1. Rufus Choate (written 1841): 2. House of Assembly of New Jersey: PREPAREDNESS (1793-1800) The new republic had hardly taken breath under the Federal Constitution before its very existence was threatened by the coming on of a terrible European war, which sooner or later swept into its vortex nearly all the countries of Europe. The question then presented, which has appeared several times since, was whether the United States ought to throw in its lot with one or the other of the European combinations or alliances. By the decision of Washington, embodied in the neutrality proclamation (see page opposite), it was decided to stand aloof as a neutral power; and that policy was maintained for nineteen years. It was made very difficult by the unreasonable captures of American merchant ships by Great Britain, which nearly led to war in 1794; and by the French hostile feeling which finally brought about war in 1799. The play of forces within the country and the appeal to the spirit of the people are brought out by the extracts in this chapter. We see statesmen and literary men writing patriotic songs, making patriotic addresses, and appealing to their countrymen to take an interest in foreign affairs. Washington in his Farewell Address, much of which is herewith printed (p. 45), and Adams, in his effort to prevent a breach with France, depended upon and successfully called upon the patriotism of the people. HOW From an engraving of the painting by Sully, 1812, 1. The First Neutrality Proclamation (1793) By GEORGE WASHINGTON This proclamation is the first formal document of the kind in the world's history, and advanced the policy of the United States. By the President of the United States of America. A PROCLAMATION WHEREAS it appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherlands of the one part and France on the other, and the duty and interest of the United States require that they should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent powers: I have therefore thought fit by these presents to declare the disposition of the United States to observe the conduct aforesaid toward those powers respectively, and to exhort and warn the citizens of the United States carefully to avoid all acts and proceedings whatsoever which may in any manner tend to contravene such disposition. And I do hereby also make known that whosoever of the citizens of the United States shall render himself liable to punishment or forfeiture under the law of nations by committing, aiding, or abetting hostilities against any of the said powers, or by carrying to any of them those articles which are deemed contraband by the modern usage of nations, will not receive the protection of the United States against such punishment or forfeiture; and further, that I have given instructions to those officers to whom it belongs to cause prosecutions to be instituted against all persons who shall, within the cognizance of the courts of the United States, violate the law of nations with respect to the powers at war, or any of them. In testimony whereof I have caused the seal [SEAL.] of the United States of America to be affixed to these presents, and signed the same with my hand. Done at the city of Philadelphia, the 22d day of April, 1793, and of the Independence of the United States of America the seventeenth. By the President: TH: JEFFERSON. Go WASHINGTON. Richardson, Messages of the Presidents (Washing ton, 1899), V. 156-157. |