James Monroe

I can not regard the pressures to which I have adverted otherwise than in the light of mild and instructive admonitions.

I see much cause to rejoice in the felicity of our situation.

Among these none holds a more important place than the public revenue.

The friendly sentiment which was expressed on the part of the United States in the message of the 9th of May last is still entertained for Spain.

A few prominent facts will place this great interest in a just light before you.

On the subject of claims of citizens of the United States for Spanish spoliations upon their property and commerce.

Collected conformably to a resolution of the Senate of the 18th of January, 1819

I transmit herewith to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State

Together with the returns of causes depending in the courts of the United States

With these remarks I submit it to the wisdom of Congress whether it will not still be advisable to postpone any decision on this subject until the next session.

He admits that the other objections are essentially removed and will not in themselves prevent the ratification, provided the difficulty on the third point is surmounted.

Had the minister of Spain offered an unqualified pledge that the treaty should be ratified by his Sovereign on being made acquainted with the explanations which had been given by this Government, there would have been a strong motive for…

In regard to the stipulation proposed as the condition of the ratification of the treaty, that the United States shall abandon the right to recognize the revolutionary colonies in South America, or to form other relations with them when in…

Unexpected as such complaints and such a demand were under existing circumstances, it was thought proper, without compromitting the Government as to the course to be pursued, to meet them promptly and to give the explanations that were…

It appears, however, that the treaty is still unratified and that the minister has no authority to surrender the territory.

I am the more induced to suggest this course of proceeding from a knowledge that, while we shall thereby make a just return to the powers whose good offices have been acknowledged, and increase by a new and signal proof of moderation our…

Under such circumstances the attention of the Spanish Government may be diverted from its foreign concerns, and the arrival of a minister here be longer delayed.

The distress of that nation at this juncture affords a motive for this forbearance which can not fail to be duly appreciated.

On full consideration of all these circumstances, I have thought it my duty to submit to Congress whether it will not be advisable to postpone a decision on the questions now depending with Spain until the next session.

I transmit to the Senate a report from the Secretary of the Treasury, which, with the documents accompanying it, will afford all the information required.

For the attainment of these objects I submit the subject to the consideration of Congress, that a sum adequate to the expenses attending such treaty may be appropriated should Congress deem it expedient.

I transmit to Congress a report from the Secretary of the Treasury, which, with the accompanying documents, will shew that the act of the 20th May, 1812, respecting the northern and western boundaries of the State of Ohio, has been…

I transmit to the Senate copies of sundry papers having relation to the treaty of 22d February, 1819, between the United States and Spain.

I now transmit a report from the Secretary of War, which, with the accompanying documents, contains all the information that can be furnished on the subject.

I now transmit to the House a report from the Secretary of War, to whom the said resolution was referred, which, with the documents accompanying it, contains all the information required.