as I understand, that the Iowa band did not contribute to the
improvements which were the consideration for the reservation and did
not accept the invitation to settle upon the reservation lands in the
Indian Territory, I do not well see how they have either an equitable or
legal claim to participate in the proceeds of the sale of those lands.

The whole matter is submitted for the consideration of Congress.

BENJ. HARRISON.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, July 2, 1890_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, inclosing
the recommendations of the International American Conference for the
establishment of improved facilities for postal and cable communication
between the United States and the several countries of Central and South
America.

I can not too strongly urge upon Congress the necessity of giving this
subject immediate and favorable consideration and of making adequate
appropriations to carry the recommendations into effect; and in this
connection I beg leave to call attention to what was said on the subject
in my annual message.[9] The delegates of the seventeen neighboring
Republics, which have so recently been assembled in Washington at the
invitation of this Government, have expressed their wish and purpose to
cooperate with the United States in the adoption of measures to improve
the means of communication between the several Republics of America.
They recognize the necessity of frequent, regular, and rapid steamship
service, both for the purpose of maintaining friendly intercourse
and for the convenience of commerce, and realize that without such
facilities it is useless to attempt to extend the trade between their
ports and ours.

BENJ. HARRISON.

[Footnote 9: See pp. 56-57.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, July 2, 1890_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith, for your information, a letter from the Secretary
of State, inclosing a copy of a resolution passed by the International
American Conference with reference to the celebration of the fourth
centennial of the discovery of America.

BENJ. HARRISON.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 2, 1890_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith, as required by section 14 of the act of March 2,
1889, an agreement concluded on the 20th day of May last between the
commissioners on behalf of the United States, commonly kno