Andrew Johnson: “I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, in answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives of…”

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.

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.

With these brief suggestions the bill is respectfully returned, and the consideration of Congress invited to the accompanying preamble and resolutions.

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