If this were a bill for the repeal of the “test oath” required of persons “elected or appointed to offices of honor or trust,” it would meet my approval.  The effect of the law, however, is to relieve from taking a prescribed oath all those persons whom it was intended to exclude from such offices and to require it from all others.  By this law the soldier who fought and bled for his country is to swear to his loyalty before assuming official functions, while the general who commanded hosts for the overthrow of his Government is admitted to place without it.  I can not affix my name to a law which discriminates against the upholder of his Government.

I believe, however, that it is not wise policy to keep from office by an oath those who are not disqualified by the Constitution, and who are the choice of legal voters; but while relieving them from an oath which they can not take, I recommend the release also of those to whom the oath has no application.

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 17, 1871.

To the Senate of the United States:

In answer to your resolution of the 19th of December last, requesting the President “to furnish the Senate with the entire cost of transportation of mails and freights of every description to the Pacific Coast, also to all intermediate points west of the Missouri River, from the annexation of California to July 1, 1864; and also the expenses of the War Department and Indian Bureau during the same period in guarding the overland route from the Missouri River to California against Indians and Mormons, and the cost of the Indian service on the same line, including in all cases freights and all other expenditures,” I transmit herewith reports received from the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of War, and the Postmaster-General.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, February 27, 1871.

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 Great Britain, concluded at Washington on the 23d instant, supplemental to the convention between the two countries concluded May 13, 1870, concerning the citizenship of citizens or subjects of either country emigrating to the other.

The conclusion of the supplemental convention now submitted was found to be expedient in view of the stipulation contained in Article II of the before-named convention of May 13, 1870, that the two Governments should agree upon the manner in which the renunciation within the periods specified, by naturalized citizens and subjects of either country, of their naturalization should be effected.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, March 3, 1871.

To the Senate of the United States:

I transmit to the Senate, in answer to their resolution of the 2d instant, a report of the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents.[42]