Details
KNOX, Henry (1750-1806), General, Continental Army. Autograph letter signed ("Knox Secy of War") as Secretary of War, to Governor Thomas Mifflin, "War department," [Philadelphia, PA.], 26 March 1794. 1½ pages, 4to, left-hand margin reinforced, otherwise a fine example.
ORDERING AN EMBARGO TO COUNTER BRITISH VIOLATIONS OF AMERICAN NEUTRALITY
An important letter from Secretary of War Knox to Governor Mifflin of Pennsylvania, ordering an embargo upon all ships traveling to foreign ports. As Europe became embroiled in the Wars of the French Revolution, President Washington proclaimed American neutrality in hopes of avoiding the conflict. Maintaining neutrality proved difficult, as the British not only seized American merchant vessels trading with the French, but formented hostility from the Native Americans on the northwest frontier. British violations of American neutrality reached a peak in November, 1793 when they seized hundreds of American vessels in the West Indies before the American government became aware of the new policy. The response was a Congressional order of embargo passed on March 26, 1794. Here, Knox informs Mifflin of his responsibilities under the embargo: "Congress having passed a resolve laying an embargo for thirty days, on all vessels bound to foreign ports, The President of the United States requests that you would please to dispatch instantly an express to Fort Mifflin with an order to detain all vessels, bound to any foreign port or place whatever, unless furnished with official pass from him." Reflecting Washington's concern for the effect on other vessels, Knox specifies that "the embargo is not to be deemed to extend to any vessel having a fishing or coasting license, or a clearance to another district of the United States." Showing the government's intent to enforce its will, Mifflin is further instructed, "It is to be understood that mild means are to be used in the first instance to stop all vessels, but if they, or any of them should refuse to stop expectant military force must be used for that purpose."
ORDERING AN EMBARGO TO COUNTER BRITISH VIOLATIONS OF AMERICAN NEUTRALITY
An important letter from Secretary of War Knox to Governor Mifflin of Pennsylvania, ordering an embargo upon all ships traveling to foreign ports. As Europe became embroiled in the Wars of the French Revolution, President Washington proclaimed American neutrality in hopes of avoiding the conflict. Maintaining neutrality proved difficult, as the British not only seized American merchant vessels trading with the French, but formented hostility from the Native Americans on the northwest frontier. British violations of American neutrality reached a peak in November, 1793 when they seized hundreds of American vessels in the West Indies before the American government became aware of the new policy. The response was a Congressional order of embargo passed on March 26, 1794. Here, Knox informs Mifflin of his responsibilities under the embargo: "Congress having passed a resolve laying an embargo for thirty days, on all vessels bound to foreign ports, The President of the United States requests that you would please to dispatch instantly an express to Fort Mifflin with an order to detain all vessels, bound to any foreign port or place whatever, unless furnished with official pass from him." Reflecting Washington's concern for the effect on other vessels, Knox specifies that "the embargo is not to be deemed to extend to any vessel having a fishing or coasting license, or a clearance to another district of the United States." Showing the government's intent to enforce its will, Mifflin is further instructed, "It is to be understood that mild means are to be used in the first instance to stop all vessels, but if they, or any of them should refuse to stop expectant military force must be used for that purpose."
Special notice
Tax exempt.