DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
JANUARY 21, 1814.
SIR,
THE President directs, that in future you issue no commissions to private armed vessels, unless they have a complement of at least twenty officers and men, and an armament in proportion to that number of persons: Nor even then, without the construction, equipment, and preparation of the vessel, shall manifestly indicate the properties and design of a cruiser. He directs, moreover, that you immediately revoke all commissions heretofore issued by you to those of less effective force. In cases of application hereafter for commissions for vessels of this inferior class, you are to report the same to this department, with a statement of all the circumstances within your knowledge, that may lead to a probable estimate of the real objects of such small cruisers.

I remain, Sir, respectfully,
Your most ob't. serv't.
(Signed) J. Monroe
To the Collector of the customs,
Marblehead.