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H. Knox, Secretary of War, to the Governor. May 9th 1794

H. Knox, Secretary of War, to the Governor.
War Department
May 9th 1794
Your Excellency's letter of the 14th ultimo has been received and submitted to the President of the United States.
Any indulgencies which the St. Domingo fleet, mentioned by you, may have received contrary to the Spirit of the resolve laying the embargo, are unknown to, and were unauthorized by the Executive of the United States. Any information, therefore, which you may possess upon this subject, and which you can with propriety transmit in order to be submitted to the President of the United States will be thankfully received.
Letters of Marque being comprehended by the embargo, cannot be permitted to depart because some unauthorized irregularities have taken place with respect to other vessels, the conduct of the Officers who have permitted such irregularities, will be enquired into and made responsible for any breach of the embargo which they may have committed.
An informal and unauthenticated information has been received, that Sir John Jarvis's fleet, from the West Indies, said to consist of seven sail of the line and four frigates, may be shortly expected in the Chesapeake, and perhaps at Norfolk. Altho. this report may be without foundation, yet it is thought proper that it should be transmitted to your Excellency in confidence, in order that you may take such prudent precautions for the prevention of misunderstanding, as the delicate state of public affairs strongly require. And if your convenience would permit you to reside principally at Norfolk during the continuance of the fleet at that place (provided it should arrive), it would be highly satisfactory to the President of the United States. As hopes are entertained that an amicable accommodation may be effected with Great Britain by the mission of Mr. Jay, and satisfaction obtained for the damages on our commerce, it would be extremely unfortunate if they should be frustrated by any untoward event which might arise from individual irritions of temper on either side.
By a vessel which will sail in a few days from this place, ammunition will be forwarded for the cannon which are at Norfolk, and also a number of carriages and implements for nine eighteen-pounders, which are at the head of Elk, and which will also be forwarded. Major Rivardi will see that these pieces are put in perfect order, and prepare a reverbratory furnace or two for hot shot; and as Norfolk, from its situation, appears to be pre-eminently important, compared with the other places in the Chesapeake, it may be proper for Mr. Rivardi to continue there as long as possible consistently with the other objects. A Mr. Vermonet may therefor be employed at Alexandria and Annapolis, which is probably to be fortified.
Some appointments in the artillery will be shortly made, and Recruits endeavoured to be obtained, some of which will repair as soon as possible to Norfolk. In the mean time Captain Hannah will be ordered to Norfolk with twenty Recruits, which he has at Alexandria.
I have, &c.

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Source of Information

CALENDAR of VIRGINIA STATE PAPERS and OTHER MANUSCRIPTS, FROM JANUARY 1, 1794, TO MAY 16, 1795, PRESERVED IN THE CAPITOL AT RICHMOND. ARRANGED AND EDITED BY SHERWIN McRAE and RALEIGH COLSTON, UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF Hon. H. W. FLOUENOY, SECRETARY Of THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AND STATE LIBRARIAN. VOLUME VII. RICHMOND: J. H. O.BANNON, SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING. 1888