Rule 10.—­So many of the persons employed by the President under the ninth section of the act of March 3, 1871, as are referred to in the opinion of the Attorney-General of the date of August 31, 1871, under the name of the Civil Service Commission, and are still in such employment, together with the successors of those who have resigned, and their successors, shall hereafter be regarded as composing and shall be designated as “The Civil Service Commission;” and the use of the designation “Advisory Board,” as referring to such persons, will be hereafter discontinued.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 102.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE,

Washington, October 10, 1873.

The President of the United States commands it to be made known that all soldiers who have deserted their colors, and who shall, on or before the 1st day of January, 1874, surrender themselves at any military station, shall receive a full pardon, only forfeiting the pay and allowances due them at the time of desertion, and shall be restored to duty without trial or punishment on condition that they faithfully serve through the term of their enlistment.

By order of the Secretary of War: 

E.D.  TOWNSEND,

Adjutant-General.

FIFTH ANNUAL MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 1, 1873.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

The year that has passed since the submission of my last message to Congress has, especially during the latter part of it, been an eventful one to the country.  In the midst of great national prosperity a financial crisis has occurred that has brought low fortunes of gigantic proportions; political partisanship has almost ceased to exist, especially in the agricultural regions; and, finally, the capture upon the high seas of a vessel bearing our flag has for a time threatened the most serious consequences, and has agitated the public mind from one end of the country to the other.  But this, happily, now is in the course of satisfactory adjustment, honorable to both nations concerned.

The relations of the United States, however, with most of the other powers continue to be friendly and cordial.  With France, Germany, Russia, Italy, and the minor European powers; with Brazil and most of the South American Republics, and with Japan, nothing has occurred during the year to demand special notice.  The correspondence between the Department of State and various diplomatic representatives in or from those countries is transmitted herewith.