I submit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, and accompanying papers, in which he recommends that authority be given for the payment of certain damages which unexpectedly occurred to the property of private persons on the Government reservation at Hot Springs, Ark., in consequence of work performed under the direction of the superintendent in the performance of his duty. CHESTER A. ARTHUR. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_. _To the Senate and House of Representatives_: I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a copy of a communication from the Commissioner of Pensions, in which he recommends that more adequate provision be made for the payment of the expenses of obtaining evidence of the extent of the disability of those pensioners of the United States and applicants for pension who reside in foreign countries. CHESTER A. ARTHUR. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_. _To the Senate and House of Representatives_: I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with accompanying papers, asking, for reasons stated by him, that Congress may be requested to make a special appropriation for the payment of the claim of Isaac A. Sylvester against the Navy Department. CHESTER A. ARTHUR. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_. _To the Senate and House of Representatives_: I transmit herewith a communication of the Secretary of the Interior, dated the 16th instant, relative to the necessity for a deficiency appropriation for the payment of salaries of clerks and laborers in the Patent Office during the present fiscal year. The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. CHESTER A. ARTHUR. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_. _To the Senate and House of Representatives_: I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with a copy of a letter from the Superintendent of the United States Naval Observatory, accompanied by a draft of a bill, with estimates for an observation of the transit of Venus on the 6th of December, 1882. The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress. CHESTER A. ARTHUR. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_. _To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a memorial and papers from the Seneca Nation of New York Indians embodying a resolution and remonstrance against the passage of Senate bill No. 19, "to provide for the allotment of lands in severalty to Indians on the various reservations," etc., together with a report thereon of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, recommending an amendment to the seventh section thereof excluding the lands of said Indians. The accompanying papers are transmitted with the message to the Senate. CHESTER A. ARTHUR. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_.