of steam railroads through and
across the public streets and roads of the District. The propriety of
such legislation as will properly guard the use of these railroads and
better secure the convenience and safety of citizens is manifest.

The consciousness that I have presented but an imperfect statement
of the condition of our country and its wants occasions no fear that
anything omitted is not known and appreciated by the Congress, upon whom
rests the responsibility of intelligent legislation in behalf of a great
nation and a confiding people.

As public servants we shall do our duty well if we constantly guard the
rectitude of our intentions, maintain unsullied our love of country, and
with unselfish purpose strive for the public good.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

[Footnote 19: See pp. 603-607.]

[Footnote 20: See pp. 620-627.]

[Footnote 21: See pp. 628-530.]

[Footnote 22: See p. 612.]

SPECIAL MESSAGES.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 21, 1888_.

_To the Congress_:

On the 2d of April last I transmitted to the House of Representatives,
in response to its resolution of the 8th of the preceding March, a
report of the Secretary of State, with accompanying correspondence,
relative to affairs in Samoa.[23] On the same day I answered a resolution
of the Senate of the 21st of the preceding December to the same effect,
but adopted in executive session, and, in order to avoid duplication of
the numerous documents involved, referred to the correspondence which
accompanied my public response to the resolution of the House of
Representatives, and which was duly printed and published by order of
that body (House Executive Document No. 238, Fiftieth Congress, first
session).

In my annual message of the 3d instant I announced my intention in due
course to lay before Congress further correspondence on Samoan affairs.
Accordingly, I now transmit a report of the Secretary of State, with
accompanying correspondence, on that subject.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

[Footnote 23: See p. 612.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 2, 1889_.

_To the Senate_:

On or about the 25th day of September, 1888, I received a copy of a
resolution adopted on that day by the Senate in executive session,
requesting the transmission to that body by the President of all
communications and correspondence (not heretofore sent to the Senate)
under his control on the subject of the proposed convention with China,
transmitted by him to the Senate by