The custom-house should be a business office.

The New York custom-house should be placed on the same footing with the New York post-office.

It should be conducted on business principles.

The custom-house in New York collects more than two-thirds of all the customs revenues of the Government.

In answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 7th instant, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, with its accompanying papers.

I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, copies of a report and accompanying papers received from the Secretary of the Interior.

In answer to resolution of the House of Representatives of the 16th instant, requesting the Commissioner of Agriculture to forward to the House any facts or statistics in his office on the subject of forestry not heretofore reported…

It is hereby ordered that the order of May 10, 1877, setting apart as a reservation for the Northwestern Shoshone Indians of Nevada...be, and the same is hereby, canceled and the said lands are restored to their original status.

In answer to a resolution of the Senate of the 3d of June last, requesting a copy of correspondence between this Government and that of Her Britannic Majesty in regard to inviting other maritime powers to accede to the three rules of…

In answer to a resolution of the Senate of the 17th of June last, requesting the Commissioner of Agriculture to send to the Senate certain reports on sheep husbandry, copies of the same, with accompanying papers, received from the…

It is hereby ordered that all the public lands embraced within the following boundaries...be, and the same are hereby, withdrawn from sale and set apart for the use of the Pima and Maricopa Indians, in addition to their present reservation…

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.

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.

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

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.

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.