[Secretary of War. Dated 16^th Rec^d 22^d August 1793.] War department August 16. 1793. Sir, It has heretofore been made known, that the fitting out of Privateers on the posts of the United States was considered as incompatible with our present State of Neutrality. The Executive after trying other measures in vain to prevent a continuance of the practice finds itself at length constrained to resort to more decisive steps than have hitherto been employed. To avoid this to be a further infraction of our rights and a further commitment of our peace, the President of the United States, after mature deliberation, has directed that no armed vessel which has been or shall be originally fitted out in any port of the United States as a Cruizer or Privateer by either of the parties at War is to have a Asylum in any of the ports of the United States. I am directed to inform your Excellency of this decision and to request that in case any vessel within this description should arrive in any port or harbour in the State of Virginia — that you would cause her to be ordered to depart immediately, and in case of her refusal that you would take all effectual measures to oblige her to depart. It is at the same time the desire of the President that force may not be resorted to until every proper effort has been previously made to procure the early departure without it. And the President has further directed me to request that in case any such vessel or vessels shall have sent or brought subsequent to the fifth instant, or should hereafter send or bring any prize or prizes into any port or harbour of your State, that you would cause such prize or prizes to be immediately secured by the Militia for the purpose of being restored to the former Owners It is also requested that you would please to transmit in Writing all the cases with the evidences thereon which may arise in pursuance of this Communication. The following are the names of the Privateers comprehended within the meaning of this letter that have hitherto come to the knowledge of the Government Citizen Genet - - - - } Sans Culottes - - - - } fitted out at Charleston. S. Carolina Vangueur de Bastille } Petit Democrat - - - - - - - - Philadelphia Caramagnole - - - - - - - - - - Delaware I have the honor to be with great respect Your Excellencys obedient Servant Knox Sec^y of War His Excellency The Governor of Virginia