ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, July 15, 1868.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I hereby transmit to Congress a report, with the accompanying papers, received from the Secretary of State, in compliance with the requirements of the eighteenth section of the act entitled “An act to regulate the diplomatic and consular systems of the United States,” approved August 18, 1856.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, July 15, 1868.

To the Congress of the United States: 

I submit herewith a correspondence between the Secretary of State and Mr. Robert B. Van Valkenburgh, minister resident of the United States in Japan.  It seems to show the importance of an amendment of the law of the United States prohibiting the cooly trade.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, July 17, 1868.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit to the Senate, in compliance with its resolution of the 9th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, communicating a copy of a paper received by him to-day, purporting to be a resolution ratifying on the part of the State of Louisiana the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States known as Article XIV.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, July 18, 1868.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit to the Senate, in compliance with its resolution of the 9th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, communicating a copy of a paper received by me on the 18th instant, purporting to be a resolution of the senate and house of representatives of the State of South Carolina, ratifying the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States known as Article XIV.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 18, 1868.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

Experience has fully demonstrated the wisdom of the framers of the Federal Constitution.  Under all circumstances the result of their labors was as near an approximation to perfection as was compatible with the fallibility of man.  Such being the estimation in which the Constitution is and has ever been held by our countrymen, it is not surprising that any proposition for its alteration or amendment should be received with reluctance and distrust.  While this sentiment deserves commendation and encouragement as a useful preventive of unnecessary attempt to change its provisions, it must be conceded that time has developed imperfections and omissions in the Constitution, the reformation of which has been demanded by the best interests of the country.  Some of these have been remedied in the manner provided in the Constitution itself.  There are others which, although heretofore brought to the attention of the people, have never been so presented as to enable the popular judgment to determine whether they should be corrected by means of additional amendments.  My object in this communication is to suggest certain defects in the Constitution which seem to me to require correction, and to recommend that the judgment of the people be taken on the amendments proposed.