Violations of Neutrality Act
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Violations of Neutrality Act
Description
Secretary Knox writes Governor Richard Dobbs Spaight of North Carolina concerning rules for arming vessels of belligerent powers, in light of the Neutrality Act - and whether this is deemed an unlawful increase or augmentation of force. Knox considers the mounting of additional guns, or altering the caliber of the guns, or the making of new gun carriages, to be an unlawful augmentation of force. Additionally states that because the United States is neutral, the vessels of her citizens need not be armed
year created
1794
month created
07
day created
01
author
sent from location
War Department
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Richard Dobbs Spaight
Henry Knox
British
French
notable location
War Department
Philadelphia
Britain
France
ports
notable item/thing
guns
carriages
port holes
Ship Jane
vessels
notable phrase
citizens
require to be armed
the arming of such vessels
presumption
hostile intent and contrary to the prohibitions of the Act of Congress
examined and ascertained
collusions with some of the belligerent powers
guard against such an abuse
sail
President
decision
sailing of vessels of war of the belligerent nations
and Act for the punishment of certain Crimes angainst
new gun carriages
additional guns mounted
brought in the hold
new portholes were cut in her sides and stern
Acts
unlawful
obliged to reland the new gun carriages
dismount the additional guns
dismantle and effectually close up the new port holes
belligerent powers
abuse or national responsibility
neutral nations
fitting out or equipping vessels in our ports
warring nations
all vessels
neutrals
doubts having arisen in several States as to the circumstances of equipment in any vessel belonging to the belligerent nations
unlawful increase or augmentation of force
uniform principle
mounting additional guns or changin or altering the calibre or size of the guns
making of new carriages or the cutting of new portholes in any part of a vessel
to be prevented
construction
British letter
Maruee Ship Jane
document number
1794070100501
page start
1
Item sets
Transcribe this document
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | AID14 (2 pages) | Collection: Gilder Lehrman Collection. | GLC01074 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Henry Knox | War Department | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Richard Dobbs Spaight | [unknown] | [n/a] |