I, James Madison. President of the United States, do issue this my proclamation, exhorting all the good people thereof to unite their hearts and hands in giving effect to the ample means possessed for that purpose.

On an occasion which appeals so forcibly to the proud feelings and patriotic devotion of the American people none will forget what they owe to themselves, what they owe to their country and the high destinies which await it.

Whereas advantage has been taken of the loss of a fort more immediately guarding the neighboring town of Alexandria to place the town within the range of a naval force too long and too much in the habit of abusing its superiority wherever…

hereby requiring the respective Senators and Representatives then and there to assemble in Congress, in order to receive such communications as may then be made to them and to consult and determine on such measures as in their wisdom may…

I recommend also, as a more effectual safeguard and encouragement to our growing manufactures, that the additional duties on imports which are to expire at the end of one year after a peace with Great Britain be prolonged to the end of two…

I recommend a suitable provision for them.

The deplorable situation of the savages thrown by the same event on the mercy and humanity of the American commander at Detroit drew from the same source the means of saving them from perishing by famine.

The necessity imposed by the conduct of the enemy in relation to the savages of admitting their cooperation in some instances with our arms has also involved occasional expense in supplying their wants.

It is possible that a perseverance of the enemy in their cruel policy may render a further expense for the like purpose inevitable.

To shorten as much as possible the duration of the war it is indispensable that the enemy should feel all the pressure that can be given to it.

To remedy as much as possible these evils, I recommend: That an effectual embargo on exports be immediately enacted.

Even the fleets and troops infesting our coasts and waters are by like supplies accommodated and encouraged in their predatory and incursive warfare.

To these abuses it may be added that illegal importations are openly made with advantage to the violators of the law.

That all violations of the nonimportation act be subjected to adequate penalties.

The tendency of our commercial and navigation laws in their present state to favor the enemy and thereby prolong the war is more and more developed by experience.

Supplies of the most essential kinds find their way not only to British ports and British armies at a distance.

It is found also that the practice of ransoming is a cover for collusive captures and a channel for intelligence advantageous to the enemy.

The militia being always to be regarded as the great bulwark of defense and security for free states.