that where contractors have unlimited time to complete
any given work they consult their own convenience, and not the public
good. Should Congress deem it proper to amend the present bill in such
manner as to fix the date for the completion of the work to be done by
any date between December 1 and the close of my official term, it will
receive my approval.

U.S. GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _August 15, 1876_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

For the reasons stated in the accompanying communication, submitted to
me by the Acting Secretary of the Interior, I have the honor to return
herewith without my approval Senate bill No. 779, entitled "An act to
provide for the sale of a portion of the reservation of the confederated
Otoe and Missouria and the Sacs and Foxes of the Missouri tribes of
Indians, in the States of Kansas and Nebraska."

U.S. GRANT.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, _Washington, D.C., August 14, 1876_.

The PRESIDENT.

SIR: I have the honor to return herewith the bill (S. No. 779) entitled
"An act to provide for the sale of a portion of the reservation of the
confederated Otoe and Missouria and the Sacs and Foxes of the Missouri
tribes of Indians, in the States of Kansas and Nebraska," and to invite
your attention to the inclosed copy of a letter this day addressed to me
by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, stating that the bill, in his
opinion, should not become a law.

I fully concur in the opinion expressed by the Commissioner, and for the
reasons stated in his letter do not feel at liberty to recommend your
approval of the bill. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your
obedient servant,

CHAS. T. GORHAM, _Acting Secretary_.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,

_Washington, D.C., August 14, 1876_.

The HONORABLE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

SIR: I have the honor to return herewith, in accordance with your verbal
request, a bill entitled "An act to provide for the sale of a portion of
the reservation of the confederated Otoe and Missouria and the Sacs and
Foxes of the Missouri tribes of Indians, in the States of Kansas and
Nebraska," with my views thereon, the same having passed both Houses of
Congress and now awaits the approval of the President.

Your attention is respectfully invited to the act of June 10, 1872 (17
U.S. Statutes at Large, p. 391), which provides for the sale of these
reservations, or a portion of them. The whole of both t