SIR: As the circumstances which have engaged the United States in the present Indian war[178] may some of them be out of the public recollection and others perhaps be unknown, it may appear advisable that you prepare and publish from authentic documents a statement of those circumstances, as well as of the measures which have been taken from time to time for the reestablishment of peace and friendship. When the community are called upon for considerable exertions to relieve a part which is suffering under the hand of an enemy, it is desirable to manifest that due pains have been taken by those intrusted with the administration of their affairs to avoid the evil. Go. WASHINGTON. [Footnote 178: With certain tribes of Indians northwest of the Ohio.] [From Annals of Congress, Sixth Congress, 1335.] SEPTEMBER 29, 1792. The President of the United States doth hereby order and direct that any lot or lots in the city of Washington may, after the public sale to commence on the 8th day of October, be sold and agreed for by the commissioners, or any two of them, at private sale for such price and on such terms as they may think proper. Go. WASHINGTON. [From Sparks's Washington, Vol. X, pp. 546-548.] RULES ADOPTED BY THE CABINET AS TO THE EQUIPMENT OF VESSELS IN THE PORTS OF THE UNITED STATES BY BELLIGERENT POWERS, AND PROCEEDINGS ON THE CONDUCT OF THE FRENCH MINISTER. AUGUST 3, 1793. 1. The original arming and equipping of vessels in the ports of the United States by any of the belligerent parties for military service, offensive or defensive, is deemed unlawful. 2. Equipments of merchant vessels by either of the belligerent parties in the ports of the United States purely for the accommodation of them as such is deemed lawful. 3. Equipments in the ports of the United States of vessels of war in the immediate service of the Government of any of the belligerent parties which if done to other vessels would be of a doubtful nature, as being applicable either to commerce or war, are deemed lawful, except those which shall have made prize of the subjects, people, or property of France coming with their prizes into the ports of the United States pursuant to the seventeenth article of our treaty of amity and commerce with France. 4. Equipments in the ports of the United States by any of the parties at war with France of vessels fitted for merchandise and war, whether with or without commissions, which are doubtful in their nature, as being applicable either to commerce or war, are deemed lawful, except those which shall be made prize, etc. 5. Equipments of any of the vessels of France in the ports of the United States which are doubtful in their nature, as being applicable to commerce or war, are deemed lawful. 6. Equipments of every kind in the ports of the United States of privateers of the powers at war with France are deemed lawful.