Andrew Johnson: “I transmit a report from the Secretary of State and the papers accompanying it”

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

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.

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