Decree of the Executive Directory, of October 29, 1798.
The Executive Directory, upon the report of the Minister of Foreign Relations, considering that the fleets, privateers, and ships, of England and Russia, are in part equipped by foreigners.
Considering that this violation is a manifest abuse of the rights of nations, and that the powers of Europe have not taken any measures to prohibit it. Decrees:
1st. Every individual, native (ou originaire) of friendly countries, allied to the French Republic, or neutral, bearing a commission, granted by the enemies of France, or making part of the crews of ships of war, and others, enemies, shall be by this single fact declared a pirate, and treated as such, without being permitted in any case to allege that he had been forced into such service by violence, threats, or otherwise.
2d. The Executive Directories of the Batavian, Lagurian, Cisalpine, and Roman Republics, shall be instructed to this effect.
3d. The provisions contained in the first article shall be notified to those powers which are neutral or allied to the French Republic.
4th. The Ministers of Exterior Relations is charged with the execution of the present arrêt which shall be printed in the Bulletin of the Laws.
(Signed)
TERILHARD, President.
The message and documents were read, and ordered to lie on the table.