James Monroe: “I lay before the Senate a report made by the Secretary of State on the 1st instant in relation to that subject.”

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.

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

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

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