Mr. BROMWELL. I ask leave to offer a JtResolution declaring the power of amending the Constitution, and I ask that it be read. The JtResolution was read, and is as follows: Be it resolved by the Senate and HoRep, of the U.S.A. in Congress assembled, That whereas the Constitution of the U.S. that Qongress, whenever 2/3rds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments t, o the Constitution which when ratified by the Legislatures of 3/4ths o the States, shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution; and whereas the number of the States lawfully entitled to representation in the Congress of the U.S. is 26; and whereas the several States of Virginia, Mississippi NCarolina Alabama SCarolina, a, GeAorrkgaian, saFsl, oridan Texas did attempt, by acts of secession from the Union and by confederating with each other, to form a separate government foreign to the U.S and by war upon the government of the U.S. to wholly separate themselves severally and collectively from the U.S., and did openly by such acts of secession, confederation, and war deny all allegiance to the Government of the U.S., and did by their several Legislatures and by their several conventions called for that purpose, and by their several Governors and by their judiciaries, and by the ratification of their people respect ively, engage ian commoncause to wholly subvert the power, and authority of the U.S. through out all their several limits; and did by their governors, Legislatures, and people make war against the U.S., and continue said war, acting as a belligerent power, until finally overthrown as power such by the military force of the U.S. in open war, and by that means only did take undisputed Pg.” of the territory embraced in said seyeral States, and has from, thence hitherto maintained and still maintains military occupation of territory; said and whereas by means of the premises the said several States were left at the close of said war without civil government, and no governments have as yet been formed in any of said States by or with the consent of Congress; and whereas, to participate in altering or amending the Constitution of the Union can only be done by States of the Union, and is the discharge of the highest function possible in a State of the Union a function derived wholly from its status in the Union: Therefore, Resolved. That in, ratifying, amendments to the Constitution of the U.S., as well those now : as those which may hereafter be proposed y Congress, the said several States are not entitled to any vote, and are wholly incapable either of accepting or rejecting any such amendment, so as to bind thereby the loyal States of the Union, until they shall seyerally be restored to their former relation to the Union, in full power and competency as States of the Union, by consent of the U.S. through the Congress thereof; and that when any amendment to the Constitution, proposed by the Congress of the U.S., shall be adopted by 3/4ths of the States recognized by the congress as lawfully entitled to do so, and shall haye ratified in due form of law any amendment of the Constitution by Congress proposed, the same shall becomethereby a part of the Constitution, and shall be so recognized by all the depts of this Government.