1st Session. { No. 89. VERMILLION HARBOR. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR, TRANSMITTING, In response to House resolution of the 12th instant, the report of Lieut. Col. C. E. Blunt, United States Engineers, on harbor of Vermillion, Ohio. JANUARY 21, 1876.-Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, In response to House resolution of the 12th instant, the Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the House of Representatives copy of the report of Lieut, Col. C. E. Blunt, of the Corps of Engineers, in relation to the harbor of Vermillion, Ohio, dated November 19, 1875. WM. W. BELKNAP, Secretary of War. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Washington, D. C., January 18, 1876. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of the following resolution of the House of Representatives, dated January 12, 1876: "That the Secretary of War be, and he is, requested to transmit to this House a copy of the report of Colonel Blunt, made since the date of his last annual report, in relation to the harbor of Vermillion, Ohio," and, in compli ance therewith, to submit the inclosed copy of the report referred to, dated November 19, 1875. The resolution of the House of Representatives is herewith respectfully returned. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. A. HUMPHREYS, Brigadier-General and Chief of Engineers. Hon. W. W. BELKNAP, UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, GENERAL: I have the honor to submit herewith a special report on the subject of Vermillion Harbor, in which, for reasons assigned, I suggest that the appropriation for next year be made $11,000, in lieu of the $5,000 asked in my annual report. Vermillion Harbor, Ohio.-Supplementary report. The appropriation of $10,000, which was made for this harbor by act approved March 3, 1875, was expended during the months of September and October, 1875, in blasting and removing from the channel by dredging about 4,000 cubic yards of material, mostly solid rock. The result obtained, though very satisfactory to those interested, and very useful as far as it goes, is not what was thought might be obtained in my letter to the Department, dated September 15, 1874, for the prin cipal reason that my approximate estimate related to the channel between the existing United States piers, but in consequence of urgent representations made to my assistant, Capt. M. B. Adams, Corps of Engineers, by citizens of the place, he having visited the harbor to start the work, directed it to be commenced in a portion of the channel above the present west pier, though opposite to the remains of that pier as originally constructed. A considerable sum was expended in this section, which it had been my intention to apply in other parts of the channel, and which, if so applied, would have, I believe, secured a nearer approach to the special object I estimated for in my letter of September 15, 1874. Second. Several hundred yards of loose rock, the existence of which was not known at the date of my estimate, were removed from the lower part of the channel. This rock (limestone) constituted the cargo of a vessel wrecked in the channel many years ago. Third. The contract prices were higher than my estimate, there hav ing been little competition. The appropriation has consequently been exhausted without making a channel 100 feet wide and 14 feet deep between the piers, and as far out in the lake as the 14-foot curve. Where the work has been done the depth has been made, but not the width. Since the close of operations a careful series of soundings and borings have been made under my direction, and the calculations based upon this examination show that to complete the channel there must be removed about 2,800 cubic yards of rock and 13,000 cubic yards of sand, which, at the last contract prices, would cost $11,000. In this estimate I do not include any more work in the section of channel above the present west pier. It may be doubted whether the United States should be expected to do anything more in that section of the channel. There should be, in my opinion, a dividing line somewhere between improvements made in harbors at the cost of the United States Treasury and those which local interests may be expected to make. This line, I think, is in this case the end of the present west pier, as recently rebuilt. The south end of the original pier is now abandoned and needs no further expenditure. It was necessary when built, but is now backed by made land, a portion of which has been occupied as a private ship-yard. To widen the channel in this section to 100 feet, with 14 feet water, would cost $6,000 in addition to the $11,000 herein estimated. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, C. E. BLUNT, Lieut. Col. of Engineers. Chief of Engineers U. S. A., Washington, D. C. 1st Session. No. 90. CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES GOV. ERNMENT AND SPAIN IN RELATION TO THE ISLAND OF CUBA. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING In response to resolution of the House of Representatives of the 17th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents. JANUARY 21, 1876.-Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed. To the House of Representatives: I transmit to the House of Representatives, in answer to their resolution of the 17th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents. WASHINGTON, January, 21, 1876. U. S. GRANT. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 17th January, instant, "That the President be requested to furnish to this House all correspondence between the Government of the United States and Spain, in relation to the island of Cuba, which is not incompatible with the public interest," has the honor to lay before the President certain documents and correspondence furnishing the information called for by said resolution. As correspondence between the Government of the United States and Spain in relation to the island of Cuba has on several occasions heretofore been communicated to Congress, as well as that touching particular questions which have arisen between the United States and Spain in Cuba, the correspondence now transmitted is limited to the late correspondence upon the subjects referred to in the resolution, and which has not been previously communicated to Congress. The information is arranged under the following divisions: 1. A communication made to the government of Spain, through Mr. Cushing, the minister of the United States at Madrid, bearing date November 5, 1875, with the correspondence incident to the presentation of the same to the Spanish government, and with the instructions addressed to certain of the representatives of the United States in reference thereto. 2. Extracts from the correspondence between the Department of State and the minister of the United States in Madrid, and between this Department and the consul-general of the United States in Havana, concerning the condition of affairs in Cuba, and matters relating thereto. 3. Correspondence in reference to the trial of General Burriel, pursuant to the protocol of November 29, 1873, growing out of the capture of the Virginius. This correspondence was not transmitted to Congress with the papers and correspondence in reference to the Virginius, the question being then under discussion with the Spanish government. Negotiations are still in progress between the government of Spain and the United States, in reference to complaints arising from trials of citizens of the United States in violation of treaty provisions, and from the confiscation or embargo of the property of citizens of the United States in Cuba. For such reason the correspondence on such questions is not transmitted herewith. Respectfully submitted. The PRESIDENT. HAMILTON FISH. LIST OF ACCOMPANYING PAPERS. I.-CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND SPAIN. 1. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, November 5, 1875. 2. Mr. Fish to Mr. Schenck, November 5, 1875. 3. Mr. Fish to Mr. Washburne, November 15, 1875. 4. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, telegram, November 16, 1875. II. CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN CUBA, AND MATTERS RELATING THERETO. 18. Mr. Hall to Mr. Cadwalader, July 7, 1875, with an accompaniment. 19. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, July 23, 1875, (extract,) with an accompaniment. 20. Mr. Hall to Mr. Cadwalader, July 27, 1875, with accompaniments. 21. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, September 10, 1875, with accompaniments. 22. Same to same, October 6, 1875, (extract.) 23. Same to same, (extract,) October 7, 1875. 24. Same to same, October 16, 1875, with accompaniments. 25. Same to same, (extract,) October 28, 1875, with an accompaniment. 26. Same to same, (extract,) November 12, 1875, with an accompaniment. 27. Same to same, November 15, 1875. 28. Mr. Williams to Mr. Cadwalader, November 20, 1875, (extract,) with an accompaniment. 29. Mr. Hall to Mr. Cadwalader, December 22, 1875, (extract,) with accompaniments. 30. Same to same, (extract,) December 23, 1875. III-CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE TRIAL OF GENERAL BURRIEL PURSUANT TO THE PROTOCOL, GROWING OUT OF THE CAPTURE OF THE VIRGINIUS. 31. Protocol of November 29, 1873. 32. Mr. Sickles to Mr. Fish, January 31, 1874. 33. Mr. Adee to Mr. Fish, April 25, 1874, with an accompaniment. 34. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, June 9, 1874. 35. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, (extract,) June 27, 1874, with an accompaniment. 36. Same to same, July 10, 1874, with an accompaniment. 37. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, July 22, 1874. 3. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, July 22, 1874, with an accompaniment. 39. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, August 15, 1874. 40. Same to same, (extract,) August 21, 1874. 41. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, September 27, 1874, with an accompaniment. 42. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, October 29, 1874. 43. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, December 1, 1874, with an accompaniment. 44. Same to same, telegram, December 4, 1874, (extract.) 45. Same to same, (extract,) December 5, 1874, with an accompaniment. 46. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, telegram, December 7, 1874, (extract.) 47. Same to same, (extract,) December 30, 1874. 48. Same to same, (extract,) February 19, 1875. 49. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, (extract,) May 17, 1875. 50. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, June 4, 1875. 51. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, telegram, August 23, 1875. 52. Same to same, (extract,) August 23, 1875, with an accompaniment. 53. Same to same, August 25, 1875, with accompaniments. 54. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, August 31, 1875, (extract.) 55. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, September 22, 1875, (extract.) 56. Same to same, telegram, September 28, 1875. 57. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, telegram, September 29, 1875. 58. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, telegram, October 1, 1875. 39. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, (extract,) October 6, 1875. 60. Same to same, (extract,) October 6, 1875, with an accompaniment. 61. Same to same, (extract,) October 20, 1875, with accompaniments. 62. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, November 5, 1875. 63. Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish, telegram, November 16, 1875, (extract.) 64. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing, (extract,) January 6, 1876. ་ L-CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE No. 266.] UNITED STATES AND SPAIN. No. 1. Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 5, 1875. SIR: Pursuant to the intimation conveyed in my No. 242, I deem it necessary to recur to the general question of our relations with Spain, and to consider the progress which has been made in disposing of the outstanding questions which for some time past have seriously threatened the relations of the two countries. At the time of your departure for Madrid, apart from the general question of the unsatisfactory condition of affairs in Cuba and the failure to suppress the revolution, several prominent questions remained unadjusted, the settlement of which was deemed necessary before any satisfactory relations with Spain could be established or maintained. Upon all of these you were instructed. The most prominent among them were the questions arising from the embargo and confiscation of estates of American citizens in Cuba; those relating to the trial of American citizens in that island, in violation of |