(Confidential promemoria, of March 13, 1897, of Mr. Sherman, Secretary of State. Senate Document 666, 60th Congress, 2d Session.)

Having reference to the confidential promemoria submitted by his excellency the British ambassador, on the 8th of March, last, and being desirous, in view of the circumstance of that Republic being an offshoot of the community of the United States, and to show toward it a kind spirit and all proper sympathy, the United States for its part declares the special interest taken by it in the independence of the Republic of Liberia and the concern it must feel should any prospect of its absorption by a foreign power develop in the future.

The Government of the United States is gratified to perceive from the British promemoria of March 8 last that Her Majesty's Government, entertains a similar special interest in the independence of the Liberian Republic.

(Report of Jan. 18, 1909, of Mr. Root, Secretary of State, to the President. Senate Document 666, 60th Congress, 2nd Session.)

It is unnecessary to argue that the duty of the United States toward the unfortunate victims of the slave trade was not completely performed by landing them upon the coast of Africa, and that our nation rests under the highest obligation to assist them, so far as they need assistance, toward the maintenance of free, orderly, and prosperous civil society.

(Special Message of Jan. 19, 1909, of President Roosevelt to Congress. Senate Document 666, 60th Congress, 1st Session.)

The relations of the United States to Liberia are such as to make it an imperative duty for us to do all in our power to help the little Republic which is struggling against such adverse conditions.

(Report of March 22, 1910, of Mr. Knox, Secretary of State, to the President. Senate Document 457, 61st Congress, 2nd Session.)

The report of the commission [to Liberia] and its recommendations have received most attentive study on the part of the Department of State and the conclusion is reached that action in the suggested lines is not only expedient but in the nature of a duty to a community which owes its existence to the United States and is the nation's ward.

(Special message of March 25, 1910, of President Taft. Senate Document 457, 61st Congress, 2nd Session.)

I cordially concur in the views of the Secretary of State and trust that the policy of the United States toward Liberia will be so shaped

as to fulfill our national duty to the Liberian people, who, by the efforts of this Government and through the material enterprise of American citizens, were established on the African coast and set on the pathway to sovereign statehood.

Order of the Secretary of War Appointing the Sanitary Commission.

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, June 9, 1861.

The Secretary of War has learned, with great satisfaction, that at the instance and in pursuance of the suggestion of the Medical Bureau, in a communication to this office, dated May 22, 1861, Henry W. Bellows, D. D., Prof. A. D. Bache, LL. D., Prof. Jeffries Wyman, M. D., Prof. Wolcott Gibbs, M. D., W. H. Van Buren, M. D., Samuel G. Howe, M. D., R. C. Wood, Surgeon U. S. A., G. W. Cullum, U. S. A., Alexander E. Shiras, U. S. A., have mostly consented, in connection with such others as they may choose to associate with them, to act as "A Commission of Inquiry and Advice in respect of the Sanitary Interests of the United States Forces," and without remuneration from the Government. The Secretary has submitted their patriotic proposal to the consideration of the President, who directs the acceptance of the services thus generously offered.

The Commission, in connection with a Surgeon of the U. S. A., to be designated by the Secretary, will direct its inquiries to the principles and practices connected with the inspection of recruits and enlisted men; the sanitary condition of the volunteers; to the means of preserving and restoring the health, and of securing the general comfort and efficiency of troops; to the proper provision of cooks, nurses, and hospitals; and to other subjects of like nature.

The Commission will frame such rules and regulations, in respect of the objects and modes of its inquiry, as may seem best adapted to the purpose of its constitution, which, when approved by the Secretary, will be established as general guides of its investigations and action.

A room with necessary conveniences will be provided in the City of Washington for the use of the Commission, and the members will meet when and at such places as may be convenient to them for consultation, and for the determination of such questions as may come properly before the Commission.

In the progress of its inquiries, the Commission will correspond freely with the Department and with the Medical Bureau, and will communicate to each, from time to time, such observations and results as it may deem expedient and important.

The Commission will exist until the Secretary of War shall otherwise direct, unless sooner dissolved by its own action.

I approve the above.

SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War.

June 13, 1861.

A. LINCOLN.

Plan of Organization for "The Commission of Inquiry and Advice in Respect of the Sanitary Interests of the United States Forces."

The Commission naturally divides itself into two branches, one of Inquiry, the other of Advice, to be represented by two principal Committees, into which the Commission should divide.

I. Inquiry. This branch of the Commission would again naturally subdivide itself into three stems, inquiring successively in respect of the condition and wants of the troops:

1st. What must be the condition and want of troops gathered together in such masses, so suddenly, and with such inexperience?

2d. What is their condition? a question to be settled only by direct. and positive observation and testimony.

3d. What ought to be their condition, and how would Sanitary Science bring them up to the standard of the highest attainable security and efficiency?

SUB-COMMITTEES OF BRANCH OF INQUIRY.

A. Under the first Committee's care would come the suggestion of such immediate aid, and such obvious recommendations as an intelligent foresight and an ordinary acquaintance with received principles of sanitary science would enable the Board at once to urge upon the public authorities.

B. The second Sub-Committee would have in charge, directly or through agents, the actual exploration of recruiting posts, transports, camps, quarters, tents, forts, hospitals; and consultation with officersColonels, Captains, Surgeons, and Chaplains at their posts, to collect from them needful testimony as to the condition and wants of the troops.

C. The Third Sub-Committee would investigate, theoretically and practically, all questions of dirt, cooking, and cooks; of clothing, foot, head, and body gear; of quarters, tents, booths, huts; of hospitals, field service, nurses and surgical dresses; of climate and its effects, malaria, and camp and hospital diseases and contagions; of ventilation, natural and artificial; of vaccination; antiscorbutics; disinfectants; of sinks, drains, camp sites, and cleanliness in general; of best methods of economizing and preparing rations, or changing or exchanging them. All these questions to be treated from the highest scientific ground, with the newest light of physiology, chemistry, and medicine, and the latest teachings of experience in the great continental wars.

Probably these Committees of Inquiry could convert to their use, without fee or reward, all our medical and scientific men now in the army, or elsewhere, especially by sending an efficient agent about among the regiments to establish active correspondence with surgeons, chaplains, and others, as well as by a public advertisement and call for such help and information.

II. Advice. This branch of the Commission would subdivide itself into three stems, represented by three Sub-Committees. The general object of this branch would be to get the opinions and conclusions of the Commission approved by the Medical Bureau, ordered by the War Department, carried out by the officers and men, and encouraged, aided, and supported by the benevolence of the public at large, and by the State governments. It would subdivide itself naturally into three parts.

1. A Sub-Committee, in direct relation with the Government, the Medical Bureau, and the War Department; having for its object the communication of the counsels of the Commission, and the procuring of their approval and ordering by the U. S. Government.

2. A Sub-Committee in direct relation with the army officers, medical men, the camps and hospitals, whose duty it should be to look after the actual carrying out of the orders of the War Department and the Medical Bureau, and make sure, by inspection, urgency, and explanation, by influence, and all proper methods, of their actual accomplishment.

3. A Sub-Committee in direct relation with the State governments, and with the public associations of benevolence. First, to secure uniformity of plans, and then proportion and harmony of action; and finally, abundance of supplies in moneys and goods, for such extra purposes as the laws do not and can not provide for.

SUB-COMMITTEES OF BRANCH OF ADVICE.

D. The Sub-Committee in direct relation with the Government, would immediately urge the most obvious measures, favored by the Commission on the War Department, and secure their emphatic reiteration of orders now neglected. It would establish confidential relations with the Medical Bureau. A secretary, hereafter to be named, would be the head and hand of this Sub-Committee - always near the Government, and always urging the wishes and aims of the Commission upon its attention.

E. This Sub-Committee, in direct relation with the army officers, medical men, the camps, forts, and hospitals, would have it for its duty to explain and enforce upon inexperienced, careless, or ignorant officials, the regulations of a sanitary kind ordered by the Department of War and the Medical Bureau; of complaining to the Department of disobedience, sloth, or defect, and of seeing to the general carrying out of the objects of the Commission in their practical details.

F. This Sub-Committee, in direct relation with State authorities and benevolent associations, would have for its duties to look after three chief objects.

First: How far the difficulties in the sanitary condition and prospects of the troops are due to original defects in the laws of the States or the inspection usages, or in the manner in which officers, military or medical, have been appointed in the several States, with a view to the adoption of a general system, by which the State laws may all be assimilated to the United States regulations.

This could probably only be brought about by calling a convention of delegates from the several loyal States, to agree upon some uniform system; or, that failing, by agreeing upon a model State arrangement, and sending a suitable agent to the Governors and Legislatures, with a prayer for harmonious action and cooperation.

Second: To call in New York a convention of delegates from all the benevolent associations throughout the country, to agree upon a plan of common action in respect of supplies, depots, and methods of feeding the