ed by section 6 of the "act for the
government of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes,"
approved June 20, 1874, and abolished by the joint resolution approved
March 14, 1876, and to call your attention to the statements therein
presented.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _May 1, 1876_.

_To the Senate_:

I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, a report of
the president of the Centennial Commission upon the ceremonies to be
observed at the opening of the exhibition on the 10th instant. It will
be observed that an invitation is therein extended to Senators and
Representatives to be present on that occasion.

U.S. GRANT.

[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives.]

WASHINGTON, _May 1, 1876_.

_To the Senate_:

I transmit herewith, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to
its ratification by that body, a treaty between the United States and
Mexico, concluded on the 29th ultimo.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _May 1, 1876_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith, in answer to the resolution of the House of
Representatives of 15th March last, a report[103] from the
Secretary of State and accompanying papers.

U.S. GRANT.

[Footnote 103: Explanatory of the object, intent, and character of the
power conferred upon A. B. Steinberger, special agent to the Samoan or
Navigators Islands, and transmitting correspondence relative to the
object, operation, and result of his agency.]

WASHINGTON, _May 4, 1876_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I have given very attentive consideration to a resolution of the House
of Representatives passed on the 3d of April, requesting the President
of the United States to inform the House whether any executive offices
acts, or duties, and, if any, what, have within a specified period been
performed at a distance from the seat of Government established by law,
etc.

I have never hesitated and shall not hesitate to communicate to
Congress, and to either branch thereof, all the information which the
Constitution makes it the duty of the President to give, or which my
judgment may suggest to me or a request from either House may indicate
to me will be useful in the discharge of the appropriate duties confided
to them. I fail, however, to find in the Constitution of the United
States the authority given to the House of Representatives (one branch
of the Congress, in which is vested the legislative po