I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated the 18th instant, inclosing plans and
estimates for a brick building for the post of Fort Leavenworth, Kans.,
to contain quarters for two companies of troops, to replace the one
destroyed by fire on the 1st February last, and recommending an
appropriation of $18,745.77, in accordance with the estimates.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 21, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of the Interior, dated the 6th instant, with
accompanying paper, submitting draft of a bill "to authorize payment for
Government transportation on certain railroads."

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 21, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy,
calling attention to the necessity of appropriating the sum of $12,000
under the head of "Contingent equipment and recruiting," for immediate
use, to defray accruing expenses during the remainder of the current
fiscal year.

The matter is commended to the favorable consideration of Congress.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

WASHINGTON, _March 22, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

In compliance with section 4119 of the Revised Statutes (act of June
22, 1860), I transmit to Congress a copy of two additional regulations
issued in accordance with the fifth section of that act by the envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States
accredited to the Government of China, and assented to by the several
United States consular officers in that country, for the service of
summonses on absent defendants in causes before the consular courts of
the United States of America in China. These regulations, which are
accompanied by a copy of the minister's dispatch on the subject, are
commended to the consideration of Congress, with a view to their
approval.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 23, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated March 23, 1882, with accompanying
reports and estimates, recommending an increase in the clerical
force in his office and in the offices of the Adjutant-General and
Surgeon-Genera