James Monroe: “An attempt has been made with the Government of France to regulate by treaty the commerce between the two countries on…”

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

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.

It belongs to Congress alone to terminate this distressing incident on just principles, with a view to the highest interests of our Union.

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.