James Monroe: “The auspicious circumstances under which you will commence the duties of the present session will lighten the burdens…”

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

I transmit to the Senate a convention, signed by the plenipotentiaries of the United States and of the Republic of Colombia at Bogota on the 10th of December, 1824, together with the documents appertaining to the negotiation of the same…

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.

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