Where surveys are made with the view of sectionizing the public lands, preparatory to opening them for settlement or entry, there is no question but such surveys and all work connected therewith should be under the direct control of the Interior Department or the Commissioner of the General Land Office, subject to the supervision of the Secretary of the Interior.  But where the object is to complete the map of the country; to determine the geographical, astronomical, geodetic, topographic, hydrographic, meteorological, geological, and mineralogical features of the country—­in other words, to collect full information of the unexplored or but partially known portions of the country—­it seems to me a matter of no importance as to which Department of the Government should have control of the work.  The conditions which should control this subject are, in my judgment, first, which Department is prepared to do the work best; second, which can do it the most expeditiously and economically.

As the country to be explored is occupied in great part by uncivilized Indians, all parties engaged in the work at hand must be supplied with escorts from the Army, thus placing a large portion of the expense upon the War Department; and as the Engineer Corps of the Army is composed of scientific gentlemen, educated and practiced for just the kind of work to be done, and as they are under pay whether employed in this work or not, it would seem that the second condition named would be more fully complied with by employing them to do the work.  There is but little doubt that they will accomplish it as promptly and as well, and much more economically.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, May 19, 1874.

To the House of Representatives: 

I transmit herewith, in answer to the resolution of the House of
Representatives of the 9th instant, a report[79] from the Secretary of
State, with accompanying papers.

U.S.  GRANT.

[Footnote 79:  Relating to the involuntary deportation to the United States of foreign convicts, paupers, idiots, insane persons, etc., and transmitting correspondence relative thereto.]

WASHINGTON, May 25, 1874.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 15th instant, I have the honor to transmit herewith “all papers and correspondence relating to the troubles in the State of Arkansas not heretofore communicated to either House of Congress.”

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, May 25, 1874.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I have the honor to transmit, in response to the resolution of the Senate of the 18th instant, requesting “the answers in full received by the Civil Service Commission in reply to their circular addressed to the various heads of Departments and bureaus requesting a report as to the operation and effect of the civil-service rules in the several Departments and offices,” a copy of a letter received from the chairman of the Civil Service Commission, to whom the resolution was referred.