_Resolved_, That the President be respectfully requested to inform the Senate, with the view to the transaction of its executive business, whether in any of the instances of nominations hitherto sent to the Senate stated to be for appointment in place of officers removed such removals had been made at the time of sending such nominations to the Senate. 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. 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 incumbent whose name was indicated. R.B. HAYES. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 17, 1878_. _To the Senate of the United States_: 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 Percé War, I have the honor to submit the accompanying communication from the General of the Army and an extract from the annual report of that officer. Upon the subject of the cost of the Nez Percé War, I submit reports from the Quartermaster-General and the Commissary-General of Subsistence. R.B. HAYES. WASHINGTON, _January 18, 1878_. _To the Senate of the United States_: 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. R.B. HAYES. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1878_. _To the Senate of the United States_: 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[8] requested. R.B. HAYES. [Footnote 8: Operation of the Union Pacific Railroad and its branches.] [A similar message was sent to the House of Representatives, in answer to a resolution of that body of November 27, 1877.] EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 23, 1878_. _To the Senate of the United States_: In answer to the resolution of the Senate of November 16, 1877, I transmit reports[9] made to me by the Attorney-General and the Secretary of the Navy. R.B. HAYES. [Footnote 9: Relating to the seizure of logs, lumber, and naval stores suspected or having been taken from the public lands.] EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 29, 1878_. _To the Senate of the United States_: In response to a resolution of the Senate of the 10th ultimo, I transmit herewith copies of reports[10] of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs and General Land Office, dated 9th and 21st instant, respectively. R.B. HAYES.