The capital of the nation should be something more than a mere political center. We should avail ourselves of all the opportunities which Providence has here placed at our command to promote the general intelligence of the people and increase the conditions most favorable to the success and perpetuity of our institutions. R.B. HAYES. SPECIAL MESSAGES. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 10, 1877_. _To the Senate and House of Representatives_: I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, a copy of the report of the commission appointed by me on the 27th of September, 1877, to examine the several public buildings in this city and determine the nature and extent of their security against conflagrations and the measures to be taken to guard the buildings and their contents from destruction or damage by fire. The records of the Government constitute a most valuable collection for the country, whether we consider their pecuniary value or their historical importance; and it becomes my duty to call your attention to the means suggested for securing these valuable archives, as well as the buildings in which they are stored. The commissioners have performed their duties intelligently and faithfully. Their recommendations are fully concurred in by me and commended to the favorable consideration of Congress. R.B. HAYES. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 10, 1877_. _To the Senate and House of Representatives_: I have the honor to transmit herewith an additional report (and an accompanying statement) addressed to me by the commissioners appointed under the act of Congress approved July 19, 1876, authorizing the repavement of that part of Pennsylvania avenue lying between the Treasury Department and the Capitol Grounds. R.B. HAYES. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 13, 1877_. _To the House of Representatives_: I transmit herewith a special report upon the subject of forestry by the Commissioner of Agriculture, with the accompanying documents. R.B. HAYES. [A similar message was sent to the Senate.] WASHINGTON, _January 11, 1878_. _To the House of Representatives_: 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 session of the Forty-fourth Congress in relation to the Venezuela Mixed Claims Commission, I transmit the report of the Secretary of State, together with its accompanying documents. R.B. HAYES. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 14, 1878_. _To the Senate of the United States_: I have received the following resolution of the Senate: IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, _December 11, 1877._