Since nominating the Hon. Caleb Gushing for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States information has reached me which induces me to withdraw him from nomination as the highest judicial officer of the Government, and I do therefore hereby withdraw said nomination.

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 19, 1874.

To the Senate of the United States: 

In reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 8th instant, requesting information “relative to any unauthorized occupation or invasion of or encroachment upon the Indian Territory, so called, by individuals or bodies of men, in violation of treaty stipulations,” I have the honor to submit herewith the reply of the Secretary of the Interior, to whom the resolution was referred.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, January 27, 1874.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to its ratification, a protocol relative to a claim on the Government of Chile in the case of the ship Good Return.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, February 6, 1874.

To the House of Representatives: 

I transmit to the House of Representatives, in answer to their resolution of the 16th ultimo, a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers.[77]

U.S.  GRANT.

[Footnote 77:  Correspondence relative to the refusal of the United States consul at Cadiz, Spain, to certify invoices of wine shipped from that port, etc.]

WASHINGTON, February 6, 1874.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I transmit herewith a copy of a communication, dated the 22d ultimo, received from the governor of the State of New York, in which it is announced that, in accordance with the invitation of Congress as expressed in the act approved July 2, 1864, that State now presents for acceptance a bronze statue of George Clinton, deceased, one of its distinguished citizens.

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, February 9, 1874.

To the House of Representatives: 

I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, to whom was referred the resolution of the House of Representatives of January 7, requesting “a statement of the extent and nature of the contracts, purchases, and expenditures for the Indian service made since July 1, 1873, setting forth which, if any, of them were made or entered into without conference with the Board of Indian Commissioners appointed by the President, and the extent and description of contracts and vouchers objected to by said board, stating to what extent payments have been made thereon against their remonstrance.”

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, February 10, 1874.