Contemporary manuscript copy of an Act of Congress restoring trade with St. Domingo (modern-day Haiti), secretarially signed for President John Adams and Secretary of State Timothy Pickering, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 9.75, June 26, 1799. Accomplished in an unknown hand, the text reads, in full: "Whereas by an Act of Congress of the United States passed the ninth day of February last, entitled 'An Act further to suspend the commercial Intercourse between the United States and France and the dependences thereof,' it is provided, that at any time after the passing of this act, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, if he shall deem it expedient and consistent with the interest of the United States, by his order to remit & discontinue for the time being the restraints and prohibitions by the said act imposed, either with respect to the French Republic, or to any Island, port or place belonging to the said Republic, with which a commercial intercourse may be safely renewed; and also to revoke such order, whenever in his opinion the interest of the United States shall require; and he is authorised to make proclamation accordingly.
And whereas the arrangements which have been made at St. Domingo for the safety of the commerce of the United States, and for the admission of American Vessels into that Island, do in my opinion render it expedient and for the interest of the United States to renew a commercial intercourse with the same, Therefore I, John Adams, President of the United States, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the above recited act, do hereby remit and discontinue the restraints and prohibitions therein contained within the limits and under the regulations here following, to wit:
1. It shall be lawful for vessels which have departed or may depart from the United States to enter the ports of Cape Francois and Port Republicain, formerly called Port au Prince, in the said island of St. Domingo, on and after the 1st day of August next.
2. No vessel shall be cleared for any other port in St. Domingo, than Cape Francois and Port Republicain.
3 It shall be lawful for vessels which shall enter the said ports of Cape Francois & Port Republicain to depart from thence to any other port in said Island provided it be done with the consent of the Government of St. Domingo, and pursuant to certificates or passports expressing such consent, signed by the Consul General of the United States, or Consul residing at the port of departure.
4. All vessels sailing in contravention of these regulations will be out of the protection of the United States, and be moreover, liable to capture, seizure, and confiscation." In fine condition, with small losses to the hinge and edges.
