All this legislation proceeds upon the contrary assumption that the people of each of these States shall have no constitution except such as may be arbitrarily dictated by Congress and formed under the restraint of military rule.

A letter of the Secretary of the Interior and a copy of a letter of Hon. Lewis V. Bogy, special commissioner, of the 20th instant, explanatory of the said treaty, are also herewith transmitted.

I herewith lay before the Senate, for its constitutional action thereon, a treaty concluded on the 19th of March, 1867, between the United States and the Chippewa tribe of Indians of the Mississippi.

To the House of Representatives: I transmit to the House of Representatives, in answer to their resolution of the 18th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, with its accompanying papers.

I transmit to the House of Representatives, in answer to their resolution of the 18th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, with an accompanying paper.

To the Senate of the United States: I transmit to the Senate, in further answer to their resolution of the 31st of January last, a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents.

I herewith lay before the Senate, for its constitutional action thereon, a treaty concluded in this city on the 23d instant (ultimo) between the United States and the following tribes of Indians, viz: The Senecas, the confederated Senecas…

A letter of the Secretary of the Interior of the 6th instant and a copy of a communication from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs of the 2d instant, explanatory of the said treaty, are also herewith transmitted.

A letter of the Secretary of the Interior of the 25th instant (ultimo) and a copy of a communication from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs of the 19th instant (ultimo), explanatory of the said treaty, are also herewith transmitted.

I herewith lay before the Senate, for its constitutional action thereon, a treaty concluded this day between the United States and the chiefs and headmen of the Kickapoo tribe of Indians.

I herewith lay before the Senate, for its constitutional action thereon, a treaty concluded on the 2d March, 1866, between the United States and the Shawnee tribe of Indians of Kansas.

I herewith lay before the Senate, for its constitutional action thereon, a treaty concluded in this city on the 15th instant (ultimo) between the United States and the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes of Indians.

A letter of the Secretary of the Interior of the 26th instant (ultimo) and a copy of a letter of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs of the 25th instant (ultimo), explanatory of said treaty, are also herewith transmitted.

The powers of departmental commanders are hereby delegated to the above-named district commanders.

It should induce us to pause in a course of legislation which, looking solely to the attainment of political ends, fails to consider the rights it transgresses, the law which it violates, or the institutions which it imperils.

The history of the world has been written in vain if it does not teach us that unrestrained authority can never be safely trusted in human hands.

For these reasons I return the bill to the Senate, in which House it originated, for the further consideration of Congress which the Constitution prescribes.

I submit to Congress whether this measure is not in its whole character, scope, and object without precedent and without authority.