inflicted in a different form for the same offense.  With great respect I am constrained to say I think this feature of the act is unconstitutional.  It would not be difficult to modify it.

  I may remark that this provision of the Constitution, put in language
  borrowed from Great Britain, applies only in this country to real or
  landed estate.

Again, this act, by proceedings in rem, forfeits property for the ingredients of treason without a conviction of the supposed criminal or a personal hearing given him in any proceeding.  That we may not touch property lying within our reach because we can not give personal notice to an owner who is absent endeavoring to destroy the Government is certainly not very satisfactory.  Still, the owner may not be thus engaged; and I think a reasonable time should be provided for such parties to appear and have personal hearings.  Similar provisions are not uncommon in connection with proceedings in rem.

  For the reasons stated, I return the bill to the House, in which it
  originated.

JULY 17, 1862.

Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I have inadvertently omitted so long to inform you that in March last Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt, of New York, gratuitously presented to the United States the ocean steamer Vanderbilt, by many esteemed the finest merchant ship in the world.  She has ever since been and still is doing valuable service to the Government.  For the patriotic act in making this magnificent and valuable present to the country, I recommend that some suitable acknowledgment be made.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

VETO MESSAGES.

JUNE 23, 1862.

To the Senate of the United States: 

The bill which has passed the House of Representatives and the Senate entitled “An act to repeal that part of an act of Congress which prohibits the circulation of bank notes of a less denomination than $5 in the District of Columbia” has received my attentive consideration, and I now return it to the Senate, in which it originated, with the following objections: 

1.  The bill proposes to repeal the existing legislation prohibiting the circulation of bank notes of a less denomination than $5 within the District of Columbia without permitting the issuing of such bills by banks not now legally authorized to issue them.  In my judgment it will be found impracticable in the present condition of the currency to make such a discrimination.  The banks have generally suspended specie payments, and a legal sanction given to the circulation of the irredeemable notes of one class of them will almost certainly be so extended in practical operation as to include those of all classes, whether authorized or unauthorized.  If this view be correct, the currency of the District, should this act become a law, will certainly and greatly deteriorate, to the serious injury of honest trade and honest labor.