First.  In exercising the powers granted by the act of Congress entitled “An act further to protect the commerce of the United States,” passed the 9th day of July, 1798, and which is hereto annexed, the regulations therein prescribed are to be strictly attended to and observed.

Second.  The powers of capturing and recapturing granted by the said act being pointed solely and exclusively against French armed vessels and those vessels, goods, and effects of citizens of the United States or of persons resident therein which shall have been captured by the French, the rights of all other nations are to be duly respected, and they are not to be molested in their persons or property; consequently American vessels and property captured by the commissioned vessels of such of those other nations as are at war are not to be recaptured by the armed vessels of the United States.  Nevertheless, any vessels found on the high seas may be examined in such manner as shall be necessary to ascertain whether they are or are not armed French vessels, or “vessels the property of or employed by any citizen of the United States or person resident therein, or having on board any goods or effects belonging to any such citizen or resident,” that have been captured by the French.  But if they are of neither of these descriptions they are to be dismissed with as little delay as possible.  And in making such examination care is to be taken that no injury be done to the vessel or to the persons or property on board her.  It peculiarly becomes a nation like the American, contending for her just rights and defending herself against insults and injuries, to respect the rights of others and studiously to avoid not only the outrage and the inhumanity but even the incivility of which itself complains.  It is hoped that Americans will be as distinguished for their justice and humanity as for their bravery and love of true liberty.  If, on the contrary, any of the officers or crews of American armed vessels shall practice any cruelty or inhumanity contrary to the usage of civilized nations, the offenders will be severely punished.

Third.  For the purposes of the act aforesaid you will consider the “high seas” to extend to low-water mark on all the coasts of France and her dominions and of all places subject to her power in any part of the world, and exercise accordingly the powers of capturing and recapturing granted by the act aforesaid.  By the same rule, seeing a war exists between Great Britain and France, you may capture and recapture as aforesaid on all the coasts of the British dominions and of all places subject to the British power.  But you are to refrain from exercising the aforesaid powers of capturing and recapturing in waters which are under the protection of any other nations, that their peace and sovereignty may remain unviolated.  If, however, any armed French vessel, regardless of the rights of these other nations, shall within their jurisdictional limits attack or capture any vessel, goods, or effects the property of citizens of or residents in the United States, and you are able to attack and take such armed French vessel or to retake her prize within the jurisdictional limits of such nations, you are to do it, provided their governments, respectively, or the commanders or governors in chief in such places give their permission.