sted, if in his judgment not
incompatible with the public interests, to communicate to the Senate
the record of the proceedings, testimony, and findings of the court of
inquiry in relation to the events connected with the loss of the steamer
_Proteus_ in the Arctic Ocean," I have the honor to transmit herewith
a copy of the record, etc., called for in said resolution, together with
the letter of the Secretary of War, dated the 12th instant, submitting
the same to me.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 13, 1884_.

_To the Senate of the United States:_

In reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 11th instant, I have the
honor to inclose a communication[16] from the Secretary of State.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

[Footnote 16: Relating to the demand of Mexico for the extradition of
Alexander Trimble.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 18, 1884_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

I transmit herewith the report of a board of Army and Navy officers
appointed by me in accordance with the act of Congress approved March 3,
1883, "for the purpose of examining and reporting to Congress which of
the navy-yards or arsenals owned by the Government has the best location
and is best adapted for the establishment of a Government foundry, or
what other method, if any, should be adopted for the manufacture of
heavy ordnance adapted to modern warfare, for the use of the Army and
Navy of the United States, the cost of all buildings, tools, and
implements necessary to be used in the manufacture thereof, including
the cost of a steam hammer or apparatus of sufficient size for the
manufacture of the heaviest guns."

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1884_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State of the 21st
instant, whereby your honorable body, and through you the people of the
United States, may become apprised of the generous contribution made by
Her Britannic Majesty's Government toward the efforts for the relief of
Lieutenant Greely's arctic exploring party by presenting to the United
States the arctic steamship _Alert_.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, February 21, 1884_.

The PRESIDENT:

In the search for vessels suitable for the expedition now preparing to
relieve Lieutenant Greely and his party, attention was early directed to
the _Alert_, which is the property