report whether any objections to its becoming a law are known to exist.

In reply I have the honor to state that I am fearful that the act is not
sufficiently definite in terms to accomplish the end desired, namely,
the mere transfer of the custody of said trust funds, enabling this
Department to receive the interest from the custodian and apply it as
heretofore without the intervention of Congress. The nature of the
guardianship and control over the Indians exercised by me as Secretary
and trustee is such as to require this Department to keep an account of
the funds to their credit or held in trust for them, and to receive the
interest on their trust funds promptly when due. I am fearful that this
bill may not allow me to do so, and to guard against any danger of
embarrassment in the transaction of this business I inclose a draft of
a bill[112] which, if substituted for the one already passed, will, it is
believed, obviate the difficulties which may arise if the present bill
should become a law.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. CHANDLER, _Secretary_.

[Footnote 112: Omitted.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 27, 1876_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I have the honor to return herewith without my approval the bill (H.R.
No. 83) entitled "An act for the relief of James A. Hile, of Lewis
County, Mo.," for the reasons set forth in the accompanying
communication of the Secretary of War.

U.S. GRANT.

WAR DEPARTMENT, _Washington City, March 25, 1876_.

The PRESIDENT.

SIR: I have the honor to return act H.R. 83, with the following report
from the Adjutant-General:

"It appears from the records of this office that James A. Hile, private
Company F, Twenty-first Missouri Volunteers, enlisted July 15, 1861;
deserted June 14, 1862; returned August 2, 1862; was restored to duty
by special order No. 38, headquarters District of Columbus, Department
of Tennessee, dated Columbus, Ky., February 26, 1863. He reenlisted
February 28, 1864, as a veteran volunteer; was tried by general
court-martial for absence without leave from November 25, 1864, to
December 13, 1864, and sentenced to forfeit all pay and allowances for
time absent by general order No. 48, headquarters Second Division,
Sixteenth Army Corps, dated May 22, 1865.

"On the muster-out roll of company dated April 19, 1866, he is reported,
'Deserted March 1, 1866, at Bladen Springs, Ala.'

"This man, in his application to this office for