War Department, August 20^th 1799 Sir. I had the honor of transmitting to your Excellency on the 16th instant, the determination of the President of the United States, to restore all the captures made after the 8th day of August instant, from any of the belligerent parties, by certain French privateers fitted out in the United States. — This interposition of the Executive was rendered necessary by our Courts having hitherto declined to take cognizance of such cases. But as in the instance of American Citizens, and other neutrals, there has as yet appeared no objection in the Courts to interpose, I am instructed by the President to inform you, in order to prevent any misconstruction of what has been already communicated to your Excellency, that he wishes their cases to be brought before the judicial tribunals. He will afterwards take into consideration any representation which may be made to him. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Your Excellency's Most obt. Serv. [signature] Knox [undecipherable] July 19, 1800 [marginalia lower left:] His Excellency Josiah Bartlett, Governor of New Hampshire.