the cause of this deficiency. I have taken proper steps to
comply with this request of the House, but the present need of supplies
is not disputed. A prolonged delay in furnishing provisions to these
Indians will cause great distress and be likely to provoke raids on
white settlements, and possibly lead to general outbreak and
hostilities.

I therefore deem it proper to invite your attention to the importance of
early and favorable action upon the estimates heretofore and herewith
submitted.

These estimates and the views of the Secretary in regard to this
emergency meet with my full concurrence, and I recommend that the
appropriations asked for be made at the earliest day practicable.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _March 3, 1876_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the
21st ultimo, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State,
and accompanying papers,[101] together with a report from the Secretary
of the Treasury.

U.S. GRANT.

[Footnote 101: Correspondence relative to the mode of transferring to the
United States the Alabama indemnity of $15,500,000, and correspondence
and papers showing the payment of the indemnity, the form of receipt
given therefor, and the disposition of the indemnity.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 6, 1876_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 7th of January last,
requesting a "statement of the number of military arrests made in the
Territory of Alaska during the past five years, together with the date
of each, the charge on which made in each case, the names of the persons
arrested, and the period and character of the imprisonment of each in
that Territory before trial or surrender to the civil authorities for
trial," I have the honor to submit herewith the report of the Acting
Secretary of War.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _March 10, 1876_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate, for consideration with a view to ratification,
a metric convention between the United States and certain foreign
governments, signed at Paris on the 20th of May, 1875, by Mr. E.B.
Washburne, the minister of the United States at that capital, acting on
behalf of this Government, and by the representatives acting on behalf
of the foreign powers therein mentioned.

A copy of certain papers on the subject, mentioned in the subjoined
list, is al