Grover Cleveland: “It is perfectly clear that the only pretexts for giving this claimant a pension are military service, old age, and…”

To the Senate and House of Representatives:I transmit herewith, for the information of the Congress, a communication from the Secretary of State, covering the report of the Director of the Bureau of the American Republics for the year 1896.

I do hereby make known and proclaim that there is hereby reserved from entry or settlement and set apart as a public reservation all those certain tracts, pieces, or parcels of land lying and being situate in the State of Montana.

A departure from this rule, even in aid of cases of hardship, can not fail to establish precedents inviting the abandonment of reasonable and justifiable pension theories.

I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, submitting a list of the claims filed in the Department of State by citizens of the United States against Spain.