The Senate is aware that the consultation with that body in advance
of entering into agreements with foreign states has many precedents.
In the early days of the Republic General Washington repeatedly asked
their advice upon pending questions with such powers. The most important
recent precedent is that of the Oregon boundary treaty, in 1846.
The importance of the results hanging upon the present state of the
treaty with Great Britain leads me to follow these former precedents
and to desire the counsel of the Senate in advance of agreeing to the
proposal of Great Britain.
U.S. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 14, 1872_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:_
In my message to Congress at the beginning of its present session
allusion was made to the hardships and privations inflicted upon poor
immigrants on shipboard and upon arrival on our shores, and a suggestion
was made favoring national legislation for the purpose of effecting a
radical cure of the evil.
Promise was made that a special message on this subject would be
presented during the present session should information be received
which would warrant it. I now transmit to the two Houses of Congress
all that has been officially received since that time bearing upon the
subject, and recommend that such legislation be had as will secure,
first, such room and accommodation on shipboard as is necessary for
health and comfort, and such privacy and protection as not to compel
immigrants to be the unwilling witnesses to so much vice and misery;
and, second, legislation to protect them upon their arrival at our
seaports from the knaves who are ever ready to despoil them of the
little all which they are able to bring with them.
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