President George Washington Issues Neutrality Proclamation
In April 1793, President George Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation amid escalating tensions between Great Britain and France. This proclamation was significant as it established the United States' intent to remain neutral in the conflict, which arose following the French Revolution and the subsequent war declared by Britain against France. Washington's decision was influenced by the fact that the U.S. had strong ties to both nations; Britain was a major trading partner, while France had supported American independence during the Revolutionary War.
The proclamation emphasized the importance of impartiality and warned U.S. citizens against engaging in activities that could favor either side, thereby underscoring the nascent nation's desire to avoid entanglement in foreign conflicts. Washington made it clear that those who acted against this policy would not receive protection under U.S. law. This stance was rooted in a broader strategy to safeguard American interests and maintain peace as the young nation sought to define its place in a turbulent international landscape. Washington's Neutrality Proclamation laid the groundwork for American foreign policy in the years to come and reflected the complexities of navigating international relations during a period of significant upheaval.
President George Washington Issues Neutrality Proclamation
President George Washington Issues Neutrality Proclamation
In April 1793, Great Britain went to war with the new Republic of France, established after the overthrow of King Louis XVI. The United States was caught in the middle, unwilling to take sides against either the powerful British Empire or the French, who had aided the Americans during the American Revolution. Further, there were substantial trade interests with both countries. On April 22, 1793, President George Washington declared that the United States would be neutral, and issued a famous proclamation to that effect.
The proclamation is set forth below:
Whereas it appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherlands, of the one part, and France on the other; and the duty and interest of the United States require, that they should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent Powers.
I have therefore thought fit by these presents to declare the disposition of the United States to observe the conduct aforesaid towards those Powers respectfully; and to exhort and warn the citizens of the United States carefully to avoid all acts and proceedings whatsoever, which may in any manner tend to contravene such disposition.
And I do hereby also make known, that whatsoever of the citizens of the United States shall render himself liable to punishment or forfeiture under the law of nations, by committing, aiding, or abetting hostilities against any of the said Powers, or by carrying to any of them those articles which are deemed contraband by the modern usage of nations, will not receive the protection of the United States, against such punishment or forfeiture; and further, that I have given instructions to those officers, to whom it belongs, to cause prosecutions to be instituted against all persons, who shall, within the cognizance of the courts of the United States, violate the law of nations, with respect to the Powers at war, or any of them.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed to these presents, and signed the same with my hand. Done at the city of Philadelphia, the twenty-second day of April, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the seventeenth.