dstone was cited by the Land Department to show cause why his
claim should not be declared at an end, and his filing formally canceled
upon the public records, but he made no response or defense, and the
filing was accordingly canceled.

Third. The Commissioner of the General Land Office reports that an
investigation, made under the supervision of his office, shows that Mr.
Redstone had actually abandoned the land covered by his preemption claim
before the reserve was established.

Fourth. The Commissioner of the General Land Office reports that an
examination, made under the supervision of his office, shows that the
improvements placed upon this land during the life of this preemption
claim and thereafter abandoned were less than $200 in value, while the
amount appropriated in this bill is $1,800.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 27, 1899_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

In accordance with a provision in the act making appropriations for
the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1899,
I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of Agriculture "upon the
forestry investigations and work of the Department of Agriculture."

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 9, 1899_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate of
the 2nd instant, requesting information "whether any franchises or
concessions of any character are being or have been granted by any
municipality in Cuba or Puerto Rico since the military occupation
thereof by the United States," etc., a report from the Secretary of
War and accompanying papers.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 11, 1899_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith the response of the Secretary of State to the
resolution of the House of Representatives of February 4, 1899, calling
for information in his possession concerning certain alleged outrages
committed upon the person of Bishop Earl Cranston and other American
citizens in the city of Peking, China.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 18, 1899_.

_To the Senate_:

I transmit herewith the response of the Secretary of Agriculture to the
resolution of the Senate of February 8, 1899, calling for information
in his possession regarding the practical usefulness of reservoirs to
agriculture in the irrigated region o