[Secretary at War] [[undecipherable] Inspector General] [Armed [undecipherable] July 1794] War department. July 5^th 1794 Sir, Some doubts having arisen in several of the States as to the circumstances of equipment in any vessel belonging to the belligerent nations which may be deemed an unlawful increase or augmentation of force, it has been judged advisable in order that an uniform principle may prevail upon the subject to give the following explanation. The mounting additional Guns, [strikethrough: changing] altering the [undecipherable]⁴ or size of the Guns in any manner whatever, the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in the cutting of port holes in many [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] adjudged to be an unlawful augmentation of force, and therefore to be prohibited. • This construction had its origin from the British letter of Marque [undecipherable], which arrived in the port of Philadelphia in the month of July 1793. New Gun Carriages were made, additional Guns mounted, which had been brought in the hold of the said vessel and new Port holes were cut in her sides and Stem. Each and every one of these Acts being deemed unlawful, she was obliged to retain the new Gun Carriages, dismount the additional Guns and dismantle and effectually close up the new Port holes. Altho' this rule has hitherto been considered as applicable to the belligerent powers only, yet in order to prevent any abuse or national responsibility from the subjects of other neutral nations fitting out or equipping Vessels in our ports for the use of one of the warring nations it is extended to all vessels belonging even to neutrals. The United States being also a neutral nation the vessels of their Citizens in most cases do not require to be armed. The arming of such Vessels therefore raises a presumption that it is done with an hostile intent and contrary to the prohibitions of the Act of Congress. Some special cases indeed may occur in which arming may be proper and necessary and these are [undecipherable] [undecipherable] allowed to be well examined and ascertained as they [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] consistent with some of the belligerent powers. To [undecipherable] arms to [undecipherable] vessel belonging to any Citizen of the United States is to be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] said until after all circumstances [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to the President and his decision thereon [undecipherable] known. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of two acts relative to the sailing of Vessels of War of the belligerent nations from the United States and also an act entitled "An act in addition to an act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States." I have the honor to be with great respect Your Excellency obedient Servant [signature] His Excellency The Governor of New Hampshire