President Adams announced in his inaugural address that new free republics of South America had invited the United States to send a representative to a meeting of a Congress for consultations and action as to objects of common interests.

Adams announced that he had accepted the invitation, on the stipulation that the delegates would not do anything that will violate the neutrality of the United States. Adams then sent a message to the Congress that he had accepted the invitation, and he thought that this was within the competency of the executive to do. Adams however, requested the Congress opinion as well the confirmation of the commissioners.