[Cap^t Dale.] Sir, War Department. 22. May 1798 Although Congress have authorized the arming, equipping and employing a Number of Ships, an evident object of which is the Protection of the Commerce of the United States, yet as Congress possess exclusively the Power to declare War, grant Letters of Marque & Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water, and as neither has yet been done your Operations must accordingly be partial & limited. For the present, you will be governed by the following Instructions, which relate to the Prevention of Violations of our Jurisdictional Rights and to Self defence.— 1 The Jurisdiction of the United States, on our Coast, has been determined to extend one Marine League from our Shores, and to comprehend all our Rivers and Inlets and all the Bays and Sounds, land-locked by the Territory of the United States. If within these Limits, you find any armed Vessel whatever, committing Depredations on our Coast or attacking or having taken, or in the act of pursuing to attack or take any Vessel of the United States, or the Vessel of any Nation whatever, you are to make every Exertion to prevent the Execution of such