Show MRS GRANT transfers the generals belies to the government by western wester a abed press to the thc washington feb 3 president arthur has transmitted to the house of representatives tho the following mes sage I 1 I 1 TV T the house of 1 I take especial pleasure in laying before congress the generous afler ou er made by sirs grant to give the government ern ment in perpetual perpetual trust tho the swords and mi military tary and civic beati testimonials lately belonging to general grant A copy of or the deed of rust trust and of a letter addressed to roe me by win 11 II vanderbilt will explain the nature and motive of this offer the ap appreciation recitation recia tion of general grants achievements and recognition of his just fame have in part taken shape in numerous mementoes and gifts which while dear to him possess for tha the nation exceptional interest theeo these relies historical value have passed into the lie hands of an other whose considerate action re res stored tho the collection to mrs grant as a lifo life trust on condition that at the death of general grant or sooner at mrs grants option it shall become the property of tho the government as set forth in the accompanying accompany ing papers in tho the exercise of the option thus given her mrs grant elects that the trust shall forthwith terminate a and asks ks that tho the goberni government nent 1 designate I g at e a I suitable i table place of deposit and ft a responsible pon sible custodian for the collection T tho ho nature of this gift girt and the value of tho the relics which the generosity of a private citizen joined to the high r cense 1 amse of public regard which ani mates ates mra mrs grant have thua thus placed at tho tile diep disposal osal of the government demand full and signal bignal recognition on n behalf of tho nation at the hands of its representatives I 1 therefore ask that congress Con grens take suitable action to accept 11 the trust and provide for its secure cut custody cufeto tody dy at the same time recording the appreciative gratitude of the people of the united states to the tile donors in this connection I 1 may pertinently avert to pending legislation in the senate and house of liep looking to national recognition of gen Or grants rants eminent nent services ser vicea by providing the means for his restoration to tho the army on the retired list and that congress taking such action will give expression to tid almost universal desire of the people p 0 of this a nati nation on is evident and kni i earnestly ir t y urge rg the of an act similar t to ae benato t bill No 2530 which while not interra interfering ri ng with the constitutional att dional prerogative of appointment ent will avill enable the president in iii discretion to nominate gen grant as general on the retired list signed CHESTER A ARTi tuu the tho rec accompanying papers referred to are the deed of trust executed by vanderbilt and that gent lemans ans letter to the president informing him of hia ilia action |