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[Fourth indorsement.]

OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, March 20, 1880. Respectfully returned to the honorable the Secretary of War inviting attention to the accompanying copy of the report of Maj. W. R. King, Corps of Engineers, dated 18th inst., to whom it was referred.

It is believed that this report will afford the information sought.

JOHN G. PARKE,

Acting Chief of Engineers.

[Copy of inclosure 1 of 2870, W. D., 1880.]

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,
Chattanooga, Tenn., March 18, 1880.

GENERAL: In reply to your indorsement on the inclosed letter from Senator Morgan, I have the honor to report that the contract of S. M. Kimball was in force up to January 1, 1880, the date fixed for its completion, and up to that time it was necessary to reserve funds sufficient to pay for work done under the contract.

The contractor having failed to complete his work at that time, the Secretary of War authorized the annulment of the contract, and there are now no funds pledged on that account. The funds thus released have enabled the work to continue on a reduced scale since the 1st of January, and but for these funds it would have been necessary to stop the work nearly three months ago.

The $10,000 for purchase of land was set apart by the appropriation act, and is being expended in buying such land as is absolutely necessary for straightening and extending the canal. It is impossible to tell just how much will be required for this purpose, as the land titles are in great confusion, and it will require several months to complete the purchases.

The entire amount of funds now available for continuing the work is $24,943.

I may add that in order to carry on this work properly and economically, we should expend at least $40,000 per month. Every dollar less than that amount adds to the cost of the work, as well as to the time necessary to complete it so that it can be utilized.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A.,

Washington, D. C.

H. Ex. 56, pt. 2-2

W. R. KING, Major of Engineers.

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In response to a resolution of the House of Representatives, copies of correspondence in relation to the Interoceanic Canal.

MARCH 8, 1880.-Referred to the Select Committee on the Interoceanic Ship Canal and ordered to be printed.

To the House of Representatives:

I transmit herewith the report of the Secretary of State and the accompanying papers, in response to the resolution adopted by the House of Representatives on the 10th of February last, requesting "copies of all correspondence in relation to the interoceanic canal which may have passed between this government and foreign governments; also between this government and its own representatives in other countries; and between this government and individuals interested in, or proposing to be interested in, negotiations for the construction of such a canal; and that he communicate to this House what, if any, treaty obligations with other governments rest upon this government."

In further compliance with the resolution of the House I deem it proper to state briefly my opinion as to the policy of the United States with respect to the construction of an interoceanic canal, by any route, across the American isthmus.

The policy of this country is a canal under American control. The United States cannot consent to the surrender of this control to any European power or to any combination of European powers. If existing treaties between the United States and other nations, or if the rights of sovereignty or property of other nations stand in the way of this policy-a contingency which is not apprehended-suitable steps should be taken by just and liberal negotiations to promote and establish the American policy on this subject consistently with the rights of the nations to be affected by it.

The capital invested by corporations or citizens of other countries in such an enterprise must in a great degree look for protection to one or more of the great powers of the world. No European power can intervene for such protection without adopting measures on this continent which the United States would deem wholly inadmissible. If the pro

tection of the United States is relied upon, the United States must exercise such control as will enable this country to protect its national interests and maintain the rights of those whose private capital is embarked in the work.

An interoceanic canal across the American isthmus will essentially change the geographical relations between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States, and between the United States and the rest of the world. It will be the great ocean thoroughfare between our Atlantic and our Pacific shores, and virtually a part of the coast line of the United States. Our merely commercial interest in it is greater than that of all other countries, while its relations to our power and prosperity as a nation, to our means of defense, our unity, peace, and safety, are matters of paramount concern to the people of the United States. No other great power would under similar circumstances fail to assert a rightful control over a work so closely and vitally affecting its interest and welfare.

Without urging further the grounds of my opinion, I repeat in conclusion that it is the right and the duty of the United States to assert and maintain such supervision and authority over any interoceanic canal across the isthmus that connects North and South America as will protect our national interests. This, I am quite sure, will be found not only compatible with, but promotive of, the widest and most permanent advantage to commerce and civilization.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

March 8, 1880.

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.

NOTE. The report of the Secretary of State and accompanying documents, this day sent with a message from the President to the Senate in answer to a resolution of the Senate of the 11th of February last upon the subject-matter of this message, are also respectfully submitted herewith in response to the resolution of the House of the 10th ultimo.

2d Session.

No. 58.

REPORT OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION.

LETTER ·

FROM

THE SECRETARY OF WAR,

TRANSMITTING

The preliminary report of the Mississippi River Commission.

MARCH 10, 1880.-Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, March 10, 1880.

The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to Congress, in compliance with the provisions of the act approved June 28, 1879 (chap. 43, Pamphlet Laws, page 38), a preliminary or partial report of the Mississippi River Commission, with the papers accompanying the same; also a minority report of two members of the Commission. Respectfully submitted.

The SPEAKER

of the House of Representatives.

ALEX. RAMSEY,
Secretary of War.

THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION,
PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, ARMY BUILDING,
33 WEST HOUSTON STREET,
New York, March 6, 1889.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a preliminary or prartial report of the Mississippi River Commission. It is expected that the two members of the Commission-General Comstock and Mr. Harrison-who have withheld their signatures from the report will submit separate statements, embodying individual dissenting opinions, upon the several subjects discussed therein. When these are received they will be forwarded without delay, in order that they may take their appropriate place as appendices to the report.

The following papers are hereunto appended, viz.:

1. A financial statement made by Lieut. Smith S. Leach, Corps of Engineers, the disbursing officer of the Commission, showing the disburse

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