"On no principle known to our institutions can he be required to account for the manner in which he discharges this portion of his public duties, save only in the mode and under the forms prescribed by the Constitution."
"Their continued repetition imposes on me, as the representative and trustee of the American people, the painful but imperious duty of resisting to the utmost any further encroachment on the rights of ..."
"Such a result, if acquiesced in, would ultimately subject the independent constitutional action of the Executive in a matter of great national concernment to the domination and control of the Senate."
"If the President has in his possession any information on the subject of such frauds, it is his duty to communicate it to Congress."
"The intimation that these charges may also be necessary 'to the investigation now in progress respecting frauds in the sales of public lands' is still more insufficient to authorize the present call."
"I therefore decline a compliance with so much of the resolution of the Senate as requests 'copies of the charges, if any,' in relation to Mr. Fitz."
"In doing so, however, I deem proper to state that whenever any communication shall be received exhibiting any change in the condition of the business referred to in the resolution information will be ..."
"Being of opinion that the residue of the dispatches of that minister can not at present be laid before the House consistently with the public interest, I decline transmitting them."
"It will be perceived that the paper herewith transmitted contains no information whatever as to the discounting of notes or bills of exchange for the account and benefit of the member of the Senate na..."
"I had occasion to state the objections to requests of this nature, and to vindicate in this respect the constitutional rights of the executive department."
"In compliance with the resolution of the House of the 8th instant, requesting 'copies of every circular or letter of instruction emanating from the Treasury or War Departments since the 30th day of Ju..."