In the Kentucky Resolution of 1798, the states of Virginia and Kentucky agreed that under the Alien and Sedition acts enforced by the government were unconstitutional. These acts made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and penalized statements that could be considered as critical to the federal government.
In an effort to improve the relationship and assure harmony within the states, President Monroe stated in his Second Inaugural Address that this was the beginning of the "Era of Good Feelings". In this speech, he openly expresses his intention of not allowing slavery to the territories being settled during the westward expansion.