524 
APPENDIX. 
between the United States and foreign powers, a compilation of the laws 
of the United States relating to the navy, a circular respecting the dis- 
charge of our seamen in foreign ports, another directing a quarterly report 
to be made of American vessels boarded, and a third regulating the official 
intercourse between the commanders of our ships-of-war and the consuls 
of the United States in foreign ports. 
It is important that you should keep yourself always correctly advised' 
of passing events ; and it is therefore advisable that you commence and 
continue a regular correspondence with our public and commercial agents 
within the limits of your station. 
Cases may arise which it is impossible to foresee, and to meet which 
definite instructions cannot be given ; should such occur out of the ordi- 
nary way, you must be Left to the exercise of a sound discretion. 
Our relations with the governments of the southern continent of 
America, as well as with Mexico, are on the most friendly footing ; and 
care should be taken to abstain from any act which may impair their 
present character, so far as this can be done consistently with the main- 
tenance of our own just rights. 
You will be careful, on entering any harbour, or meeting a public vessel 
of another nation, to manifest the accustomed civilities ; as we confidently 
expect them to be paid to us, it becomes us to be prompt in tendering 
them to others. 
At all places you may visit, you will encourage the best feelings to- 
wards our government, nation, citizens, and interests ; exhibiting, wherever 
an opportunity offers, that moderation and urbanity which become your 
own character and that of the government you represent. 
Should war arise on the western coast of America, it will be recollected 
that the belligerant parties are entitled to equal rights ; and tlie utmost 
caution must be observed to refrain from all acts towards either of them, 
that might have a tendency to affect or compromise our neutral character. 
Acts of kindness to either, although equally extended to the others, might 
be misconceived or misconstrued to our prejudice. You will, therefore, 
to avoid all causes of complaint, decline, if requested, taking on board the 
vessels of your squadron, for either party, men, money, provisions, or sup- 
plies, to be carried from sucli party to any port or country whatever. 
If hostilities should take place, it is probable that the parties will resort, 
as formerly, to the system of blockades, without an adequate force to 
maintain that mode of annoyance, and to the great injury and inconvenience 
of neutral vessels and commerce. 
In the event of such a state of things, you will use your best efforts 
to protect our citizens and their property from the illegal exercise of power ; 
claiming for them all the rights and privileges to which they are entitled 
by the laws of nations. At the same time you will avoid, as much as pos- 
sible, all collision with either party, without compromitting in any manner 
our own just rights and national honour. 
It is to be feared that some of the freebooters, whose depredations have 
been so successfully checked in the West Indies, and some of the priva-, 
teers and parties employed during the wars which have existed in that 
quarter, may change the scene and character of their operations, in hopes 
of finding our commerce in a defenceless state. To guard against such 
