The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Letter of 13th. Instant to his Excellency the President, and one from Chevr Jones to him of 6th. August last, with a Copy of a Letter from Mr. Soulanges to the Judges and Consuls at Nantes, informing that the Algerines had declared War against the United States. And also a Motion of the Honorable Mr. Pinckney of 17th. October Inst.—1 Reports—

That this Declaration of War being unprovoked, and made solely with Design to acquire Plunder, it would not in the Opinion of your Secretary, become the United States to answer it by Overtures for Peace, or Offers of Tribute.—

That Duplicates of the Dispatches relative to Treaties with the Barbary States carried by Capt: Lamb, who it seems had not arrived when Doctr. Franklin left France, should be forthwith sent to our Ministers, with Instructions to proceed with the other States, but to take no Notice of Algiers.—

That both the Honor and Interest of the United States demand that decided and vigourous Measures be taken for protecting the american Trade and meeting these predatory Enemies in a proper Manner.—

That it should be recommended to the american Merchants who traffic to Spain, Portugal, the Mediterranean and to the Madeiras and Canaries, to employ none but Vessels well armed and manned; and as the Expence of complying with this Recommendation would exceed the usual Profits of their Voyages, your Secretary thinks it should be

Resolved, That every american built Ship capable of carrying twenty Guns or more, which any american Merchant may desire to send to those Parts for Trade, shall be supplied by the United States with military Stores, and with Money to pay the Men necessary to man her. And that an Ordinance directing the Manner in which this Resolution shall be executed, be immediately prepared.

That in the Opinion of your Secretary five forty Gun Ships should be forthwith built and put under the Direction of a brave experienced Commodore, for the Purpose of cruising in those Seas, during the Seasons proper for it.

That the Board of Admiralty should be organized and put in Condition to execute its Functions; and that in his Opinion one good Commissioner would be more useful and responsible than any greater Number.—

That a requisition should be made to the States for the Supplies necessary for the Purposes aforesaid.—

That a Minister or Envoy should be sent to Portugal, and instructed, among other Things, to negociate for such an Alliance,2 as may provide for a Cooperation of Forces and mutual Defence against the common Enemy, and restrain both Nations from making a separate Peace. That to favor this Design, and on Condition of their acceeding to such Proposals, it would be well to agree that no portugal Productions should be imported in the United States, nor any american Productions imported into portugal Ports, except in the Vessels of Portugal or the United States. Such a Restriction would make it the Interest, and consequently the Wish of other commercial Nations, rather to see the War terminated than continued. Were it not for the Stipulations with France, Sweden &c. whereby they are to be treated like the most favoured Nations, your Secretary thinks that it would be politic to prohibit all Nations at Peace with Algiers from bringing any Thing to this Country which was not produced in their own; and also from carrying any Thing from hence, except on their own Account, as directly to their own Ports—As Arguments may be drawn from these Stipulations against such a Prohibition, it might occasion Discontent and Complaint—but he nevertheless thinks it merits Enquiry, whether the Condition of War against Algiers, would not be a good Consideration to ground it upon, and whether the Prohibition would end with the War, it ought to be considered as a Violation of those Stipulations.—

Your Secretary takes the Liberty of observing that he has calculated the aforegoing Report on a Presumption the United States extend their Views and Wishes to naval Strength and maritime Importance; and he thinks the Time is ^come^ for the final and decided Determination of this Question Vizt—Whether it would be more wise in the United States to withdraw their Attention from the Sea, and permit Foreigners to fetch and carry for them; or to persevere in concerting and pursuing such Measures as may conduce to render them a maritime Power? It is only in the latter Case, that this Report will deserve any Attention—3

As to the Motion referred to your Secretary, he thinks the Measure recommended in it would be Expedient, except with Respect to Algiers, to whom in his Opinion no Overtures should now be made.—

All which is submitted to the Wisdom of Congress.