We have seen with sincere concern the flames of war lighted up again in Europe, and nations, with which we have the most friendly and useful relations, engaged in mutual destruction. While we regret the miseries in which we see others involved, let us bow with gratitude to that kind providence, which, inspiring with wisdom and moderation our late legislative councils, while placed under the urgency of the greatest wrongs, guarded us from hastily entering into the sanguinary contest, and left us only to look on, and to pity its ravages. These will be heaviest on those immediately engaged. Yet the nations pursuing peace, will not be exempt from all evil. In the course of this conflict, let it be our endeavour, as it is our interest and desire, to cultivate the friendship of the belligerent nations by every act of justice, and of innocent kindness; to receive their armed vessels with hospitality from the distresses of the sea, but to administer the means of annoyance to none; to establish in our harbours such a police as may maintain law and order; to restrain our citizens from embarking individually in a war, in which their country takes no part; to punish severely those persons, citizen or alien, who shall usurp the cover of our flag for vessels not entitled to it, infecting thereby with suspicion those of real Americans, and committing us into controversies for the redress of wrongs not our own; to exact from every nation the observance towards our vessels and citizens of those principles and practices which all civilized people acknowledge; to merit the character of a just nation, and maintain that of an independent one, preferring every consequence to insult and habitual wrong. Congress will consider whether the existing laws enable us, efficaciously, to maintain this course, with our citizens in all places, and with others, while within the limits of our jurisdiction; and will give them the new modifications necessary for these objects. Some contraventions of right have already taken place, both within our jurisdictional limits, and on the high seas. The friendly disposition of the governments from whose agents they have proceeded, as well as

the

their wisdom and regard for justice, leave us in reasonable expectation, that they will be rectified and prevented in future; and that no act will be countenanced by them which threatens to disturb our friendly intercourse. Separated by a wide ocean from the nations of Europe, and from the political interests which entangle them together, with productions and wants which render our commerce and friendship useful to them, and theirs to us, it cannot be the interest of any to assail us, nor ours to disturb them. We should be most unwise indeed, were we to cast away singular blessings of the position in which nature has placed us, the opportunity she has endowed us with, of pursuing, at a distance from foreign contentions, the paths of industry, peace and happiness; of cultivating general friendship, and of bringing collisions of interest to the umpire of reason rather than of force. How desirable then must it be, in a government like ours, to see its citizens adopt individually the views, the interests and the conduct which their country should pursue, divesting themselves of those passions and partialities which tend to lessen useful friendships, and to embarrass and embroil us in the calamitous scenes of Europe. Confident, fellow citizens, that you will duly estimate the importance of neutral dispositions towards the observance of neutral conduct, that you will be sensible how much it is our duty to look on the bloody arena spread before us with commiseration, indeed, but with no other wish than to see it closed, I am persuaded you will cordially cherish these dispositions, in all discussions among yourselves, and in all communications with your constituents; and I anticipate with satisfaction the measures of wisdom which the great interests, now committed to you, will give you an opportunity of providing, and myself that of approving and of carrying into execution with the fidelity I owe to my country.

October 17, 1803.

TH: JEFFERSON.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES RELA

TIVE TO MOROCCO.

TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

By the copy now communicated of a letter from captain Bainbridge of the Philadelphia frigate to our consul at Gibraltar, you will learn that an act of hostility has been committed on a merchant ship of the United States by an armed ship of the Emperor of Morocco. This conduct on the part of that power is without cause, and without explanation. It is fortunate that captain Bainbridge fell in with and took the capturing vessel and her prize; and I have the satisfaction to inform you, that about the date of this transaction such a force would be arriving in the neighbourhood of Gibraltar, both from the east and from the west, as leaves less to be feared for our commerce from the suddenness of the aggression.

On the 4th of September the Constitution frigate captain Preble, with Mr. Lear on board, was within two days sail of Gibraltar, where the Philadelphia would then be arrived with the prize; and such explanation would probably be instituted as the state of things required, and as might perhaps arrest the progress of hostilities.

In the mean while it is for Congress to consider the provisional authorities which may be necessary to restrain the depredations of this power, should they be continued. TH: JEFFERSON.

November 4, 1805.

United States frigate Philadelphia, East of Malaga about ten miles.Monday August 29, 1803.

JAMES SIMPSON, ESQ.

DEAR SIR.-I wrote you from Gibraltar on the 24th instant, mentioning that we should sail the next morning for Malta.

Hearing at the Rock, that two Tripolitans were off Cape de Gatt, made me proceed with all expedition to ex

amine that part of the Spanish coast. On the 26th it blowing very fresh, at 8 P. M. being nearly up with Cape de Gatt fell in with a ship carrying only her foresail, which had a brig in company, under the same sail. It being night, and her guns housed, prevented an immediate discovery of her being a cruiser. After hailing for some time found that she was a vessel of war from Barbary; on which information I caused her boat to be sent on board the frigate Philadelphia with her passports, from which I discovered that she was a cruiser belonging to the Emperor of Morocco called Mirboha, commanded by Ibraham Lubareg, mounting twenty-two guns, and manned with one hundred men. By not making ourselves known to the officer who came on board, he confessed that the brig in company was an American, and had been with them three or four days, was bound to some port in Spain, had been boarded by them but not been detained. The low sail the brig was under induced me to suspect they had captured her, notwithstanding their having your passport, which it must appear from the sequel, was only obtained to protect them from American ships of war. I sent my first lieutenant on board to examine if they had any American prisoners; on his attempting to execute my orders, he was prevented by the captain of the cruiser. This increased my suspicion, and I sent a boat with armed men to enforce my instructions; after they were on board they found captain Richard Bowen, of the American brig Celia, owned by Mr. Amasa Thayer of Boston, and several of his crew, who was taken on the 17th instant, from Barcelona, bound to Malaga, within two or three leagues of the Spanish shore, and about twenty-five miles to the eastward of Malaga. The captain and the crew they had confined below deck, which they always did when speaking a vessel. After making this discovery I immediately ordered all the Moorish on board the frigate, for I made no hesitation in capturing her, after such proceedings on their part, and violation of the faith of passports which ought to be sacred. Owing to the high wind and sea, it took me

the greater part of the night to get the prisoners on board and man the prize, which detention occasioned losing sight of the brig. The following morning discovering many vessels in divers directions, the day was spent by the frigate and prize in chasing to find the captured brig: about P. M. made her coming round Cape de Gatt from the eastward, standing close in shore for Almeria bay. Owing to the wind not being very fresh, we were going slow in approaching her; the greatest exertions were made by lieutenant Coxe, in towing and rowing the prize. Fortunately the wind increased in the evening, and we re-captured her at twelve o'clock at night. The Moors confessed that they came a cruising for the sole purpose of capturing Americans to be sent to Tangier. I have received a paper from them written in Moorish, which they say is their authority from the governour of Tangier for so doing. I enclose this to John Gavino Esq. with a particular request to have it safely conveyed to you, that you may be informed of the circumstance and act accordingly. I believe the governour of Tangier is much disposed for hostilities with the United States; the Moorish prisoners accuse him as the sole cause of their present situation. I sincerely hope that the capture may be productive of good effects to the United States with the Emperor, who may be assured that if he goes to war unjustly with the United States, he will lose every large cruiser he has, and God grant that it may not in the least prove a disadvantage to you. My officers and self have made it a marked point to treat the prisoners not only with the lenity that is due from humanity, but with particular attention and civility, to impress on their minds a favourable opinion of the American character. That you may receive this information as early as possible, I despatch my boat on shore at Malaga, to request William Kirkpatrick Esq. consul, to send it by express to Gibraltar. I shall be extremely anxious to hear from you, as also for the arrival of commodore Preble, to receive his instructions relative to the captured ships. I am bound to Gibraltar bay with the