was an insurance the effect
of this bill, if it became a law, might be to except Mr. Jussen from the
operation of the general rule established by the proviso of the act of
May 27, 1872. If such exception be proper, it should not be confined to
an individual case, but extended to all. If there was an insurance, this
bill would relieve Mr, Jussen from the liability with which it is very
doubtful if his successor could be legally charged, or with which he
ought to be charged.

U.S. GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 22, 1873_.

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SIR: I herewith return to the House of Representatives, in which it
originated, H.R. No. 630, entitled "An act in relation to new trials
in the Court of Claims," without my approval.

The object of the bill is to reduce from two years to six months the
time in which a new trial, upon motion of the United States, may be
granted in the Court of Claims.

Great difficulties are now experienced in contesting fraudulent and
unjust claims against the Government prosecuted in said court, and the
effect of this bill, if it becomes a law, will be to increase those
difficulties. Persons sue in this court generally with the advantage
of a personal knowledge of the circumstances of the case, and are
prompted by personal interest to activity in its preparation for trial,
which consists sometimes in the production of false testimony and the
suppression of the truth, while the United States are dependent for
defense upon such inquiries as the officers of the Government, generally
strangers to the transaction, are enabled to make, not infrequently in
remote parts of the country and among those not averse to depredations
upon the National Treasury. Instances have occurred where the existing
opportunities for a new trial have enabled the Government to discover
and defeat claims that ought not to have been allowed, after judgments
thereon had been rendered by the Court of Claims.

By referring to the act which it is proposed to modify it will be seen
that the payment of judgments recovered is not necessarily suspended
for two years; but where the proofs are doubtful or suspicious the
Government may appeal to the Supreme Court, and in the meantime may
avail itself of any discovery or revelation of new evidence touching
the facts of the case.

I fail to see the necessity or advantages of the proposed change in
the law, and whatever may be the purposes of the b