Andrew Johnson: “He who is opposed to the restoration of this government and the reunion of the States, is as great a traitor as Jeff.…”

I would therefore recommend such an amendment of the Constitution as may remove all intermediate agency in the election of the President and Vice-President.

The danger of a defeat of the popular choice in an election by the House of Representatives is no greater than in an election made nominally by the people themselves.

My object in this communication is to suggest certain defects in the Constitution which seem to me to require correction.

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.