To the Senate of the United States: 

In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 27th of February last, concerning the action had by the Executive with respect to the investigation of certain cases in which awards were made by the late United States and Mexican Commission, I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, to whom the matter was referred.

R.B.  HAYES.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., April 16, 1880.

To the House of Representatives: 

The board for testing iron, steel, and other metals, appointed under the authority of “An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, and for other purposes,” contracted with Mr. A.H.  Emery, of New York, for a testing machine, to be paid out of the appropriation made for the purpose.  That machine has been completed and accepted, and is now in position at the Watertown Arsenal, Mass.  It is spoken of by the members composing the late board as the most perfect and reliable machine in the world, embodying new mechanical principles and combinations not heretofore used in any other constructions.

In designing, perfecting, and making this machine the contractor has expended large sums of money over and above the contract price, besides giving years of labor, for which he has received no compensation.  He now appeals to Congress for relief, and the papers herewith exhibit a case that calls for Congressional action.  It is respectfully submitted to the House of Representatives, recommending speedy and favorable consideration.

R.B.  HAYES.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, April 22, 1880.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I have the honor to inform Congress that Mr. J. Randolph Coolidge, Dr. Algernon Coolidge, Mr. Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, and Mrs. Ellen Dwight, of Massachusetts, the heirs of the late Joseph Coolidge, jr., desire to present to the United States the desk on which the Declaration of Independence was written.  It bears the following inscription in the handwriting of Thomas Jefferson: 

Thomas Jefferson gives this writing desk to Joseph Coolidge, jr., as a memorial of his affection.  It was made from a drawing of his own, by Ben.  Randall, cabinetmaker of Philadelphia, with whom he first lodged on his arrival in that city in May, 1776, and is the identical one on which he wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Politics, as well as religion, has its superstitions.  These, gaining strength with time, may one day give imaginary value to this relic for its association with the birth of the great charter of our independence.

  Monticello, November 18, 1825.

The desk was placed in my possession by Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, and is herewith transmitted to Congress with the letter of Mr. Winthrop expressing the wish of the donors “to offer it to the United States, so that it may henceforth have a place in the Department of State in connection with the immortal instrument which was written upon it in 1776.”