From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 26 May 1794
To the United States Senate and House of Representatives
United States 26. May 1794.
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.
The Commissioners of his Catholic Majesty having communicated to the Secretary of State the form of a Certificate, without which the vessels of the United States cannot be admitted into the ports of Spain; I think it proper to lay it before Congress.1
Go: Washington
LS, DNA: RG 46, Third Congress, 1793-95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; copy, DNA: RG 233, Third Congress, House Records of Legislative Proceedings, Journals; LB, DLC:GW.
1. The form required the merchant to certify "that the cargo here shipped by him . . . are of the growth or produce of the United States of America (which I the said Notary or Magistrate also attest) and that no part thereof are of the produce of France or her Colonies nor have the same or any part thereof received any advantage or improve[me]nt in France or any of its dependencies nor in any manner contributed to its revenues and the said deponent further says that the said cargo so shipped is the sole property of him the deponent & that they are citizens of the United States of America & resident merchant of the said City of ________” and a magistrate and notary to certify "that the said goods are of the produce or manufacture of the said United States of America & that I am well informed that the said shipment is bona fide intended for the Port of ________ in the kingdom of Spain” (DNA: RG 46, Third Congress, 1793-95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages).