[Secretary at War / 29 [undecipherable] 94 / Acknowledged [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of / as to the arming of / Philad[a]] [X X] War department June 27 1794 Sir I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's favor of the 18 and 19 instant, the first of which contained information relatively to the equipment of the Vanostable at Norfolk owned or commanded by John Cooke and the last relatively to a British Brig which you understood to have been restored upon her arrival at Norfolk she being evidently taken within the limits of the protection of the United States The President being absent upon the receipt of these letters they have been laid before the heads of the departments The equipment of the Vanostable at Norfolk is considered as a serious evil and contravening essentially the principles of our neutrality. It is understood at present that she is in the River Delaware towards its entrance. Application is therefore made to the Minister of France that he would instantly cause her to be divested of her warlike equipments under the inspection of an Officer of the United States. Little doubt is entertained of his compliance provided she should still be within the reach of his orders. If however he should decline his interference it is probable that some effectual measures may be used to compel M^r Cooper to conform his vessel to the principles which have been prescribed upon this subject. The original arming of any vessels belonging to the belligerent powers whether designed for offence or defence, War or Commerce is absolutely prohibited within the United States. All augmentation of force to any vessels of the above description is also prohibited. This rule will prevent new gun barriages from being made, new port holes cut in any vessel, additional guns mounted on the original battery of any gun being charged or altered in any manner whatever. This rule had complete operation upon the British letter of Marque Ship Juno which came into the port of Philadelphia on July 1793. New gun carriages were made for 4 guns which the said vessel had lying in her holes, and she had new port holes cut, all these were considered as unlawful and accordingly the additional guns were dismounted, the new gun barriages retained and the new port holes dismounted and effectually closed up. Any further explanations of any of the rules heretofore transmitted to your Excellency shall be promptly given. I have the honor herein to transmit enclosed an act relatively to the preservation of our neutrality entitled An Act in addition to the Act for the punishment of certain Crimes against the United States, and also a new rule as to the sailing of vessels of War of the belligerent nations from the United States— I shall have the honor shortly to transmit some further rules relatively to neutral vessels or vessels belonging to citizens of the United States arming or equipping for war within our ports— I have the honor to be with great respect Your Excellency's obed^t Servant [signature] His Excellency Governor Henry Lee