ugust 7, 1793

TO MR. GENET.

Philadelphia, August 7, 1793.

Sir,

In a letter of June the 5th, I had the honor to inform you that the
President, after reconsidering, at your request, the case of vessels
armed within our ports to commit hostilities on nations at peace with
the United States, had finally determined that it could not be admitted,
and desired that all those which had been so armed should depart from
our ports. It being understood afterwards, that these vessels either
still remained in our ports, or had only left them to cruise on our
coasts and return again with their prizes, and that another vessel, the
Little Democrat, had been since armed at Philadelphia, it was desired
in my letter of the 12th of July, that such vessels, with their prizes,
should be detained, till a determination should be had of what was to be
done under these circumstances. In disregard, however, of this desire,
the Little Democrat went out immediately on a cruise.

I have it now in charge to inform you, that the President considers
the United States as bound, pursuant to positive assurances given in
conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate the restoration of
or to make compensation for prizes, which shall have been made of any
of the parties at war with France, subsequent to the fifth day of June
last, by privateers fitted out of our ports.

That it is consequently expected, that you will cause restitution to be
made of all prizes taken and brought into our ports subsequent to
the above mentioned day by such privateers, in defect of which, the
President considers it as incumbent upon the United States to indemnify
the owners of those prizes; the indemnification to be reimbursed by the
French nation.

That besides taking efficacious measures to prevent the future fitting
out of privateers in the ports of the United States, they will not give
asylum therein to any which shall have been at any time so fitted out,
and will cause restitution of all such prizes as shall be hereafter
brought within their ports by any of the said privateers.

It would have been but proper respect to the authority of the country,
had that been consulted before these armaments were undertaken. It would
have been satisfactory, however, if their sense of them, when declared,
had been duly acquiesced in. Reparation of the injury to which the
United States have been made so involuntarily instrumental is all which
now remains, and in this yo