But though an examination of the State papers collected by the Americans themselves furnishes abundant proof of too many unblushing acts of piracy committed by vessels built and equipped in American ports, and frequently manned almost exclusively by citizens of the United States, there is no reason to suppose that their lawless acts were committed by the consent or knowledge of the American government. When the arm of the law is not sufficiently strong, there are always abundance of adventurers of all nations ready to take advantage of its weakness and, in the name of neutrals or under the flag of belligerents, as may best suit their purpose, to fit out from neutral ports cruisers with no other object than plunder; and there were too many of such vessels cruising about the ocean during the last twelve years of the mighty struggle between France and England. The government of the Federation was as yet incapable of controlling the ardour, love of gain, and enterprise which render similar adventures as fascinating as they are profitable; but it exclaimed incessantly against both England and France for alleged breaches of the laws of nations, and did not, or would not, see the violations committed by their own or by professing citizens sailing under the flag of the United States in vessels built and equipped in their own harbours, and especially in the port of Baltimore, at that time, and for some years afterwards celebrated for the construction of vessels of great beauty and symmetry, and of extraordinary speed. FOOTNOTES: [307] ‘Reports, House of Representatives,’ Feb. 23, 1791. [308] This “most favoured footing clause” has been a fruitful source of reclamation between the two countries. [309] The reader will find an account of the negotiations in Mr. Jay’s correspondence, ‘Life of John Jay,’ New York, 1833. [310] Mr. William Jay was the son and historian of his father, John Jay, the ambassador from the United States (_vide_ vol. i. p. 324). [311] The most ardent supporters of the war were the shipowners: the Whigs and the Radicals did all they could to neutralise the power of the executive. [312] Privateering was finally abolished by the great Powers of Europe March, 30, 1856; but the Americans refused to agree to this unless all private property was made free from capture at sea. The right of blockade was also proposed to be given up. This the English government declined assenting to, asserting “that the system of commercial blockade was essential to its naval supremacy.” During the recent civil war in America all the great Powers agreed in disallowing privateering, and it was also forbidden by the Treaty of Washington; hence, when Jefferson Davis announced his intention of issuing “letters of marque,” Lincoln replied that the officers and men in any such ships would be shot as pirates. [313] Of 404,135 pounds imported into the United States in 1792, no less than 373,350 came from the West Indian islands.