In my opinion the District of Columbia should be regarded as the grounds of the national capital, in which the entire people are interested.  I do not allude to this to urge generous appropriations to the District, but to draw the attention of Congress, in framing a law for the government of the District, to the magnificent scale on which the city was planned by the founders of the Government; the manner in which, for ornamental purposes, the reservations, streets, and avenues were laid out, and the proportion of the property actually possessed by the General Government.  I think the proportion of the expenses of the government and improvements to be borne by the General Government, the cities of Washington and Georgetown, and the county should be carefully and equitably defined.

In accordance with section 3, act approved June 23, 1874, I appointed a board to make a survey of the mouth of the Mississippi River with a view to determine the best method of obtaining and maintaining a depth of water sufficient for the purposes of commerce, etc.; and in accordance with an act entitled “An act to provide for the appointment of a commission of engineers to investigate and report a permanent plan for the reclamation of the alluvial basin of the Mississippi River subject to inundation,” I appointed a commission of engineers.  Neither board has yet completed its labors.  When their reports are received, they will be forwarded to Congress without delay.

U.S.  GRANT.

[Footnote 84:  See pp. 273-276.]

[Footnote 85:  See pp. 277-281.]

[Footnote 86:  See pp. 276-277.]

SPECIAL MESSAGES.

WASHINGTON, December 8, 1874.

To the Senate of the United States: 

In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 3d of February, 1873, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, together with the papers[87] which accompanied it.

U.S.  GRANT.

[Footnote 87:  Dispatches in regard to the records and public documents of the Mexican Government relative to the lands embraced within the Territories of Arizona and New Mexico.]

WASHINGTON, December 8, 1874.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit to the Senate, for consideration with a view to ratification, a convention between the United States of America and the Ottoman Empire, relative to the extradition of criminals fugitives from justice, signed by their respective plenipotentiaries at Constantinople on the 11th of August last.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, December 8, 1874.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit to the Senate, for consideration with a view to ratification, a convention concluded between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic on the 20th of November last, for further extending the time for the duration of the joint commission respecting claims, originally fixed by the convention between the United States and Mexico signed on the 4th of July, 1868, and extended by those of the 19th of April, 1871, and 27th of November, 1872, between the same parties.