EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 30, 1875_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I have the honor to return herewith House bill No. 4462, entitled
"An act for the relief of Alexander Burtch," from which I withhold
my approval for the reasons given in the accompanying letter of the
Secretary of War.

U.S. GRANT.

WAR DEPARTMENT, _Washington City, January 28, 1875_.

The PRESIDENT.

SIR: I have the honor to return House bill No. 4462, "for the relief of
Alexander Burtch."

It appears from the records of this office that Alexander Burtch,
Company H, First Indiana Artillery, enlisted July 24, 1861, for three
years, reenlisted as a veteran January 1, 1864, and deserted at Fort
Gaines, Ala., September 25, 1865, and was a deserter at large at date
of muster-out of his company, January 10, 1866.

This Department emphatically objects to this bill becoming a law upon
the ground of its great injustice to every soldier who served honorably
until his services were no longer required by the Government.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. W. BELKNAP,

_Secretary of War_.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 12, 1875_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I have the honor to return herewith House bill No. 2352, entitled
"An act granting a pension to Lewis Hinely," from which I withhold
my approval for the reasons given in the accompanying letter of the
Secretary of the Interior.

U.S. GRANT.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, _Washington, February 11, 1875_.

The PRESIDENT.

SIR: I have the honor to return herewith House bill No. 2352, "granting
a pension to Lewis Hinely."

I am informed by the Commissioner of Pensions that the act does not
designate the person for whose benefit it was passed. His true name, as
verified by his own signature to papers on file in the Pension Office,
is Louis Heinlig, and as there were several soldiers in the company and
regiment named in the act whose names are similar to that specified
therein, a correction appears to be necessary in order that the
beneficiary of the act may be properly identified should the bill
become a law.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. DELANO, _Secretary_.

WASHINGTON, _March 3, 1875_.

_To the House of Representatives_:[92]

House bill No. 3341[93] is herewith returned without my approval, for
the reasons, first, that it appropriates from the Treasury a large sum
of money at a time when the r