This subject is now submitted for the consideration of the Senate.

By adopting that measure the United States will be in the exercise of an undoubted right.

The restrictions laid upon the power to transfer by the latter clauses of the act have rendered its passage of no avail at the present moment.

I would suggest the propriety of the passage of such an act without delay.

I shall be permitted to exchange congratulations with you, gentlemen of the two Houses of Congress, on these auspicious circumstances.

I recommend that at your present session you adopt such measures in order to carry into effect the Smithsonian bequest.

It can not be too often repeated that the prominent interest of every important pursuit of life requires for success permanency and stability in legislation.

As preparatory, therefore, to entering once more upon the high duties of legislation, it becomes us humbly to acknowledge our dependence upon Him as our guide and protector.

But his suggestions and projects respecting the anticipated propositions of the delegates and his views of their personal characters can not in any event aid the legislation of Congress, and in my opinion the promulgation of them would be unfair and unjust to him and inconsistent with the public interest, and they are therefore not transmitted.

The treaty has thus become the law of the land by the express advice of the Senate, given in the most solemn manner known to its proceedings.

It was impossible to read the bill understandingly and with proper deliberation before the hour fixed for the adjournment of the two Houses.

It is exceedingly to be regretted that a necessity should ever exist for such suspension in the case of bills of great importance, and therefore demanding careful consideration.

This rule was evidently designed to give to the President a reasonable opportunity of perusing important acts of Congress and giving them some degree of consideration before signing or returning the same.

My convictions are most strong that these benefits would flow from the adoption of this measure; but if the result should be adverse there is this security in connection with it--that the law creating it may be repealed at the pleasure of the Legislature without the slightest implication of its good faith.

If in assigning my objections to the bill I had so far forgotten what was due to the House of Representatives as to impugn its motives in passing the bill, I should owe, not only to that House, but to the country, the most profound apology.

The exercise of some independence of judgment in regard to all acts of legislation is plainly implied in the responsibility of approving them.

Surely if the pause for reflection intended by the wise authors of the Constitution by referring the subject back to Congress for reconsideration be ever expedient and necessary it is precisely such a case as the present.

After all, the effect of what I do is substantially to call on Congress to reconsider the subject.