JOHN ADAMS.
United States, June 22, 1797.
Report of the Secretary of State to the President of the United States, respecting the depredations committed on the commerce of the United States:
1. Abstract of two cases of capture made by the British cruisers of vessels belonging to citizens of the United States since the first of October, 1796, and wherein documents have been received at the Department of State; also a copy of a memorandum filed by S. Smith, Esq., relating to captures made by the British of vessels in the property of which he was concerned. No documents accompany the two cases of capture above mentioned, they having been sent to London, in order that compensation might be obtained for the damages suffered.
2. A correct copy of the decree of the Executive Directory of March 2, 1797.
3. Copies of documents remaining in the Department of State, relative to American vessels captured or condemned by the French, since the first of October, 1796.
4. Extracts from communications from the Consuls of the United States, relative to depredations committed on the commerce of the United States by the French.
5. Schedule of the names of American vessels captured by the French, and of the circumstances attending them, extracted from the Philadelphia Gazette, and Gazette of the United States, and commencing with July, 1796.
6. Extract of a letter from Rufus King, Esq., Minister, &c., enclosing the protest of William Martin, master of the Cincinnatus, of Baltimore, relative to the torture inflicted on the said Martin by a French cruiser.
Mr. Giles moved that the above papers should be referred to a select committee, to print such as would be useful to the House.