y and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, may determine.

"Mr. Hobson's transfer from the construction corps to the line is fully
warranted, he having received the necessary technical training as a
graduate of the naval academy, where he stood number one in his class, and
such action is recommended partly in deference to what is understood to be
his own desire, although, he being a prisoner now in the hands of the
enemy, no direct communication on the subject has been received from him,
and partly for the reason that the abilities displayed by him at Santiago
are of such a character as to indicate especial fitness for the duties of
the line.

"WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
"_Executive Mansion, June 27._"

The second message was as follows:

"_To the Congress of the United States_:--On the eleventh day of May, 1898,
there occurred a conflict in the bay of Cardenas, Cuba, in which the naval
torpedo-boat _Winslow_ was disabled, her commander wounded, and one of her
officers and a part of her crew killed by the enemy's fire.

"In the face of a most galling fire from the enemy's guns the revenue
cutter _Hudson_, commanded by First Lieut. Frank H. Newcomb, U. S. Revenue
Cutter Service, rescued the disabled _Winslow_ and her wounded crew. The
commander of the _Hudson_ kept his vessel in the very hottest fire of the
action, although in constant danger of going ashore on account of the
shallow water, until he finally got a line made fast to the _Winslow_, and
towed that vessel out of range of the enemy's guns, a deed of special
gallantry.

"I recommend that, in recognition of the signal act of heroism of First
Lieut. Frank H. Newcomb, U. S. Revenue Cutter Service, above set forth,
the thanks of Congress be extended to him and to his officers and men of
the _Hudson_, and that a gold medal of honour be presented to Lieutenant
Newcomb, a silver medal of honour to each of his officers, and a bronze
medal of honour to each member of his crew who served with him at
Cardenas.

(Signed) "WILLIAM MCKINLEY."

The President also sent the following special nomination to Congress:

"EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, June 27, 1898.

"_To the Senate of the United States_:--I nominate Naval Cadet Joseph W.
Powell to be advanced two numbers under the provisions of section 1,50