e of
law, and the protection of life. Their bearing reflects credit upon the
soldiers, and if wrong has resulted the blame is with the turbulent
element surrounding them.

I now earnestly ask that such action be taken by Congress as to leave my
duties perfectly clear in dealing with the affairs of Louisiana, giving
assurance at the same time that whatever may be done by that body in the
premises will be executed according to the spirit and letter of the law,
without fear or favor.

I herewith transmit copies of documents containing more specific
information as to the subject-matter of the resolution.

U.S. GRANT.

[Footnote 90: See pp. 276-277.]

[Footnote 91: See pp. 275-277.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 14, 1875_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

Senate bill No. 1044, "to provide for the resumption of specie
payments," is before me, and this day receives my signature of approval.

I venture upon this unusual method of conveying the notice of approval
to the "House in which the measure originated" because of its great
importance to the country at large and in order to suggest further
legislation which seems to me essential to make this law effective.

It is a subject of congratulation that a measure has become law which
fixes a date when specie resumption shall commence and implies an
obligation on the part of Congress, if in its power, to give such
legislation as may prove necessary to redeem this promise.

To this end I respectfully call your attention to a few suggestions:

First. The necessity of an increased revenue to carry out the obligation
of adding to the sinking fund annually 1 per cent of the public debt,
amounting now to about $34,000,000 per annum, and to carry out the
promises of this measure to redeem, under certain contingencies, eighty
millions of the present legal-tenders, and, without contingency, the
fractional currency now in circulation.

How to increase the surplus revenue is for Congress to devise, but
I will venture to suggest that the duty on tea and coffee might be
restored without permanently enhancing the cost to the consumers, and
that the 10 per cent horizontal reduction of the tariff on articles
specified in the law of June 6, 1872, be repealed. The supply of tea and
coffee already on hand in the United States would in all probability be
advanced in price by adopting this measure. But it is known that the
adoption of free entry to those articles of necessity