This claimant filed his application for pension in 1879, alleging that in 1837, being then an enlisted man in the United States Army, he received a gunshot wound in his right leg below the knee at the battle of Okeechobee Lake, Florida.

The records disclose the fact that this soldier enlisted in 1834, and was almost continuously in the service and attached to the same company until 1846.

It further appears that he is reported sick during the month in which the battle was fought.  The list of casualties does not contain his name among the wounded.

He reenlisted in 1846 and again in 1847, and was finally discharged in 1848.  These latter enlistments were for service in the Mexican War.

His claim for pension was denied in 1885 on the ground that no disability existed in a pensionable degree from the alleged gunshot wound in his leg.

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

Inasmuch as he was a soldier in the Mexican War, his case is undoubtedly provided for by a general law approved within the last few days.

Under this bill the amount to be paid him is fixed, while if the bill herewith returned were approved the sum to be paid him would depend upon the determination of the Pension Bureau as to the extent of his disability as the result of his wound.  As that Bureau has quite lately determined that there was no disability, it is evident that this old soldier can better rely upon the general law referred to.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 3, 1887.

To the House of Representatives: 

I herewith return without approval House bill No. 6132, entitled “An act granting a pension to William Lynch.”

The claimant mentioned in this bill enlisted in the Fifth Regiment United States Infantry in 1849, and was discharged, after a reenlistment, September 8, 1859.

He filed a claim for pension more than twenty-four years afterwards, in April, 1884, claiming that he contracted rheumatism of the right hip and leg in the winter of 1857-58, while serving in Utah.  He admitted that he was not under treatment while in the service and that he never consulted a physician in regard to his disability until he commenced proceedings for a pension.

The evidence disclosed to me falls far short of establishing this claim for pension upon its merits.

The application made to the Pension Bureau is still pending and awaiting answer to inquiries made by the Bureau in January, 1886.

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

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 4, 1887.

To the House of Representatives: 

I hereby return without approval House bill No. 7698, entitled “An act granting a pension to Robert K. Bennett.”