April 22 1793 Proclamation Neutrality

### About this speech George Washington April 22, 1793 Source Miller Center Washington declares United States neutrality in the face of emerging European conflicts. He warns citizens not to undermine the neutrality of the country at the risk of prosecution. [Presidential Speeches](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches) | George Washington Presidency ## April 22, 1793: Proclamation of Neutrality ### Transcript Whereas it appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherlands, on 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 towards 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 respectively; 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 whosoever 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. Previous [March 4, 1793: Second Inaugural Address](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/march-4-1793-second-inaugural-address) Next [December 3, 1793: Fifth Annual Message to Congress](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/december-3-1793-fifth-annual-message-congress) ### More George Washington speeches [View all George Washington speeches](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches?field_president_target_id\[44\]=44) [December 3, 1793: Fifth Annual Message to Congress](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/december-3-1793-fifth-annual-message-congress) transcript icon [August 7, 1794: Proclamation against Opposition to Execution of Laws and Excise Duties in Western Pennsylvania](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/august-7-1794-proclamation-against-opposition-execution-laws) transcript icon [September 25, 1794: Proclamation of Militia Service](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/september-25-1794-proclamation-militia-service) transcript icon [November 19, 1794: Sixth Annual Message to Congress](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/november-19-1794-sixth-annual-message-congress) transcript icon [July 10, 1795: Proclamation of Pardons in Western 
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