The POTUS. To the Senate and HoRep: I submit to Congress a report of the Score taryof State, to whom was referred the concur ‘rent resolution of the 18th instant respecting a submissionto the Legislatures of the States of anadditioual article to the Constitution of the U.S. It will be seen from this report that the SecyState had, on the 16th instant, transmitted to the Governors of the several States certified copies of the JtResolution passed on the 13th instant proposing an amendment to the Constitution. Even in ordinary times any question of amending the Constitution must be justly regarded as of paramount importance. This importance is at the present time enhanced by the fact that the JtResolution was not sub mitted 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 Texas, they have been entirely restored to all their functions as States ’in conformity with the organic law of the land, and have a cured at the national capital by Senators an liopresentatives, 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 exressing their views upon the important questions which the place hmendment involves. Grave doubts, therefore, mayo naturally and justly arise as to whether the action of Congress is in harmony with the sentiments of the people, and whether State Legislatures, elected without reference to such an issue, should be called upon by Congress to decide respecting the ratification of the pro. posed amendment. Waiving the question as to the constitutional validity of the proceedings of Congress upon the JtResolution prousing the amendment, or as to the merits of the article which it submite through the executive dept to the Legislatures of the States, I deem it proper to observe that the ste s taken by the SecyState, as detailedp 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 judgent, may at this time well suggest a doubt whether any amendment to the Constitution ought to be proposed by Congress and pressed upon the I‘Jegislatures of the several States for final decision until after the admission of such loyal Senators nd Representatives of the now unrepresente States as have been, or as may hereafter be, chosen in conformit with the Constitution and laws of the 'U.S. ANDREWJOHNSON. WASHINGTON, D. C., June 22, 1866. 1b the president. 0 The SecyState. to whom was referred.the concurrent resolution of the 2 Housesof Congress of the 18th instant. in the followiri words “that the POTUS 0 requested to transmit forthwith to the Executives of the several States of the U.S.copies of the article of amendment proposed by Congressto the State Legislatures, to amend the Constitution of the U.S., passed Juno 13.186 r6es. pectingcltileiiship, the vba.8li1d8it9yroetprtchseepnutba the condistqoufatlhi the U.S. e.&suod. to the end that the said States may proceed to act upon the 5th article of amendment, and that he request the Excuutive of each State that may ratify said amendment to transmit to the SecyState a certified copy of such ratification" has the honor to submit the following report, namely, that on the 16th instant. lion. AIASA Cons. of the Committee of the HoRep on Enrolled Bills. bronchi to this Dept and deposited therein, an pnrolled resolution of the two Housesof Cong'ress, which was thereupon received by the SecyState and deposited among the rolls of the Dept, a copy ofwhirh is hereunto annexed. Thereupon the SecyState, on the 16thin stant. in conformity with the proceeding which was adopted by him in lSlia.in regard to the then proposed and afterwardado ted congressionalamendmentof the Constitution of the U.S., concerningthe prohibition of slavery. transmitted certified copies. of the annexed resolution to the Governors of the several States together with a certificateand circular letter. A copy of both of these communicationsis he Respectfully exed. Submitted WILLIAM usnwsao. Duran rusnr or Sn'rs. V/lsnmo'ros. June 20, 1866.