War department August 19 1793 Sir; The President of the United States has instructed me to express to your Excellency his extreme regret at receiving information that a vessel sailed from the harbour of Boston on the 16 instant, armed and equipped as a Privateer, with a commission from France. The letter, which I had the honor to write you on the 16 instant, will show the measures which the Executive has been constrained to take to prevent in future such flagrant violations of the rights and sovereignty of the United States. But unless the measures which have been directed are promptly and cordially executed in the respective States, we shall be in danger of being involved in all the evils of a War brought upon us by dishonourable practices, which we have had the power to suppress. The tried patriotism of your Excellency affords the President the most solid ground of expectation that you will devote the highest vigilance to be used in respect to the subjects stated in my letter of the 16 inst. I have the honor to be with great respect Your Excellency's obedient Servant H Knox Sec^y of War His Excellency Governor Hancock [Sec^y at War 19^th Aug 1793 Reed at Concord 26^th Aug 1793 N^o 41]