The President's words made a deep impression on Congress.

Mr.Boutwell saw in them a deadly intent "which provokes and demands the exercise of the highest and gravest duty of this House"-- meaning that the President should be impeached.

Mr.Randall of Pennsylvania taunted Mr.Boutwell with the declaration that all the talk of impeachment was "mere bluster;" while Mr.Thaddeus Stevens, though believing that Mr.Johnson deserved impeachment, considered it "a vain and futile thing." "There are," said he, "unseen agencies at work, invisible powers operating everywhere in the country, which will protect a man like Johnson when called upon." Debate, however, was very brief, and the House passed the bill over the veto by _ayes_ 108, _noes_ 25.

In the Senate there was no discussion whatever on the President's message, that body being content to pass the bill against his objections by 30 _ayes_ to 6 _noes_.
The Senate and the House were both ready to adjourn on the 20th of July, but Mr.Sumner, Mr.Howard of Michigan, and others of the most radical type in both branches, desired that Congress might remain in session for the summer and autumn, or at least have such short vacations as would practically amount to a continuous session.

Their object was to keep constant watch of the course of the Administration and be at all times ready to neutralize its evil purpose.