h had commenced many years before， was then the only conflict that remained unsettled. this being a contest between different parts of the same community， in which other powers had not interfered， was not affected by their accommodations.
this contest was considered at an early stage by my predecessor a civil war in which the parties were entitled to equal rights in our ports. this decision， the first made by any power， being formed on great consideration of the comparative strength and resources of the parties， the length of time， and successful opposition made by the colonies， and of all other circumstances on which it ought to depend， was in strict accord with the law of nations. congress has invariably acted on this principle， having made no change in our relations with either party. our attitude has therefore been that of neutrality between them， which has been maintained by the government with the strictest impartiality. no aid has been afforded to either， nor has any privilege been enjoyed by the one which has not been equally open to the other party， and every exertion has been made in its power to enforce the execution of the laws prohibiting illegal equipments with equal rigor against both.
by this equality between the parties their public vessels have been received in our ports on the same footing； they have enjoyed an equal right to purchase and export arms， munitions of war， and every other supply， the exportation of all articles whatever bein
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