John Quincy Adams: “I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of War, with documents, containing the information desired by the…”

My first and greatest inducement was to meet in the spirit of kindness and friendship an overture made in that spirit by three sister Republics of this hemisphere.

I communicate a report from the Secretary of the Navy, with documents, containing the information desired by the resolution.

I would have sent ministers to the meeting had it been merely to give them such advice as they might have desired, even with reference to their own interests, not involving ours.

It may be that in the lapse of many centuries no other opportunity so favorable will be presented to the Government of the United States to subserve the benevolent purposes of Divine Providence; to dispense the promised blessings of the…