Skip to main content

Primary sourceDocument4 May 1822

Views of the President of the United States on the Subject of Internal Improvements

James Monroe · 4 May 1822

Monroe's 1822 written argument, issued with his veto of the Cumberland Road tolls bill, explaining his limits on federal power.

Monroe personally wrote this essay and veto message, showing his constitutional thinking on federal power.

Ask James Monroe about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Title page of a printed 1822 document, with a handwritten note reading 'Duplicate of #5' and '[127]' above the title. The title reads 'Message from the President of the United States, with his objections to the bill for the Preservation and Repair of the Cumberland Road; also, a Paper, containing his views on the subject of Internal Improvements.' Dated May 4, 1822, printed in Washington by Gales & Seaton.
James Monroe, Views of the President of the United States on the Subject of Internal Improvements, 4 May 1822. Library of Congress.

About this source

What it is

This is a printed 1822 document containing President James Monroe's message to the House of Representatives objecting to a bill for repairing the Cumberland Road, along with his paper of "Views on the subject of Internal Improvements." Dated 4 May 1822, it was printed in Washington and is held by the Library of Congress.

Why it matters

Monroe wrote this paper himself to explain why he believed the Constitution did not give Congress the power to build turnpikes with tolls and penalties. It shows his careful, strict reading of federal power at a time when the country was debating how much the government should fund roads and canals, a major issue of the

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James Monroe on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More James Monroe sources

Meet the AI James Monroe →
Handwritten manuscript page numbered 29 in brown ink on aged, yellowed paper, in cursive script. The text discusses events in Spain and Portugal, the independence of the Americas, and non-interference by European powers. A small signature 'Adams' appears at the bottom right.Speech

Primary source

Monroe Doctrine

James Monroe · 2 December 1823

Document

Primary source

Louisiana Purchase Treaty

30 April 1803

Handwritten manuscript page in brown ink on aged paper, the conference committee report on the Missouri Compromise. Text begins 'The committee of conference of the Senate and of the House of Representatives' and continues with resolutions about the Missouri bill and Maine statehood.Document

Primary source

Missouri Compromise Conference Committee Report

1 March 1820

Map titled 'The Adams-Onís Treaty', showing area claimed by the US before the treaty and results of the new agreement. Shaded regions mark US states, US territories, and Area Ceded by Spain; a red line marks the new boundary along 42 degrees north, the Arkansas and Red Rivers, and 32 degrees north. Labels include Oregon Country, Missouri Territory, and Viceroyalty of New Spain.Document

Primary source

Adams–Onís Treaty

1819 (effective 1821)

Oil portrait of a middle-aged man with gray hair, shown from the chest up in a dark coat and white cravat, turned slightly to his right against a dark background with a faint pillar on the left.Painting

Primary source

James Monroe

John Vanderlyn · 1816

Ready when you are

Start chatting with James Monroe now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions