ydrographic, meteorological, geological, and mineralogical
features of the country--in other words, to collect full information of
the unexplored or but partially known portions of the country--it seems
to me a matter of no importance as to which Department of the Government
should have control of the work. The conditions which should control
this subject are, in my judgment, first, which Department is prepared
to do the work best; second, which can do it the most expeditiously
and economically.

As the country to be explored is occupied in great part by uncivilized
Indians, all parties engaged in the work at hand must be supplied with
escorts from the Army, thus placing a large portion of the expense upon
the War Department; and as the Engineer Corps of the Army is composed of
scientific gentlemen, educated and practiced for just the kind of work
to be done, and as they are under pay whether employed in this work or
not, it would seem that the second condition named would be more fully
complied with by employing them to do the work. There is but little
doubt that they will accomplish it as promptly and as well, and much
more economically.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _May 19, 1874_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith, in answer to the resolution of the House of
Representatives of the 9th instant, a report[79] from the Secretary of
State, with accompanying papers.

U.S. GRANT.

[Footnote 79: Relating to the involuntary deportation to the United
States of foreign convicts, paupers, idiots, insane persons, etc., and
transmitting correspondence relative thereto.]

WASHINGTON, _May 25, 1874_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 15th instant, I have
the honor to transmit herewith "all papers and correspondence relating
to the troubles in the State of Arkansas not heretofore communicated to
either House of Congress."

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _May 25, 1874_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I have the honor to transmit, in response to the resolution of the
Senate of the 18th instant, requesting "the answers in full received
by the Civil Service Commission in reply to their circular addressed
to the various heads of Departments and bureaus requesting a report as
to the operation and effect of the civil-service rules in the several
Departments and offices," a copy of a letter received from the chairman