I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress with a view to
securing such legislation as may be appropriate, a communication from
the Secretary of the Interior, relating to the destruction by fires,
carelessly kindled or left, of the timber upon the public lands.

If proper penalties were imposed by law and a few convictions thereunder
secured, I do not doubt that much waste of our forests would be
prevented.

BENJ. HARRISON.



EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 18, 1890_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 16th instant,
relating to the negotiations by the Cherokee Commission for the purchase
of certain lands in the Indian Territory, I respectfully state that on
the 20th day of May and the 12th day of June, respectively, agreements
were Signed by the Iowa and the Sac and Fox tribes ceding to the United
States certain of their lands. The contracts and accompanying papers
were received at the Interior Department on the 2d and 17th days of
June, respectively, and are now under examination by the proper officers
of that Department. When these examinations are concluded, the papers
will, if found to be complete and conformable to law, be submitted to
Congress.

BENJ. HARRISON.