[lre from the Sec^y of War, for the restitution of prizes cap= tured by Privateers illegally fitted out. Aug. 21. 1794.] War Department August 21 1793 Sir The President of the United States has instructed me to request your Excellency, that in case any of the privateers specified in my letter of the 16th instant, should bring or send any prize belonging to any of the belligerent parties into any harbour or port of the State of Delaware — that you will please to cause such prizes to be restored to the persons who were masters or owners at the time of their being captured. If no such persons should be found and there should be a Consul residing in the State of Delaware of the power to which the prize belonged at the time of its capture, then it is to be delivered to him or to his orders. This interposition of the Executive is rendered necessary, by our Courts having hitherto declined to take cognizance of such cases. That as in the instances of American citizens and other neutrals there has as yet appeared no objection in the Courts to interpose, I am directed by the President to inform you, that he wishes this case 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 Obedient Serv^t H Knox Sec^y of War His Excellency The Governor of Delaware