n and
livelihood of some of them. To suppress their callings, the only means
perhaps of their subsistence, because a war exists in foreign and
distant countries, in which we have no concern, would scarcely be
expected. It would be hard in principle, and impossible in practice. The
law of nations, therefore, respecting the rights of those at peace, does
not require from them such an internal derangement in their occupations.
It is satisfied with the external penalty pronounced in the President's
proclamation, that of confiscation of such portion of these arms as
shall fall into the hands of any of the belligerent powers on their way
to the ports of their enemies. To this penalty our citizens are warned
that they will be abandoned; and that even private contraventions may
work no inequality between the parties at war, the benefits of them will
be left equally free and open to all.

The capture of the British ship Grange by the French frigate L'Embuscade
has on inquiry been found to have taken place within the bay of Delaware
and jurisdiction of the United States, as stated in your memorial of
the 2nd instant. The government is, therefore, taking measures for the
liberation of the crew and restitution of the ship and cargo.'

It condemns, in the highest degree, the conduct of any of our citizens
who may personally engage in committing hostilities at sea against any
of the nations, parties to the present war, and will exert all the means
with which the laws and constitution have armed them to discover such
as offend herein, and bring them to condign punishment. Of these
dispositions I am authorized to give assurances to all the parties,
without reserve. Our real friendship for them all, our desire to
pursue ourselves the path of peace, as the only one leading surely to
prosperity, and our wish to preserve the morals of our citizens from
being vitiated by courses of lawless plunder and murder, may assure you
that our proceedings, in this respect, will be with good faith, fervor,
and vigilance. Instructions are consequently given to the proper law
officer, to institute such proceedings as the laws will justify,
for apprehending and punishing certain individuals of our citizens,
suggested to have been concerned in enterprises of this kind, as
mentioned in one of your memorials of the 8th instant.

The practice of commissioning, equipping, and manning vessels in our
ports, to cruise on any of the belligerent parties, is equal