that the
appropriation of $15,000 made at the last session of Congress for the
promotion of efficiency in the different branches of the civil service
is still unexpended, and that in order to execute the provisions of
section 1753 of the Revised Statutes an annual appropriation of $25,000
would be necessary.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

WASHINGTON, _March 1, 1882_.

_To the Senate of the United States:_

I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate of May
19, 1881, a communication, with accompanying papers, from the Secretary
of State, respecting the collection by consular officers of certain
official fees in connection with the authentication of invoices, and
the compensation of such officers.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 1, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

I transmit herewith a communication, dated the 28th of February,
1882, from the Secretary of the Interior, with accompanying papers, in
relation to the request of the Cherokee Indians of the Indian Territory
for payment for lands belonging to them in said Territory ceded to the
United States by the sixteenth article of their treaty of July 19, 1866,
for the settlement of friendly Indians.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 2, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated the 18th ultimo, inclosing plans and
estimates for the construction of the post of Fort Thornburg, in Utah
Territory, and recommending an appropriation of $84,000 for that purpose
and that the same be made available for immediate use.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 3, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, transmitting plans and estimates for the
large military post proposed to be constructed at Fort Selden, N. Mex.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

WASHINGTON, _March 3, 1882_.

_To the Senate of the United States:_

I transmit to the Senate, for its action thereon, the accession of the
United States to the convention concluded at Geneva on the 22d August,
1864, between various powers, for the amelioration of the wounded of
armies in the field, and to the additional articles thereto, signed at
Geneva on the 20th October, 1868.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE