The POTUS. To the Senate and HoRep: 1 submit to Congress a report of the SecyState, to whom was referred the concurrent resolution of the 15th inst ant, respecting a submission to the Legislatures o the States of an additional article to the Constitution of the U.S. It will be seen from this report that the SecyState had, on the 16th instant, transmitte to the Governors of the several States certified copies of the JtResolution passed on the 18th instant proosin an amendment to the Constitution. van in ordinary times, any question of amending the Constitution must he justl regarded as of paramount importance. This importance is at the present time enhanced by the fact that the JtResolution was not submitted by the 2 Houses for the approval of the President, and that of the 36 States which constitute the Union, 11 are excluded from representation in either House of Congress, although, with the single exception of I‘exas, they have been entirely restored to all their functions as States, in conformity with the organic law of the land, and have ap fieamd at the national capital by Senators and epresentatives who have applied for and have been refused admission to the vacant seats. Nor have the sovereign people of the nation been afforded an opportunity of expressin their views upon the important questions which the amendment involves. Grave doubts, therefore, may naturally and justly arise as to whether the action of Congress isin harmony with the sentiments of the cople, and whether State Legislatures, electe.Without reference to such an issue, should be called upon by Congress to decide respecting the ratification of the proposed amendment. I Waiving the question as to the constitutional validity of the proceedings of Congress upon the JtResolution proosing the amendment, or as to the merits of this article which it submits, through the executive dept, to the Legislatures of the States, I deem it proor to observe that the ete 5 taken by the SecyState, as detained in the accompanying report, are to be considered as purely ministerial, and in no sense whatever committing the Executive to an approval or a recommendation of the amendment to the State Legislatures or to the people. On the contrary, a proper appreciation of the letter and spirit of the Constitution, as well as of the interests of national order, harmony and union, and a due deference for an enlightened public judgment, may at this time well suggest a ougt whether any amendment to the Constitution ought to be proposed by Congress and pressed upon the Legislatures of the several States for final decision until after the admission of such loyal Sens&Reps of the now unrepresented States as have been or as may hereafter be chosen in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the U.S. ANDREWJOHNSON. Wssmuo'rou, D. C., June 22, 1866.