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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

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 belligerant Powers;

I have therefore thought fit by these presents to declare

the disposition of the United States to observe the conduct

aforesaid towards those Powers respectfully; 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 whatsoever 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 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

twenty-second day of April, one thousand seven hundred and

ninety-three, and of the Independence of the United States of

America the seventeenth.

GEORGE WASHINGTON

April 22, 1793

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France declared war against Great Britain and Holland

early in April, 1793. President Washington called a special

cabinet meeting, which resulted in this declaration of

neutrality.

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