Letter, Type Undetermined

Letter, directs actions re privateers & captured prizes; alludes to foreign hostilities & United States neutrality; discusses judicial system.

08/21/1793

War Department

1793082100201

1

Address leaf only. We suspect that this letter is a circular letter to the Governors of the States, of which other copies are available. See Knox to Lee, 08/21/1793 and Knox to Clayton, 08/21/1793.

Richard Dobbs Spaight

Henry Knox

Newbern

War Department

United States

Delaware

North Carolina

Newbern

directed by the president to inform you that he wishes their cases to be brought before the judicial tribunals

take into consideration any representation which may be made to him

cause such prizes to be restored to the persons who were masters or owners at the time of their being captured

persons should be found

consul

power to which the prize belonged at the time of its capture

delivered to him or to his orders

interposition of the Executive is rendered necessary by our courts having hitherto declined to take cognizance of such cases

instance of American citizens and other neutrals there has yet appeared no objection in the courts to interpose

registered

President of the United States has instructed me to request your excellency

privateers specified in my letter

prizes belonging to any of the belligerent parties into any harbour or port

War Department

free

Governor of the State of North Carolina