To the House of Representatives:In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 4th of December last, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, with its accompanying papers.

They are transmitted with the assurance that any measures that may be enacted in furtherance of these important interests will meet with my cordial approval.

The external commerce of the United States has for many years been the subject of solicitude because of the outward drain of the precious metals it has caused.

The agencies through which this change has been effected must be maintained and strengthened if the future is to be made secure.

If we have equal commercial facilities, we need not fear competition anywhere.

For fully twenty years previous to 1877 the shipment of gold was constant and heavy.

The importation of manufactured goods was at the same time reduced in an equal degree.

The laws have now directed a resumption of financial equality with other nations, and have ordered a return to the basis of coin values.

A return to excessive imports or to a material decline in export trade would render possible a return to the former condition of adverse balances.

In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 5th instant, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, with its accompanying papers.

To the Senate of the United States: I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, together with the copies of papers therein referred to, in compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 27th of May last.

To the Senate of the United States: I transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to ratification, a declaration respecting trade-marks between the United States and Brazil, concluded and signed at Rio de Janeiro on the 24th day of September last.

To the Senate of the United States: I transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to ratification, a convention revising certain portions of existing commercial treaties and further extending commercial intercourse between the United States and Japan, concluded and signed at Washington on the 25th day of July last.

Our relations with other countries continue peaceful.

Our manufacturing industries are reviving.

Our public credit has greatly improved, and is perhaps now stronger than ever before.

I respectfully urge upon your attention that the Congressional elections, in every district, in a very important sense, are justly a matter of political interest and concern throughout the whole country.

We are at peace with all other nations.