16 / 230
ENFORCINGTHE NEUTRALITY ACT OF 1794
13
●
KNOX, HENRY. Letter Signed, “Knox / Sec’y of War,” to the Governor of VA
Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee III, sending regulations concerning armed vessels sailing
from U.S. ports and “An Act in addition to an Act for the punishment of certain Crimes
against the United States” [neither present], and outlining some of the main points. 2
pages, folio, with integral blank; short separations at folds with minor loss, some bleed-
through. (MRS)
[Philadelphia], 1 July 1794
[800/1,200]
“
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 . . . to give the following
explanation.
“
The mounting additional Guns, or chang-
ing or altering the Calibre or size of the
Guns in any manner whatever, the making
of new Gun Carriages or the cutting of new
port holes in any part of a vessel are each
adjudged to be an unlawful augmentation of
force, and therefore to be prevented.
“
This construction had its full operation
upon the British letter of Marque Ship Jane,
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 stern. Each and
every one of these Acts being deemed unlaw-
ful, she was obliged to reland the new Gun
Carriages, dismount the additional Guns
and dismantle and effectually close up the
new port holes.
“
Altho’ this rule has been hitherto consid-
ered 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 but these cases ought always to be well examined
and ascertained lest they should cover collusions with some of the belligerent
powers.Toguard against
such an abuse no vessel belonging to any Citizen of the United States is to be permitted to be armed
and to sail until after all circumstances concerning her shall have been transmitted to the President and
his decision thereon made known. . . .”
The present letter is one of a number of copies—probably 15—sent to the state governors.
During the War of the First Coalition (1792–1797), Revolutionary France defended itself against the
European powers, including Great Britain. The U.S., having signed the Treaty of Paris with Great
Britain in 1783, viewed Britain as a neutral power in 1794. Despite this, some entrepreneurial
Americans were persuaded to attack British and other ships on behalf of France, requiring a
Government response to those who would threaten U.S. foreign relations: the Neutrality Act, passed by
Congress on June 4, 1794.