Andrew Johnson: “Until further orders from the President, you will assign no officer to the permanent command of the Military Division of…”

I transmit the accompanying communications from the Secretary of the Interior, together with the papers to which they have reference.

In compliance with and execution of the act of Congress before mentioned, do issue this my proclamation, announcing the fact of the ratification of the said amendment by the legislature of the State of Louisiana.

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

The foregoing views have long been entertained by me.