I am constrained to interpose an objection to a measure which proposes to suspend general and wholesome laws for the purpose of granting what appears to me to be an undeserved gratuity.

I transmit herewith a communication of the 27th ultimo from the Secretary of the Interior.

I do not suppose that 'the public offices of the United States' are regulated or controlled in their relations to either House of Congress by the fact that they were 'created by laws enacted by themselves.'

That the exclusion of Chinese labor is demanded in other countries where like conditions prevail is strongly evidenced in the Dominion of Canada.

The harmony of our relations with China is fully sustained.

I am quite prepared to avow that the cases are not few in which suspensions from office have depended more upon oral representations made to me by citizens of known good repute than upon any letters and documents presented for my…

This outrage upon law and treaty engagements was committed by a lawless mob.

I believe the power to remove or suspend such officials is vested in the President alone by the Constitution.

I have forborne addressing the Senate upon the subject.

Were there no treaty in existence referring to the rights of Chinese subjects; did they come hither as all other strangers who voluntarily resort to this land of freedom, of self-government, and of laws, here peaceably to win their bread…

The important question, then, is whether it is within the constitutional competence of either House of Congress to have access to the official papers and documents in the various public offices of the United States.

I consider them in no proper sense as upon the files of the Department.

Race prejudice is the chief factor in originating these disturbances.

Every pledge which I have made by which I have placed a limitation upon my exercise of executive power has been faithfully redeemed.

I am not responsible to the Senate, and I am unwilling to submit my actions and official conduct to them for judgment.

I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate of the 9th instant, a statement showing the payments of awards of the commissioners appointed under the conventions between the United States and France concluded April 30…

Also, for the further information of the Senate, a report prepared by direction of the Secretary of State, from the original records in his custody, of the awards made by the said commissioners in claims allowed by them.

I do hereby command and warn all insurgents and all persons who have assembled at any point within the said Territory of Washington for the unlawful purposes aforesaid to desist therefrom and to disperse and retire peaceably to their…