Salas 1

Martha Salas
1 October 2015
Document #4: The Proclamation of Neutrality 1793
This document includes a short essay written by the first president of the United States
himself, George Washington, signed on the date April 22, 1773. The short essay outlines what is
referred to as the The Proclamation of Neutrality 1793. In the paper Washington explains the
United States neutral stance on the war occurring in the European countries of Austria, Prussia,
Sardinia, Great Britain, France and the United Netherlands. He did not want for any citizen of
the United States to become involved and or become hostile to any of the mentioned countries
during their time of war. The president was so very much against any one persons involvement
that he declared in the paper that any citizen who did become entangled in any of the warring
European countries would not receive any aid from the United States.

Why did Washington refuse to protect any Americans who aided the warring nations?
There was certainly a reason for which why Washington stated that he would
refuse to help any Americans who opted to aid the warring European nations. In the
document he states, 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, will not receive the protection of the United
States. Washington wished that the United States stay neutral in thier position during
the time that the European countries of of Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain,
France and the United Netherlands were having conflicts. If they were to help a citizen of
the United States who had become involved in some way with this war than it would only
validate the persons actions and make it appear that the United States also supported
their action for which ever country they had aided or violated.

Who were the major belligerents in the European war?

There were several major belligerents involved in the European war at the time.

The countries of Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, France and the United Netherlands
were all involved in the war.