perform all such other duties as the nature of their mission and the exigencies of the country may require. I would only suggest lo your honorable body the propriety of making out instructions, with the proper commissions lo those agents thus elected, in order that they be immediately dispatched to perform the duties assigned lo them. And that a committee of fit and suitable persons be appointed to take this matter under their consideration. And in the event that those agents specially appointed by the Convention do not present themselves, that you immediately proceed to appoint others who will serve; this is a matter which I consider of the most vital importance, and deserves your prompt attention. The ordinance next under my consideration, is the ordinance and decree regulating offices under the Provisional Government which I approve and have signed. The next in order is the ordinance establishing a Navy, and granting letters of marque and reprisal. To this bill I am bound to object as it now stands. The privileges granted to privateers seems to me rather unbounded.-That this Government takes all the responsibilities without any interest in the captures which may be made. If prizes are brought into our ports, the Government will be at the expense of adjudication and sale, without remuneration, provided they should be found lawful prizes, if not lawful prizes they will be bound to make remuneration for the act of their commissioned agents, who have brought into our ports prizes which cannot be condemned and sold as such. Besides, I consider, agreeably to the provisions of the ordinance, that privateers would have an unbridled licence to roam at large, without being particularly under the control of the Government, and kept within limits calculated to protect our own commerce, and might, in the end, be productive of more injury than good. And, notwithstanding I have recommended and urged the granting of letters of marque and reprisal, if they are not commissioned in a manner calculated lo promote the public good by annoying our enemies and protecting our own commerce, they might prove injurious to the Government rather than an advantage. As such I would like, if commisions are issued, that they would not derogate from similar privileges granted by other governments. As it respects that part of the bill making provisions for
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