EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 16, 1884_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a copy of a
letter from the secretary of state of the State of Pennsylvania, dated
November 26, 1883, inclosing a duly authenticated copy of an act
of the legislature of that State entitled "An act to provide for the
preservation, use, custody, and disposition of the marine hospital at
Erie, and making an appropriation for the repair of the same," approved
July 5, 1883, and tendering to the United States Government, on behalf
of the governor, in pursuance of the provisions of the act, the said
marine hospital for use as a soldiers' and sailors' home.
The papers having upon their receipt been referred by me to the
Secretary of War, I inclose also a copy of his letter of the 12th
instant returning the same, together with a copy of the report of
Captain Edward Maguire, Corps of Engineers, dated the 10th ultimo,
giving a description of the property referred to and expressing his
views as to its adaptability for a soldiers and sailors' home.