In response to a resolution of the Senate of the 10th ultimo, I transmit herewith copies of reports of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs and General Land Office, dated 9th and 21st instant, respectively.

I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a treaty of friendship and commerce between the United States and the Government of the Samoan Islands, signed on the 17th instant.

In answer to the resolution of the Senate of December 6, 1877, I inclose a report made to me by the Attorney-General, the results of which seem to be correct, and which affords the information requested.

In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 13th November last calling for information concerning the cause, numbers engaged, number of lives lost, and probable cost of the late so-called Nez Perce War, I have the honor to submit…

Upon the subject of the cost of the Nez Perce War, I submit reports from the Quartermaster-General and the Commissary-General of Subsistence.

The form used for such nominations was one found to have been in existence and heretofore used in some of the Departments, and was intended to inform the Senate that if the nomination proposed were approved it would operate to remove an…

In reply I would respectfully inform the Senate that in the instances referred to removals had not been made at the time the nominations were sent to the Senate.

In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 3d ultimo, requesting to be furnished with the correspondence between the Government of Venezuela and that of the United States had since the adjournment of the first…

By virtue of the authority conferred upon me by section 5287 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, and in execution of the same, you are hereby empowered and directed to take possession of the steamer Estelle, now or lately lying…

With these brief suggestions the bill is respectfully returned, and the consideration of Congress invited to the accompanying preamble and resolutions.

I transmit herewith, in answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 16th of December last, a report from the Secretary of State of the 6th instant.

No power exists in the Constitution authorizing the joint resolution or the supposed law--the only difference being that one would be more palpably unconstitutional and revolutionary than the other.

Feeling constrained to withhold my consent, I herewith return the resolution to the Senate, in which House it originated, with a brief statement of the reasons which have induced my action.

In compliance with and execution of the act of Congress before mentioned, do issue this my proclamation, announcing the fact of the ratification of the said amendment by the legislature of the State of Louisiana.

I transmit the accompanying communications from the Secretary of the Interior, together with the papers to which they have reference.

The danger of a defeat of the people's choice in an election by the House of Representatives remains unprovided for in the Constitution.

I would therefore recommend such an amendment of the Constitution as may remove all intermediate agency in the election of the President and Vice-President.

My object in this communication is to suggest certain defects in the Constitution which seem to me to require correction.