U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., March 8, 1870.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

Herewith I have the honor to transmit a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, relative to the obligation of Congress to make the necessary appropriations to carry out the Indian treaties made by what is known as the Peace Commission of 1867.

The history of those treaties and the consequences of noncompliance with them by the Government are so clearly set forth in this statement that I deem it better to communicate it in full than to ask the necessary appropriation in a shorter statement of the reasons for it.  I earnestly desire that if an Indian war becomes inevitable the Government of the United States at least should not be responsible for it.  Pains will be taken, and force used if necessary, to prevent the departure of the expeditions referred to by the Secretary of the Interior.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, March 10, 1870.

To the Senate of the United States:

In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 4th instant, in relation to the “Transcontinental, Memphis, El Paso and Pacific Railroad Company,” I transmit reports from the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Interior, with accompanying papers.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, March 10, 1870.

To the Senate of the United States:

I transmit to the Senate, in answer to their resolution of the 28th ultimo, a report[90] from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents.

U.S.  GRANT.

[Footnote 16:  Relating to legislation necessary to insure the administration of justice and the protection of American interests in China and Japan.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., March 14, 1870.

To the Senate of the United States:

In reply to your resolution of the 14th of February, requesting to be informed whether I desire that any of the Indian treaties now pending before you be considered confidentially, I have to inform you that there are none of them which I object to having discussed in open session.

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., March 14, 1870.

To the Senate of the United States:

I would respectfully call your attention to a treaty now before you for the acquisition of the Republic of St. Domingo, entered into between the agents of the two Governments on the 29th of November, 1869, and by its terms to be finally acted upon by the people of St. Domingo and the Senate of the United States within four months from the date of signing the treaty.  The time for action expires on the 29th instant, a fact to which I desire expressly to call your attention.  I would also direct your notice to the fact that the Government of St. Domingo has no agent in the United States who is authorized to extend the time for further deliberation upon its merits.