Having, for particular reasons, forborne to use all the measures in our
power for the restitution of the three vessels mentioned in my letter of
August the 7th, the President thought it incumbent on the United States
to make compensation for them: and though nothing was said in that
letter of other vessels taken under like circumstances, and brought in
after the 5th of June and before the date of that letter, yet where
the same forbearance had taken place, it was and is his opinion that
compensation would be equally due.
As to prizes made under the same circumstances, and brought in after the
date of that letter, the President determined that all the means in
our power should be used for their restitution If these fail us, as we
should not be bound by our treaties to make compensation to the other
powers, in the analogous case he did not mean to give an opinion that it
ought to be done to Great Britain. But still, if any cases shall arise
subsequent to that date the circumstances of which shall place them
on similar ground with those before it, the President would think
compensation equally incumbent on the United States.
Instructions are given to the Governors of the different States, to
use all the means in their power for restoring prizes of this last
description, found within their ports.
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