New-York tribune., 1882-04-19
THE MESSAGES.
WASHINGTON. April 1e.-The following message
was sent TO Congress to-day:

| WASHINGTON. April 1s.-The following message
| was sent TO Congress to-day:
| To the Senate and House Of Representatives.. 81.
| send herewith copy OF the circular invitation
extended to all the Independent countries oil North
and South America, to participate in general Con
press to be held in the City of Washington on The
| fwentv.second day of November next for the pur-
| pose OF considering and discussing the methods OF
| preventing war between the nations OF America.
In giving tins invitation l was not unaware that
there existed differences between several of the Re-
| publics of South America which would initiate
against the happy results which might otherwise
be expected from such an assemblage. The differ,
ences indicated such as exist between Chill and
| Peru, between Mexico and Guatemala, and be
| tween the States of Central America.
| IL was hoped that these differences would dsap-
pear before the time fixed for the meeting OF the
| Congress This hope has not been realized. Hav-
ing observed that the authority of the President to
convene such Congress has been questioned, beg
leave to state that the Constitution coniers upon
the President the power by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate to make treaties, and that
this provision cOnfers the power to take all requisite
to initiate them, and to this END the fresl
dent may freely confer with one OF several com
misslOners delegates from other nations. Inc
Congress contemplated by the invitation could only
'ecS any valuable result by the conclusions
{, ,entually taking the form of treaty OF peace
between the States represented, and besides the
invitation to the States of North and south
America is merely a preliminary act OF Whlcn con
stitutonahty. or the want OF 1t, can hardly be
affirmed go ,
Congress would have no power to affect the rights
of nationaIties there represented still Congress
might be unwilling to subject the existing treaty
rights of the United States on the ishns and else.
where on the continent to he clouded and rendered
uncertain by the expression OF the opinions OF
Congress composed largely of interested parties.
| am glad TO have ii i'll my power to refer to the
Congress of the United States, now do the pro-
priety of conyening the suggested International
Congress. that may thus be informed of its views,
which It will be my pleasure to carry out. inquiry
having been made by of the Republics invited
whether 1t is intended that the international Con-
gress shall convene, it is important that Congress
le,n nj a ~ =
me by resolution or otherwise OF its opinion IN the
premises Ny action will be in harmony with such
expression CHESTER a. ARTHUR.
Erecatire Mansion, 18th April. 1882.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
The following is the Presidents message to Con-
gress recommending appropriation of -, 100000
for restoring the Mississippi River levees instead of
81 OF 900 heretofore recommended for that pur-
pose by the Mississippi Commission.
TO the Senate and House OF Representatives.
/ transmit herewith n letter dated the 29th ulto.
from the Secretary OF War incloslng copy OF COM
nun ication from the Mississippi River Commission,
in which the Commission recommends that an APP
preparation may be made of ! 100000 for closing
existing gaps in evees IN addition TO tne IKE sum
The subject is one of such Importance that deem
il proper to recommend early and favorable consid
Grafton of the recommendations OF the commission
Having possession of and jurisdiction over the
river Congress, with a view of improving It's nav-
CATION and protecting the people OF the valley from
be made. for the purpose OF acquiring knowledge
OF the laws that control it and of its phenomena
BY the act approved June 2s, 1873, the MlSslsc
sinpi River Commission was created, composed Oh
Section 4 of the act provides that L" 1t shall be
the duty of said Commission TO take into consIdera
tion and mature such plan or plans and estimates
as will correct. permanently locate and deepen the
channel and protect the banks OF the Mississippi
River, improve and give safety and ease TO the
navigation thereof prevent destructive floods. pro-
mote and facilitate commerce, trade ana the postal
service ill.,. .;
tions in and of these objects cannot be questioned:
While the report of the Commission submitted ana
the plans proposed for the rivers improvement,
seem instled as well on scientific principles as by
experience and the approval OF the people most
nteres ed, desire to leave 1t TO the judgment OF
Congress to decide upon the best Ilan Tor the
permanent complete improvement OF tne river
and for the protection of the valley. Inc I'M
mense losses and widespread suffering OF tno
pcople dwelling near the river lnduce ihe 10 ulso
unon Congress the propriety OF not only making an
appr0priati0n TO close the gaps III the leVees occa
stoned 10y the recent Hoods as recomnenueu Ny eto
Commissions but that Congress should lnaugurate
measures for the permanent improvement oi the
navigation of the river and security ol he Valey;
Ii may be that such system Oh F ot wouu
as it progressed require the appropriation Vi tMchty
or thirty millions of dollars Even such an eApeni,
ture extending as it must over several years cano.
be regarded as extravagant IN view Oh the lnhchsc
interests involved. The sale anu conVenieho havi-
cation of the Mississippi Is matter Oh CONCERN 70
all sections of the country, but 10 Tue NortnWest
with its immense haryests needing transportation
TO the sea- and to the inhabitants OF the river valley
whose lives and property depend upon the proper
construction of the safeguards which project them
from the Hoods is is of vital mportance that well
matured aud comprehensive plan for improvement imp
should be put into operation win as ntte deay as
possible The cotton product OF the region supJect 70
The devastating Hoods is a source of wealth to the
nation and of great Importance IN keeping the
balances of trade in our favor. IL may not be IN
onnortnne TO mention that this Government has
aposed and collected some seventy million dollars
nv tax on cotton, In the production OF which the
" oy.ia,Ion 81 tha Iower Misslssppi ls largely en-