Andrew Johnson: “Instead of being, as it ought to be, a source of wealth and power, it will become an intolerable burden upon the rest of…”

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

The foregoing views have long been entertained by me.

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.

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