University of Virginia Library

5103. MARQUE, Letters of.—[further continued].

I have to-day consulted
the other gentlemen [of the Cabinet] on the
question whether letters of marque were to
be considered as written within our interdict.
We are unanimously of opinion they are
not. We consider them as essentially merchant
vessels;
that commerce is their main
object, and arms merely incidental and defensive.—
To Albert Gallatin. Washington ed. v, 123. Ford ed., ix, 104.
(W. July. 1807)