Genet, in a style which certainly did not look like relinquishing
the practice. The Little Sarah or Little Democrat was armed, equipped,
and manned, in the port of Philadelphia, under the very eye of the
government, as if meant to insult it. Having fallen down the river, and
being evidently on the point of departure for a cruise, Mr. Genet was
desired in my letter of July the 2th, on the part of the President,
to detain her till some inquiry and determination on the case should
be had. Yet within three or four days after, she was sent out by orders
from Mr. Genet himself, and is, at this time, cruising on our coasts, as
appears by the protest of the master of one of our vessels maltreated by
her.
The government thus insulted and set at defiance by Mr. Genet, and
committed in its duties and engagements to others, determined still to
see in these proceedings but the character of the individual, and not to
believe, and it does not believe, that they are by instructions from his
employers. They had assured the British Minister here, that the vessels
already armed in our ports should be obliged to leave them, and that no
more should be armed in them. Yet more had been armed, and those before
armed had either not gone away, or gone only to return with new prizes.
They now informed him that the order for departure should be enforced,
and the prizes made contrary to it should be restored or compensated.
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