[Duplicate Original will be sent by the Post] [22 Oct. 1797] [XIX 10] [Honoured by Major Pinckney] I have the honor to submit to your Consideration the within Affidavits respecting the English Ship [undecipherable] Burnt on Sunday last within the Bar of this harbour by a Privateer said to be called the [undecipherable] commanded by a Captain Sundam and belonging to Cape Francois. also of the capture of the Ship [undecipherable] belonging to this Port and the Mary of Savannah — By an examination of the Affidavits you will find this was a very glowing and wanton violation of the Neutrality of the United States and such as will require their serious interference — The Distance from this city to the point where the act was committed prevented our interfering in time – the soon as I received intelligence of it from the British Consul I ordered armed Force from Fort Johnson to proceed to the [undecipherable] to protect her while within our waters and the Jurisdictional Line of the United States from further Depredation or Insult, but the Cutter was not able to get there before she was destroyed, and the Privateer had put to Sea and passed beyond the limits of the Unite States when she captured the [undecipherable] and the [undecipherable] — As I am convinced that such violations of our Neutrality within our limits cannot remain unnoticed by the French Government, but are generally committed by defects not commissioned which proceed contrary to their Instructions I have considered it my duty to transmit them to you for your Determination and have requested the Collector to forward copies to the proper Department — As the Trade of this City is extremely important to the Revenue of the United States and much exposed from the southern situation to Cruizers from the Floridas. Bahamers and West Indies, English as well as French, for they have both lately captured a number of our Vessels. I conceive it would be proper that a Revenue Cutter of at least twenty Guns should be appointed for the use of this Port and for the protection of the Neutrality of the United States within the Jurisdictional Line until the Establishment of a general Peace, which I trust will soon take place and that all our differences with the French Republic will be honourably and amicably adjusted. I have the honor to be With respect Your most Obedient Servants Charles Pinckney October 22^d 1797 S. [undecipherable] [Col. Pickering 23 oct ans'd 26.1197]