n
the Patent Office during the present fiscal year.

The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with
a copy of a letter from the Superintendent of the United States Naval
Observatory, accompanied by a draft of a bill, with estimates for an
observation of the transit of Venus on the 6th of December, 1882.

The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior,
inclosing a memorial and papers from the Seneca Nation of New York
Indians embodying a resolution and remonstrance against the passage of
Senate bill No. 19, "to provide for the allotment of lands in severalty
to Indians on the various reservations," etc., together with a report
thereon of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, recommending an amendment
to the seventh section thereof excluding the lands of said Indians.

The accompanying papers are transmitted with the message to the Senate.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

I submit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from the
Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a petition of Mr. P.W. Norris for
compensation for services rendered and expenses incurred by him as
superintendent of the Yellowstone National Park from the 18th of April,
1877, to the 1st of July, 1878.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.

_To the Senate of the United States:_

I transmit herewith a communication of the Secretary of the Interior of
the 23d instant, with accompanying papers, furnished in obedience to a
resolution of the Senate of the 30th ultimo, calling for certain
information in relation to the Malheur Indian Reservation, in the State
of Oregon.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.

_To the House of Representatives:_

In reply to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 24th
ultimo, I transmit herewith copies of letters from the Secretary of the
Treasury and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission, dated the
3d and 13th instant, respectively, from which it will be seen