I withhold my assent from this bill because, if the facts before me... are true, the allowance of this claim would, in my opinion, be a travesty upon our whole scheme of pensions and an insult to every decent veteran soldier.

I herewith return without approval House bill No. 6825, entitled 'An act granting a pension to James R. Baylor.'

It is perfectly clear that the only pretexts for giving this claimant a pension are military service, old age, and poverty.

I do not understand that the Congress intends to pass special acts in cases thus situated.

No convention whatever has been 'agreed to and ratified' by 'the President and Senate.'

It will be gratifying to all who appreciate the generous and humane action of Congress in providing for the testimonials.

The report is interesting alike to the people of the United States and to the subjects of Russia.

It is hereby ordered that the following-described lands in the State of California, being part of the lands restored to the public domain by Executive order dated March 22, 1886, be, and the same are hereby, withdrawn from sale and set…

It is hereby further ordered that the following-described lands... be, and the same are hereby, restored to the public domain.

It is entirely certain that the special act now presented to me would give the claimant no new rights or additional benefits.

I hereby return without approval Senate bill No. 2173, entitled 'An act granting a pension to Benjamin Obekiah.'

To the Senate of the United States: In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 21st ultimo, calling for certain correspondence touching the construction of a ship canal through Nicaragua, I transmit herewith a report from the…

I transmit herewith, with a view to its ratification, a draft of declaration explanatory of Articles II and IV of the convention for the protection of submarine cables.

I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, in answer to the resolution of the Senate of December 8, 1886, relative to the claims of Antonio Pelletier and A. H. Lazare against the Republic of Hayti.

I transmit herewith a communication of the 7th ultimo from the Secretary of the Interior.

The matter is presented for the consideration of Congress.

To the House of Representatives: I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, inclosing statement of customs duties levied by foreign nations upon the produce and manufactures of the United States.

I nominate James C. Matthews, of New York, to be recorder of deeds in the District of Columbia, in the place of Frederick Douglass, resigned.