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 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow CIRCULAR, To the Commanders of Armed Vessels in the Service of the United States, given at the Navy Department, December 29 th, 1798. - The Works of John Adams, vol. 9 (Letters and State Papers 1799-1811)

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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

CIRCULAR, To the Commanders of Armed Vessels in the Service of the United States, given at the Navy Department, December 29 th, 1798. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 9 (Letters and State Papers 1799-1811) [1854]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 9.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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CIRCULAR,

To the Commanders of Armed Vessels in the Service of the United States, given at the Navy Department, December 29th, 1798.

Sir,—

It is the positive command of the President that on no pretence whatever you permit the public vessel of war under your command to be detained or searched, nor any of the officers or men belonging to her to be taken from her, by the ships or vessels of any foreign nation, so long as you are in a capacity to repel such outrage on the honor of the American flag. If force should be exerted to compel your submission, you are to resist that force to the utmost of your power, and when overpowered by superior force, you are to strike your flag, and thus yield your vessel as well as your men; but never your men without your vessel.

You will remember, however, that your demeanor be respectful and friendly to the vessels and people of all nations in amity with the United States; and that you avoid as carefully the commission of, as the submission to, insult or injury.

I have the honor to be, &c.

Ben. Stoddert.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

TRANSMITTING A FRENCH DECREE RESPECTING NEUTRAL SAILORS.

28 January, 1799.

An edict of the executive directory of the French republic of the 29th of October, 1798, inclosed in a letter from our minister plenipotentiary in London, of the 16th of November, is of so much importance, that it cannot be too soon communicated to you and the public.

John Adams.