Act Further to Protect the Commerce of the United States
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The Act Further to Protect the Commerce of the United States, (Laws United States, vol. 4. p. 163.) was an act of Congress approved July 9, 1798, authorizing the President of the United States to use military force in the Quasi War with France.
Section one says:
"That the President of the United States shall be, and he is hereby authorized to instruct the commanders of the public armed vessels which are, or which shall be employed in the service of the United States, to subdue, seize and take any armed French vessel, which shall be found within the jurisdictional limits of the United States, or elsewhere, on the high seas, and such captured vessel, with her apparel, guns and appurtenances, and the goods or effects which shall be found on board the same, being French property, shall be brought within some port of the United States, and shall be duly proceeded against and condemned as forfeited; and shall accrue and be distributed, as by law is or shall be provided respecting the captures which shall be made by the public armed vessels of the United States."
