State,
in relation to the necessity of modifying the present system of consular
jurisdiction of the United States in the countries of the East. I regard
this subject, to which I have adverted in my general message to
Congress, as one deserving the earnest attention of the National
Legislature.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

[A similar message was sent to the House of Representatives.]

WASHINGTON, _December 19, 1881_.

_To the House of Representatives:_

I transmit herewith to the House of Representatives, for the
consideration of Congress, a communication from the Secretary of State,
setting forth the expediency of organizing a class of supernumerary
secretaries of legation to meet the needs of our diplomatic service
abroad.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

WASHINGTON, _December 19, 1881_.

_To the Senate of the United States:_

I transmit herewith, in reply to the resolution of the Senate of the
19th of May last, a report from the Secretary of State, with an
accompanying paper.[3]

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

[Footnote 3: List of officers, clerks, etc., in the Department of State.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 21, 1881_.

_To the House of Representatives:_

I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of the Interior, with an accompanying paper, in which
he recommends a further appropriation for the payment of the expenses
of the Tenth Census; also an appropriation of $2,000 to recompense the
disbursing clerk of the Department of the Interior for his services in
disbursing the appropriations for the Tenth Census.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 21, 1881_.

_To the Senate of the United States:_

I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate of
the 6th instant, a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury and its
accompanying papers.[4]

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

[Footnote 4: Instructions to, and reports of certain examiners of
national banks.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 6, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

I transmit a communication[5] I received this day from the late
Postmaster-General, to which I invite your careful attention.

Though the period limited for the reception of bids under the existing
advertisement expires on the 7th instant, several weeks must necessarily
elapse before they can be classified and examined and the actual letting
take place.

If, therefore, Congress shall be of the