B.H.  BRISTOW, Secretary.

[A similar order was, by direction of the President, issued by the heads of the other Executive Departments.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 25, 1875.

In pursuance of the fourth section of the act entitled “An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, and for other purposes,” approved March 3, 1875, a board is hereby appointed, to consist of Lieutenant-Colonel T.T.S.  Laidley, Ordnance Department, United States Army, president of the board; Commander L.A.  Beardslee, United States Navy; Lieutenant-Colonel Q.A.  Gillmore, Engineer Department, United States Army; David Smith, Chief Engineer, United States Navy; W. Sooy Smith, civil engineer; A.S.  Holly, civil engineer; R.H.  Thurston, civil engineer, who will convene at the Watertown Arsenal, Mass., on April 15, 1875, or as soon thereafter as practicable, for the purpose of determining by actual tests the strength and value of all kinds of iron, steel, and other metals which may be submitted to them or by them procured, and to prepare tables which will exhibit the strength and value of said materials for constructive and mechanical purposes, and to provide for the building of a suitable machine for establishing such tests, the machine to be set up and maintained at the Watertown Arsenal.

The funds appropriated for the purposes of these tests will be disbursed under the Ordnance Department of the Army, and the board will receive instructions from and make its report to the Chief of Ordnance.

Mr. R.H.  Thurston, civil engineer, is designated as secretary of the board, at an annual compensation of $1,200.

Actual traveling expenses, as provided by law, will be allowed the members of the board.

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, May 24, 1875.

SIR:[96] The President directs me to say that the several Departments of the Government will be closed on Saturday, the 29th 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 96:  Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments, etc,]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Washington, D.C., July 3, 1875.

To Collectors of Customs: 

The importation of breech-loading rifles, and fixed ammunition suitable therefor, into the Territory of Alaska, and the shipment of such rifles or ammunition to any port or place in the Territory of Alaska, are hereby forbidden, and collectors of customs are instructed to refuse clearance of any vessel having on board any such arms or ammunition destined for any port or place in said Territory.