MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING A REPORT AND SUNDRY DOCUMENTS, FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE, OF THE DEPREDATIONS COMMITTED ON THE COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES SINCE THE FIRST OF OCTOBER, 1796; IN PURSUANCE OF A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE, ON THE TENTH INSTANT. JUNE 22, 1797. ORDERED TO LIE ON THE TABLE. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Philadelphia: Printed by W. Ross, near Congress-Hall, 1797. 10, [148] pp, as issued. Bound in later quarter calf and marbled paper over boards, contemporary spine label. Folding table at the end of Document No. 4. Very Good.

Secretary of State Pickering, whose report runs through page 10, discloses that "armed vessels of Spain, Great-Britain and France" have captured American vessels since 1 October 1796. Spanish ships have done so "almost daily." British captures "have not been numerous." France is the major culprit, particularly in the West Indies, which "have exhibited the most lamentable scenes of depredation." The Report, dated 21 June 1797, lists, in six detailed documents, hundreds of assaults on American maritime commerce.
Evans 33053. ESTC W26151.