House of Representatives.
By a Joint Resolution of your Honorable bodies, approved December 23. 1863. the paying of bounties to veteran volunteers, as now practiced by the War Department, is, to the extent of three hundred dollars in each case, prohibited after this fifth day of the present month. I transmit, for your consideration, a communication from the Secretary of War, accompanied by one from the Provost-Marshal-General to him, both relating to the subject above mentioned. I earnestly recommend that the law be so modified as to allow bounties to be paid as they now are, at least until the ensuing first day of February.
I am not without anxiety lest I appear to be importunate, in thus re-calling your attention to a subject upon which you have so recently acted; and nothing but a deep conviction that the public interest demands it, could induce me to incur the hazard of being misunderstood on this point. The executive approval was given by me to the Resolution mentioned; and it is now, by a closer attention, and a fuller knowledge of facts, that I feel constrained to recommend a re-consideration of the subject.
January 5. 1864. ABRAHAM LINCOLN