GEO. M. ROBESON,

Secretary of the Navy.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., May 27, 1874.

SIR:[82] 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 to participate in the decoration of the graves of the soldiers who fell during the rebellion.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

O.E.  BABCOCK, Secretary.

[Footnote 82:  Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments, etc.]

WASHINGTON, May 29, 1874.

The Civil Service Commission, at its sessions at Washington, having recommended certain rules[83] to be prescribed by the President for the government of the Light-House Service of the United States, these rules as herewith published are approved, and their provisions will be enforced by the proper officers.

U.S.  GRANT.

[Footnote 83:  Omitted.]

AUGUST 31, 1874.

It appearing to me from their trial at Washington and at the city of New York that the further extension of the civil-service rules will promote the efficiency of the public service, it is ordered that such rules be, and they are hereby, extended to the several Federal offices at the city and in the customs district of Boston, and that the proper measures be taken for carrying this order into effect.

U.S.  GRANT.

SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 7, 1874.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

Since the convening of Congress one year ago the nation has undergone a prostration in business and industries such as has not been witnessed with us for many years.  Speculation as to the causes for this prostration might be indulged in without profit, because as many theories would be advanced as there would be independent writers—­those who expressed their own views without borrowing—­upon the subject.  Without indulging in theories as to the cause of this prostration, therefore, I will call your attention only to the fact, and to some plain questions as to which it would seem there should be no disagreement.

During this prostration two essential elements of prosperity have been most abundant—­labor and capital.  Both have been largely unemployed.  Where security has been undoubted, capital has been attainable at very moderate rates.  Where labor has been wanted, it has been found in abundance, at cheap rates compared with what—­of necessaries and comforts of life—­could be purchased with the wages demanded.  Two great elements of prosperity, therefore, have not been denied us.  A third might be added:  Our soil and climate are unequaled, within the limits of any contiguous territory under one nationality, for its variety of products to feed and clothe a people and in the amount