Putnam Investments
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
February 4, 2000
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
RE: Putnam U.S. Government Income Trust (Reg. No. 2-87634) (811-3897)
(the "Fund") Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registration Statement on
Form N-1A
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Rule 497(j) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Fund hereby certifies that the form of Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information that would have been filed on behalf of the Fund pursuant to
Rule 497(c) upon the effectiveness of Post-Effective Amendment No.19 to the
Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the "Amendment") would not have
differed from that contained in the Amendment, which is the most recent
amendment to such Registration Statement and was filed electronically on
January 27, 2000.
Comments or questions concerning this certificate may be directed to
Jill Grossberg at 1-800-225-2465, ext. 11913.
Very truly yours,
Putnam U.S. Government Income Trust
/s/ Gordon H. Silver
By: ------------------------------
Gordon H. Silver
Vice President
cc: David Coombs, Esq.
