Andrew Johnson: “I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, in answer to the 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.

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.

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