ive to the subject.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _May 22, 1872_.

_To the Senate of the United States:_

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration, an agreement between
the Great Chief of the island of Tutuila, one of the Samoan group, in
the South Pacific, and Commander R.W. Meade, commanding the United
States steamer _Narragansett_, bearing date the 17th of February last.
This instrument proposes to confer upon this Government the exclusive
privilege of establishing a naval station in the dominions of that chief
for the equivalent of protecting those dominions.

A copy of a letter of the 15th instant, and of its accompaniment,
addressed by the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State,
descriptive of Tutuila and of other islands of the group, and of a
letter in the nature of a protest from a person claiming to be consul
of the North German Confederation in that quarter, are also herewith
transmitted. No report has yet been received from Commander Meade on the
subject. Although he was without special instructions or authority to
enter into such agreement, the advantages of the concession which it
proposes to make are so great, in view of the advantageous position
of Tutuila, especially as a coaling station for steamers between San
Francisco and Australia, that I should not hesitate to recommend its
approval but for the protection on the part of the United States
which it seems to imply. With some modification of the obligation
of protection which the agreement imports, it is recommended to the
favorable consideration of the Senate.

U.S. GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 23, 1872_.

_To the Senate of the United States:_

I have the honor to transmit herewith, in answer to the resolution
of the Senate of March 12, requesting to be informed of "the amount
of money expended by the Government of the United States during the
last three years for telegraphing by ocean cables," reports from the
different Departments of the Government, to which the resolution was
referred.

U.S. GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 24, 1872_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

In compliance with section 2 of the act approved July 11, 1870, entitled
"An act making appropriations for the consular and diplomatic expenses
of the Government for the year ending June 30, 1871, and for other
purposes," I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of D.B.R.
Keim, agent to examine consular affairs.

U.S