.