erpretation of the act of
Congress regulating the tenure of office, and especially with regard to
appointments by the President during the recess of Congress."

ANDREW JOHNSON.

[The following messages were sent to the Fortieth Congress, first session.]

WASHINGTON, _July 5, 1867_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to
ratification, a convention for commercial reciprocity between the
United States and His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, which
convention was signed by the plenipotentiaries of the parties in the
city of San Francisco on the 21st day of May last.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, _July 5, 1867_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit to Congress a copy of a convention between the United States
and the Republic of Venezuela for the adjustment of claims of citizens
of the United States on the Government of that Republic. The
ratifications of this convention were exchanged at Caracas on the 10th
of April last. As its first article stipulates that the commissioners
shall meet in that city within four months from that date, the
expediency of passing the usual act for the purpose of carrying the
convention into effect will, of course, engage the attention of
Congress.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, _July 6, 1867_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit to Congress a copy of a treaty between the United States and
His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, the ratifications of which
were exchanged in this city on the 20th day of June last.

This instrument provides for a cession of territory to the United States
in consideration of the payment of $7,200,000 in gold. The attention of
Congress is invited to the subject of an appropriation for this payment,
and also to that of proper legislation for the occupation and government
of the territory as a part of the dominion of the United States.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, _July 6, 1867_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to
ratification, a convention between the United States, Great Britain,
France, the Netherlands, and Japan, concluded at Yedo on the 25th of
June, 1866.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, _July 8, 1867_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a report from the Attorney-General, additional to
the reports submitte