EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, August 19, 1893_.

The above amendments to clause 2 of Departmental Rule VIII and said rule
as so amended are hereby approved.

GROVER CLEVELAND.




FIRST ANNUAL MESSAGE.


EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 4, 1893_.

_To the Congress of the United States_:

The constitutional duty which requires the President from time to time
to give to the Congress information of the state of the Union and
recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge
necessary and expedient is fittingly entered upon by commending to the
Congress a careful examination of the detailed statements and
well-supported recommendations contained in the reports of the heads of
Departments, who are chiefly charged with the executive work of the
Government. In an effort to abridge this communication as much as is
consistent with its purpose I shall supplement a brief reference to the
contents of these departmental reports by the mention of such executive
business and incidents as are not embraced therein and by such