"the government of the united states has been desirous by this friendly proceeding of manifesting the great value which they have invariably attached to the friendship of the emperor (of russia) and their solicitude to cultivate the best understanding with his government. in the discussions to which this interest has given rise and in the arrangements by which they may terminate the occasion has been judged proper for asserting, as a principle in which the rights and interests of the united states are involved, that the american continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any european " . this excerpt from a speech in 1823 was made by u. s. president a) john adams. b) james monroe. c) andrew jackson. d) thomas jefferson.