[undecipherable] their v[e]ssel for the service of the Republic[undecipherable] inten[d] her for an advice boat, and the Mili[undecipherable] informed one making on board her, have abs[undecipherable] to make her to act on the defensive. I wish, [undecipherable] satisfy you, and I beg you not to well persuaded [undecipherable] give me the greatest pleasure, to conform to the r[undecipherable] government, Especially, when [undecipherable] transmitte[d] for principles and Language, truly Republican can[not?] Respect and Confidence. Germantown November 12^th 17[undecipherable] Sir [The ex]isting war b[etween undecipherable] the capture of vessels on our sea coast, at h[undecipherable] distan[ce from] our Shores, should be provis[ioned undecipherable] -tion of [the Uni]ted States. President of th[undecipherable] this [undecipherable] be, has been guided m[undecipherable] and a [undecipherable] may be hereafter exte[nded undecipherable] different [undecipherable] powers who may be concerned in [undecipherable] of some [undecipherable] who are for a greater distan[ce undecipherable] to have such influence as to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The President [undecipherable] shall con[sider the] Executive powers, [undecipherable] the distan[ce] the limits of the [jurisdict]ion of the United States. This d[undecipherable] by treaty bet[ween] some of the bell[ig]ent Powers, a[nd undecipherable] of them claim on their own co[a]sts, co[m]mit of no reas[on undecipherable] their par[t, he has] therefore dire[cted undecipherable] consider a [undecipherable] done [undecipherable] three and [undecipherable] which all hostili[ties undecipherable] -locked are of course [undecipherable] laws of most of the states, with [undecipherable] same protection from hosti[lities undecipherable] the [undecipherable] has been done within these limits in a gre[at undecipherable] witnesses, it becomes necessary to take me[asures for undecipherable] these witnesses in the different states where[undecipherable] [hav]ing as yet made no provision f[or undecipherable] [con]siders that this duty ought [to fall on the undecipherable] [the] Attorneys of the respective districts. [If] your Excellency should take possession of [the] allegation of her having been captured within our [undecipherable] the goodness to cause the Attorney of the United [S]tates to be notified thereof, in order that he may [take] steps for the the examination of the necessary affair — The President of the United States has [author]ized me to inform your Excellency, that if any [Bri]tish have been illegally fi[tted out] in any of our Ports, [in] circumstance[s undecipherable] come into any [undecipherable] [pe]rmitted to make no [undecipherable] [und]er dwell[ing] [undecipherable] themselves [In] such as case that they be [undecipherable] [carry]ing solely to a commercial [undecipherable] — With greatest respect your [Excellency's most] obedient servant [undecipherable] [Sec.] of War