1st Session. No. 63. DISTRIBUTION OF REWARDS FOR ARREST OF ASSASSINS OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, IN ANSWER TO A resolution of the House, transmitting a report in regard to the distribution of rewards offered for the arrest of the assassins of the late President Lincoln. MARCH 6, 1866.-Laid on the table and ordered to be printed. To the House of Representatives: I transmit the accompanying report from the Secretary of War, in answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 27th ultimo, requesting information "in regard to the distribution of the rewards offered by the ernment for the arrest of the assassins of the late President Lincoln." gov WASHINGTON, March 5, 1866. ANDREW JOHNSON. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, March 1, 1866. MR. PRESIDENT: In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives, hereto annexed, referred by you to this department, I have the honor to report that no distribution has yet been made of the rewards offered by the government for the arrest of the assassins of the late President Lincoln. Many persons presented claims for the rewards, and, by the order of this department, the Adjutant General and Judge Advocate General were appointed a special commission to examine and adjudicate upon the respective claims. The period for award has, on application by claimants, been extended from time to time, in order that all claimants may be heard and full justice done. When the award has been examined and approved, notice by publication will be given. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. EDWIN M. STANTON, THIRTY-NINTH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION. On motion of Mr. Woodbridge, Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested (if not incompatible with the public interest) to communicate to this House all the information in his possession in regard to the distribution of the rewards offered by the government for the arrest of the assassins of the late President Lincoln. Attest: EDWARD MCPHERSON, Clerk. 1st Session. No. 64. PRESIDENT JUAREZ, OF MEXICO. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, In answer to a resolution of the House of the 27th ultimo, relative to President Juarez, of Mexico. MARCH 7, 1866.-Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed. To the House of Representatives: In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 27th ultimo, requesting certain information in relation to President Benito Juarez, of Mexico, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State. WASHINGTON, March 6, 1866. ANDREW JOHNSON. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, March 5, 1866. The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 27th ultimo, requesting the President "to communicate to that House (if in his opinion not inconsistent with the public interest) any correspondence or other information in possession of the government in regard to the term of office of President Benito Juarez, of the republic of Mexico; as to the period when, under the constitution, a popular election in that country should take place when free from foreign invasion, and as to any vote of confidence and extraordinary powers given to President Juarez by the congress of the Mexican republic," has the honor to report that it would not be expedient to furnish the information called for. The PRESIDENT. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. A resolution of the House of 27th ultimo, relative to clearing the entrance of Lake Superior harbor. MARCH 9, 1866.-Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, March 6, 1866. SIR: In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives, dated February 27, 1866, directing the Secretary of War to communicate such estimates, based upon surveys of Lake Superior harbor, as will show what appropriations are needful to clear the entrance into that harbor, I have the honor to send herewith the Chief Engineer's report on the subject, dated March 5, 1866. Very respectfully, sir., your obedient servant, SIR: I respectfully return herewith the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 27th ultimo, calling for "such estimates, based upon surveys of Lake Superior harbor, as will show what appropriations are needful to clear the entrance into that harbor," &c., referred to this department for report, and beg leave to state that Superior harbor presents difficulties to be surmounted in devising a system of improvement that shall render the entrance into the harbor from the lake of any permanent benefit. Unlike most other localities on the lakes, this harbor receives a river that throws into it annually a heavy freshet, which, being discharged through the harbor, is sufficient to open a good navigable channel, so long as its influence is confined to one outlet and in one direction. During the winter season, the entire bay, harbor and lake, for some miles from the shore, are a mass of ice, with icebergs of considerable size forced by the |