James Monroe: “Should they be landed without such provision having been previously made, they might perish.”

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.

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…