Andrew Johnson: “This is the only mode by which collisions with other tribes and with the whites can be avoided and the safety of our…”

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.

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

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.

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.