Henry Knox to George Washington with Opinions on Privateering [incomplete], 16 May 1793

Book excerpt: Letterpress copy. Opinions of governmental heads related to Genet's use of privateers manned and equipped by American citizens to capture British prizes and bring them into U.S. ports. Discussing whether British prizes taken by French privateers manned by Americans should be delivered to the British Minister: The Secretary of State and the Attorney General were against the restoration and the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of War were for it. Notes that the privateers were commissioned in Charleston, South Carolina by French Minister Edmond Charles Genet (referred to here as Genest). Further discusses Genet's jurisdiction and the United State's neutrality. Letterpress copy, missing final page. The creator, recipient and date are derived from a sent copy in the George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress.