American Historical Ephemera & Photography Online

"War department," 12 July 1793.

One page, on bifolium, 7 15/16 x 12 5/8 in., creased and toned at folds. Docketed by "J. Trimble" to verso. 

In full: "The President of the United States has directed me to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 10th instant with its enclosures, and to request that you would be pleased to give the necessary directions to have the Ship Jane attended to with vigilance, and that if she be found augmenting her force, and about to depart that you would cause her to be stopped." 

[With:] 3 1/2 x 4 3/8 in. engraving on 7 x 10 3/4 sheet, featuring Knox as a major general by E. Prud'homme (light toning, soiling). New York: James Herring, 1834. Facsimile signature beneath image.

This directive was laid out nearly word-for-word in a Cabinet Opinion on Foreign Vessels signed by Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, dated the same day as the letter featured here. It was believed by some that the ship might be an English privateer vessel, and called for vigilance in observing her and allowing her to move.