ks, and the whites in
many of the States requiring as much protection as the blacks, I would
very willingly vote for the bill if I thought we had the power to pass
it; but on the question of power I have no disposition now or perhaps
at any time in the present stage of the bill to trouble the Senate."

The bill soon after passed the Senate as amended in the House, and
reaemended in the Senate, by a vote of twenty-nine to seven.

On the following day, the amendments of the Senate were concurred in
by the House without debate, and the Freedmen's Bureau Bill was ready
to be submitted to the Executive.

Ten day's after the final passage of the bill, the President sent to
the Senate a message, "with his objection thereto in writing."

The Senate immediately suspended other business to hear the VETO
MESSAGE, which was read by the Secretary, as follows:

"_To the Senate of the United States:_

"I have examined with care the bill which originated in the
Senate, and has been passed by the two houses of Congress,
to amend an act entitled 'An act to establish a Bureau for
the relief of Freedmen and Refugees,' and for other
purposes. Having, with much regret, come to the conclusion
that it would not be consistent with the public welfare to
give my approval to the measure, I return the bill to the
Senate with my objections to its becoming a law.

"I might call to mind, in advance of these objections, that
there is no immediate necessity for the proposed measure.
The act to establish a Bureau for the relief of Freedmen and
Refugees, which was approved in the month of March last, has
not yet expired. It was thought stringent and extensive
enough for the purpose in view in time of war. Before it
ceases to have effect, further experience may assist to
guide us to a wise conclusion as to the policy to be adopted
in time of peace.

"I share with Congress the strongest desire to secure to the
freedmen the full enjoyment of their freedom and property,
and their entire independence and equality in making
contracts for their labor; but the bill before me contains
provisions which, in my opinion, are not warranted by the
Constitution, and are not well suited to accomplish the end
in view.

"The bill proposes to establish by authority of Congress,
military jurisdiction over all parts of the United St