Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-05-18
President Grant Sends Message TO
the House.
WASHINGTON, May 4.

| a.. .. WASHINGTON. May 4.
| The President to-day sent the following
message 10 the House in reply 10 Represen
| tatiye Blackburn's resolution.
| TO me House II RepresentdLiBess have given
| very attentive consideration to the resolution al
| the House Of Representatives, passed on the Sd
| OF April, requesting the President OF the United
| States 10 Inform the House whether any Exeeu
tive Offices acrs, or duties, and If any what, have
within specified period been performed at dis,
tance from the seat OF Government abliahed by
| law, - etc. have never hesitated, and shall not
hesitate, to communicate TO Congress, and 10
| either branch thereof. all Information which the
| Constitution makes II the duty Of the Presi
| dent To give, or which my judgment may sug.
gest 10 me, a request from either House may In
dieate 10 me may be useful In the discharge OF
| the appropriate duties eondded to them. fail.
however, 10 find In The Consultation Of the United
| States the authority given to the House Of Rep
| reeentAtycs Zone branch OF Congress In which IL
| vested the Legislative power Of he Government
| to require OF the Executive, an independent
| branch of the Government, coordinate with the
| Senate and House Of Representatives, an &C.
| count of his discharge OF his appropriate and
purely Executive offices, acts and duties, either as
| To when, where, or how performed, What the
House Of Representatives may require, az right,
| In iis demand upon the Executive for inforna.
top IL limited 10 what's necessary for the proper
discharge Of its powers OF legislation or OF Inn
peHchment
The inquiry in the resolution OF the House as to
where the Executive acts. within the last seven
year, have been performed, and Mt what distance
rom any particular spot, or for how long period
at any one time, ste, does not necessarily belong
TO the province OF legislation. IL does not profess
TO be asked for that object if this information
be sought through an Inquiry of the President as
10 his Executive acts In view or In aid OF the
power Of impeachment vested In the House. II Is
asked In derogation OF an inherent natural right
recognized In this country by constitutional
guarantee which protects every citizen--the
President Ms well a. the humblest In the land
from being made witness against himself.
During the time that have had the honor TO
occupy the position Of President OF this Govern
ment, II has been. and while continue TO occu.
by that position II Will continue 10 be- my earnest
endeavor Ia recognize and to respect the several
trusts and duties and powers OF the coordinate
branches OF the Government not encroach hing
upon them, nor allowing encroac hments upon the
proper powers Of the Office which the people OF
The United states have conaded TO me, but aim
ing 10 preserve In their proper rcistions the scy.
eral powers and functions OF each OF the co-ordi,
Constitution. and in accordance with the ,olemn
oath which have taken 70 preserve, protect
aud defend that instrument. In maintenance
OF the rights secured BY the Consultation
ment, am compelled to decline any specific or
detailed answer u, the request of the House for
Information NJ to amy Executive ofiices, acts or
duties, and, n apy, what have been performed At
q distance from The seat Of Government es,ab-
lished by law, and for how long period at any
one time, and In what part OF the United States"
IT. however, the House OF Representatives de-
sIres to know whether, during the period OF up.
wards Of seven years during which l have held
the Office of President OF the United States, have
been absent from the seat OF Government. and
whether during that period have performed,
or have neglected To perform, the duties
Of my office, ! freely inform the House
that rom the time of my entrance
upon my Office have been 10 the habit, ~ were
all OF my predecessors, with the exception OF one
who lived only one month amer assuming the
duties OF his Office, aud one whose continued
presence In Washtn ston was necessary from the
existence at the time Of a powerful rebellion, OF
absenting myself at times from the seat OF Gov
ernInent nd that dnf.ng ruch absences did not
neglect Or forepo the obi cations or duties Of my
Executive offices, acts and dnties which were re-
auired OF me ~ President of the United States
1 am not aware that failure occurred
In any one instance Of my exercising the