James Monroe: “Through the whole of this contest the United States have remained neutral, and have fulfilled with the utmost…”

Upon the subject of the capture and detention of American fishermen the past season in the Bay of Fundy

The attitude assumed by the State formed a case which was not contemplated by the existing laws of the United States relating to militia services.

That the regulation should be made by Congress is the more necessary from the consideration that this being the seat of the Government, its protection against such diseases must form one of its principal objects.

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretary of State, containing the information called for by their resolution of the 1st of this month, touching the capture and detention of American fishermen during the last…