SIR: I acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 29th ultimo, transmitting House bill No. 1561 and requesting this Department to 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.
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.