Message

In congressional practice, a message is received, in writing, from the president of the United States, usually at the commencement of the it appears to the executive; and, at other times, when any particular information is to be communicated. Thus, a veto message is one returning a bill with the president's objections. That the president should communicate his view by writing is hot prescribed by the constitution, and probably depends on custom only. It is said that the fii'st two presidents, Washington and Adams, made oral addresses, and that Jefferson introduced the written message, which has ever since been employed. Similar messages in writing often come from the crown to the English houses of parliament. Such messages are brought either by a member of the house, being a minister of the crown, or by one of the royal household. In the lords, when there is such a message, the bearer of it, having intimated that he has a message under the royal signmanual, the lord chancellor proceeds first to read it, and then the clerk at the table reads it over again. In the commons, the member appears at the bar, and informs the speaker that he has a letter from her majesty. He then takes it to the table and presents it, upon which the speaker reads it, the members the meanwhile remaining uncovered. These forms having been gone through, the house proceed to deal with the message accordingly. May Pari. Pr. ch.

17.