bonded debt of the District the aggregate
sums above stated as respects 3.65 bonds now issued, the outstanding
certificates of the board of audit, and the unadjusted claims pending
before that board should be reduced to the extent of the amount to be
apportioned to the United States Government in the manner indicated in
the act of Congress of June 20, 1874.

I especially invite your attention to the recommendations of the
commissioners of the sinking fund relative to the ambiguity of the act
of June 20, 1874, the interest on the District bonds, and the
consolidation of the indebtedness of the District.

I feel much indebted to the gentlemen who consented to leave their
private affairs and come from a distance to attend to the business of
this District, and for the able and satisfactory manner in which it has
been conducted. I am sure their services will be equally appreciated by
the entire country.

It will be seen from the accompanying full report of the board of health
that the sanitary condition of the District is very satisfactory.

In my opinion the District of Columbia should be regarded as the grounds
of the national capital, in which the entire people are interested. I do
not allude to this to urge generous appropriations to the District, but
to draw the attention of Congress, in framing a law for the government
of the District, to the magnificent scale on which the city was planned
by the founders of the Government; the manner in which, for ornamental
purposes, the reservations, streets, and avenues were laid out, and the
proportion of the property actually possessed by the General Government.
I think the proportion of the expenses of the government and
improvements to be borne by the General Government, the cities of
Washington and Georgetown, and the county should be carefully and
equitably defined.

In accordance with section 3, act approved June 23, 1874, I appointed a
board to make a survey of the mouth of the Mississippi River with a view
to determine the best method of obtaining and maintaining a depth of
water sufficient for the purposes of commerce, etc.; and in accordance
with an act entitled "An act to provide for the appointment of a
commission of engineers to investigate and report a permanent plan for
the reclamation of the alluvial basin of the Mississippi River subject
to inundation," I appointed a commission of engineers. Neither board has
yet completed its labors. When their reports are r