s approved March 3, 1873, entitled
"An act to authorize inquiries into the causes of steam-boiler
explosions," I directed the Secretaries of the Treasury and Navy
Departments to create a commission to conduct the experiments and
collect the information contemplated by the act. Such a commission was
created, and I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the result
of their labors to the present time.

U.S. GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 13, 1874_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

Since nominating the Hon. Caleb Gushing for Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of the United States information has reached me which induces me
to withdraw him from nomination as the highest judicial officer of the
Government, and I do therefore hereby withdraw said nomination.

U.S. GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 19, 1874_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 8th instant, requesting
information "relative to any unauthorized occupation or invasion of or
encroachment upon the Indian Territory, so called, by individuals or
bodies of men, in violation of treaty stipulations," I have the honor to
submit herewith the reply of the Secretary of the Interior, to whom the
resolution was referred.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _January 27, 1874_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to its
ratification, a protocol relative to a claim on the Government of Chile
in the case of the ship _Good Return_.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _February 6, 1874_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives, in answer to their
resolution of the 16th ultimo, a report from the Secretary of State,
with accompanying papers.[77]

U.S. GRANT.

[Footnote 77: Correspondence relative to the refusal of the United States
consul at Cadiz, Spain, to certify invoices of wine shipped from that
port, etc.]

WASHINGTON, _February 6, 1874_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a copy of a communication, dated the 22d ultimo,
received from the governor of the State of New York, in which it is
announced that, in accordance with the invitation of Congress as
expressed in the act approved July 2, 1864, that State now presents for
acceptance a bronze statue of George Clinton, deceased, one of its
distinguished citizens.

U.S. GRANT.

EXECUTIVE