James Monroe: “Sensible of what I owed to my country, I felt strongly the obligation of observing the utmost impartiality in selecting…”

I transmit to the House of Representatives a further report from the Secretary of State

The exposure being common to the whole District, the regulation should apply to the whole, to make which Congress alone possesses the adequate power.

To remove all doubt on the subject, I submit to the consideration of Congress the propriety of passing a declaratory act to that effect.

From the view which I have taken of these reports I contemplate results of incalculable advantage to our Union