, with all its blighting consequences, may be avoided, but
without surrendering any right or obligation due to us; a reform in the
treatment of Indians and in the whole civil service of the country;
and finally, in securing a pure, untrammeled ballot, where every man
entitled to cast a vote may do so, just once at each election, without
fear of molestation or proscription on account of his political faith,
nativity, or color.

U.S. GRANT.

[Footnote 29: See pp. 86-89.]

[Footnote 30: See pp. 89-92.]

SPECIAL MESSAGES.

DECEMBER 6, 1870.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

In pursuance of the provisions of the second section of an act approved
June 20, 1864, entitled "An act making appropriations for the consular
and diplomatic expenses of the Government for the year ending June 30,
1865, and for other purposes," I inform Congress that Louis W. Viollier,
a consular clerk, was, on the 26th day of September last, removed from
office for the following causes, namely: For disobedience of orders and
continued absence from duty after orders to proceed to his post.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _December 6, 1870_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

I herewith transmit to Congress a report, dated the 5th instant, with
the accompanying papers,[31] received from the Secretary of State, in
compliance with the requirements of the eighteenth section of the act
entitled "An act to regulate the diplomatic and consular systems of the
United States," approved August 18, 1856.

U.S. GRANT.

[Footnote 31: Report of fees collected, etc., by consular officers of
the United States for 1868, and tariff of consular fees prescribed by
the President October 1, 1870.]

WASHINGTON, _December 6, 1870_.

_To the Senate of the United States:_

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to
ratification, a convention for the surrender of criminals between the
United States of America and the Republic of Guatemala, signed on the
11th day of October last, together with correspondence on the subject,
a list of which is given.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _December 6, 1870_.

_To the Senate of the United States:_

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to
ratification, a convention for the extradition of criminals fugitives
from justice between the United States of America and the Republic of
Nicaragua, signed at the city of Nicaragua on the 5th day of