Andrew Johnson: “The Union and the Constitution are inseparable.”

Feeling constrained to withhold my consent, I herewith return the resolution to the Senate, in which House it originated, with a brief statement of the reasons which have induced my action.

I transmit herewith, in answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 16th of December last, a report from the Secretary of State of the 6th instant.

No power exists in the Constitution authorizing the joint resolution or the supposed law--the only difference being that one would be more palpably unconstitutional and revolutionary than the other.

Strongly impressed with the truth of these views, I feel called upon by an imperative sense of duty to revive substantially the recommendation so often and so earnestly made by President Jackson.