Special Message
12/16/1819
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
Sensible of what I owed to my country, I felt strongly the obligation of observing the utmost impartiality in selecting ...
To discriminate between men of acknowledged merit, especially in a way to affect so sensibly and materially their feelin...
I am of opinion that Congress do not possess this power; that the States individually cannot grant it.
I transmit herewith to Congress copies of letters received at the Department of State from the minister of Great Britain...