EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, January 20, 1887.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit herewith, with a view to its ratification, a draft of declaration explanatory of Articles II and IV of the convention for the protection of submarine cables, which has been proposed by the conference of 1886 for ratification by the Governments adhering to the said convention.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 20, 1887.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I herewith transmit a communication addressed to me by Mr. Samuel C. Reid, who offers to the United States the battle sword (now in my custody) of his father, Captain Samuel Chester Reid, who commanded the United States private armed brig General Armstrong at the battle of Fayal, in September, 1814.

I respectfully recommend that appropriate action be taken by Congress for the acceptance of this gift.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 20, 1887.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I have the honor to transmit to the Senate herewith a report of the Secretary of State, in answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 11th instant, requesting “estimates for the contingent fund of each bureau” in the Department of State.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 20, 1887.

To the Senate: 

I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, in answer to the resolution of the Senate of December 8, 1886, relative to the claims of Antonio Pelletier and A.H.  Lazare against the Republic of Hayti.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 23, 1887.

To the Senate of the United States: 

In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 21st ultimo, calling for certain correspondence touching the construction of a ship canal through Nicaragua, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State on the subject, with accompanying papers.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 1, 1887.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, together with a copy of the report, which it incloses, of Lieutenant William H. Schuetze, United States Navy, who was designated by the Secretary of the Navy, in pursuance of the act of Congress of March 3, 1885, making appropriations for the sundry civil expenses of the Government for the year ending June 30, 1886, to distribute the testimonials of the Government to subjects of Russia who extended aid to the survivors of the Jeannette exploring expedition and to the parties dispatched by this Government to aid the said survivors.

The report is interesting alike to the people of the United States and to the subjects of Russia, and will be gratifying to all who appreciate the generous and humane action of Congress in providing for the testimonials.