I have received a letter from his Excellency Charles Pinckney, Esq., Governor of the State of South Carolina, dated the 22d October, 1797, enclosing a number of depositions and witnesses to several captures and outrages committed within and near the limits of the United States, by a French privateer belonging to Cape Francois, or Monte Christo, called the Vertitude or Fortitude, and commanded by a person of the name of Jordon or Jourdain, and particularly upon an English merchant ship named the Oracabissa, which he first plundered and then burned, with the rest of her cargo, of great value, within the territory of the United States, in the harbor of Charleston, on the 17th of October last. Copies of which letter and depositions, and also of several other depositions relative to the same subject, received from the Collector of Charleston, are herewith communicated.
Whenever the channel of diplomatical communication between the United States and France shall be opened, I shall demand satisfaction for the insult and reparation for the injury.
I have transmitted these papers to Congress, not so much for the purpose of communicating an account of so daring a violation of the territory of the United States, as to show the propriety and necessity of enabling the Executive authority of Government to take measures for protecting the citizens of the United States and such foreigners as have a right to enjoy their peace, and the protection of their laws, within their limits, in that as well as some other harbors which are equally exposed.
JOHN ADAMS.
United States, February 5, 1798.
This Message, with the documents accompanying it, was referred to the committee for considering on proper measures for the protection and defence of the country.
Breach of Privilege.
Mr. Sewall moved the House to take up the report of the Committee of Privileges, in order that it might be committed to a Committee of the Whole.
Mr. R. Williams wished to know whether evidence could be heard in a Committee of the Whole.