Instructions to the Commanders of Armed Vessels Given at Philadelphia from President of United States John Adams by Command James McHenry Secretary of War
Item
Type
Document Signed
Title
Instructions to the Commanders of Armed Vessels Given at Philadelphia from President of United States John Adams by Command James McHenry Secretary of War
Description
Initiation of the undeclared war with France [Quasi War]. Document heading denotes John Adams President of United States, signed by command, James McHenry Secretary of War. McHenry gives instructions to Commanders of armed vessels belonging to the United States given at Philadelphia. By Act of Congress that armed vessels are sailing under authority or pretense of authority of Republic of France, have committed depredations on commerce of United States and captured vessels, property of citizens in violation of law of nations and treaties between United States and France. Therefore, commanders directed to seize, take and bring into any port of United States any vessel sailing under authority of France, which shall be found committed or found hovering on US coast for purpose of committing depredations on vessels of US citizens, and to retake any vessel of United States which may have been captured.
year created
1798
month created
05
day created
28
secondary author
sent from location
Philadelphia
secondary recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
James McHenry
Thomas Truxton
Richard Dale
Silas Talbot
Commanders of Armed Vessels of United States
President of United States
John Adams
Secretary of War
notable location
Philadelphia
coastal United States
notable idea/issue
Quasi War with France
XYZ affair
Jay Treaty
document number
1798052800301
page start
1
transcription
John Adams, President of the United States
Instruction to the Commanders of armed Vessels belonging to the United States,
given at Philadelphia the twenty eighth day of May in the year of our Lord One
thousand seven hundred and ninety eight and in the twenty second Year of the
Independence of the said State.
Whereas it is declared by an Act of Congress passed the twenty eighth day of
May 1798 that armed Vessels sailing under authority or pretence of authority
from the Republic of France, have committed depredations on the commerce of
the United States and have recently captured the vessels and property of Citizens
thereof on and near the Coasts, in violation of the law of Nations and treaties
between the United States and the French Nation,
Therefore and in pursuance of the said Act you are instructed and directed to
seize, take and bring into any port of the United States to be proceeded against
according to the laws of Nations any armed vessel sailing under authority or
pretence of authority from the Republic of France, which shall have committed,
or which shall be found hovering on the Coast of the United States for the
purpose of committing depredations on the vessels belonging to Citizens thereof;
and also to retake any ship or Vessel of any Citizen or Citizens of the United
States which may have been captured by any such armed Vessel-
By Command
James W. McHenry
Secy. of War
Seal
Instruction to the Commanders of armed Vessels belonging to the United States,
given at Philadelphia the twenty eighth day of May in the year of our Lord One
thousand seven hundred and ninety eight and in the twenty second Year of the
Independence of the said State.
Whereas it is declared by an Act of Congress passed the twenty eighth day of
May 1798 that armed Vessels sailing under authority or pretence of authority
from the Republic of France, have committed depredations on the commerce of
the United States and have recently captured the vessels and property of Citizens
thereof on and near the Coasts, in violation of the law of Nations and treaties
between the United States and the French Nation,
Therefore and in pursuance of the said Act you are instructed and directed to
seize, take and bring into any port of the United States to be proceeded against
according to the laws of Nations any armed vessel sailing under authority or
pretence of authority from the Republic of France, which shall have committed,
or which shall be found hovering on the Coast of the United States for the
purpose of committing depredations on the vessels belonging to Citizens thereof;
and also to retake any ship or Vessel of any Citizen or Citizens of the United
States which may have been captured by any such armed Vessel-
By Command
James W. McHenry
Secy. of War
Seal
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (1 pages) | NHA18 (1 pages) | Collection: Rawle Papers, 3 Official Correspondence, Attorney for U.S. District of P.A., 1791-1800. | P: 74 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | John Adams | Philadelphia | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Commanders of Armed Vessels of United States | [unknown] | [n/a] |