ith a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying
documents, in response to a resolution of the House of Representatives
of February 13, 1882, touching the protection of American citizens in
Persia and the establishment of diplomatic relations with that country.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 3, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter
from the Secretary of the Interior, in which he sets forth the
necessity which will exist for an appropriation for the payment of the
commissioners to be appointed under the recent act of Congress entitled
"An act to amend section 5352 of the Revised Statutes of the United
States in reference to bigamy, and for other purposes," and also for the
payment of the election officers to be appointed by said commissioners.

In this connection I submit to Congress that, in view of the important
and responsible duties devolved upon the commissioners under this act,
their compensation at $3,000 per annum, as provided therein, should be
increased to a sum not less than $5,000 per annum.

Such increased compensation, in my judgment, would secure a higher order
of ability in the persons to be selected and tend more effectually to
carry out the objects of the act.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 3, 1882_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I forward herewith, in compliance with a resolution of the House of
Representatives of the 6th of February ultimo, calling for information
in reference to the arrest and imprisonment in Mexico of certain
American citizens, a further report from the Secretary of State and its
accompanying paper, concerning the cases of Thomas Shields and Charles
Weber, to which that resolution refers.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 4, 1882_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

In partial response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of
the 31st of January last, on the subject of American citizens imprisoned
in Ireland, I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 4, 1882_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from
the Secretary of War, dated March 31, 1882, and accompanying report
from the Chief of Engineers, with its inclosures, relative to the
construction of a bridge