16.  Nothing in these rules and regulations shall prevent the reappointment at discretion of the incumbents of any office the term of which is fixed by law, and when such reappointment is made no vacancy within the meaning of the rules shall be deemed to have occurred.

17.  Appointments to all positions in the civil service not included in the subjoined classification, nor otherwise specially provided for by the rules and regulations, may, until otherwise ordered, be excepted from the operation of the rules.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., May 27, 1872.

SIR:[68] The President directs me to say that the several Departments of the Government will be closed on the 30th instant, in order to enable the employees of the Government to participate, in connection with the Grand Army of the Republic, in the decoration of the graves of the soldiers who fell during the rebellion.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

HORACE PORTER, Secretary.

[Footnote 68:  Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments, etc.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 11, 1872.

The undersigned is charged by the President with the painful duty of announcing to the people of the United States the death of an illustrious citizen.

William Henry Seward, distinguished for faithful and eminent service in varied public trusts during a long series of years, died at Auburn, in the State of New York, yesterday, October 10.  Charged with the administration of the Department of State at a most critical period in the history of the nation, Mr. Seward brought to the duties of that office exalted patriotism, unwearied industry, and consummate ability.  A grateful nation will cherish his name, his fame, and his memory.

The several Executive Departments will cause appropriate honors to be rendered to the memory of the deceased statesman at home and abroad.

HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.

FOURTH ANNUAL MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 2, 1872.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

In transmitting to you this my fourth annual message it is with thankfulness to the Giver of All Good that as a nation we have been blessed for the past year with peace at home, peace abroad, and a general prosperity vouchsafed to but few peoples.