ed the
dismissal of the petitions filed by these claimants. There is no legal
obligation on the part of the United States, and no promise, express or
implied, for the payment of such claims.

The measure of governmental liability is fulfilled by the passage of the
act of March 3, 1891, and the prompt payment of the judgments rendered
thereunder. To single out for payment a few claims of this large class
to the exclusion of all others would, in my judgment, be unjust; and
such action would also with reason be cited as a precedent for extending
governmental aid in all similar cases.

For the reasons given I am constrained to withhold my approval from the
bill.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 7, 1901_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State in response to
the resolution of the House of Representatives of February 19, 1901,
requesting him to furnish that body "all the information in the
possession of the State Department relating to the shipment of horses
and mules from New Orleans in large numbers for the use of the British
army in the war in South Africa."

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, March 2, 1901_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I return herewith, without approval, House bill No. 321, entitled "An
act for the relief of the legal representative of Samuel Tewksbury,
deceased."

This bill provides for the payment to the legal representative of Samuel
Tewksbury, late of Scranton, Allegheny County, Pa., the sum of $5,697
in full compensation for the use and occupation by the United States
Government of the brick building and premises owned by him in the city
of Scranton, Pa., as a depot or barracks for United States troops by the
Provost Marshal of the United States from June, 1862, to June, 1865,
inclusive.

The records of the War Department show that about April 26, 1865, Col.
J.G. Johnson, Chief Quartermaster, forwarded to the office of the
Quartermaster-General a claim of Samuel Tewksbury for use of a building
at Scranton, Pa., from February 24, 1864, to February 3, 1865, Stated at
$1,133.33, and damage to said building at $1,400, total $2,533.33.

In forwarding these papers Colonel Johnson states as follows:

In the spring of 1864 Mr. Samuel Tewksbury presented to me through his
agents a claim against the United States Government for use of the
premises mentioned in the enclosed account acco