[Dead Corpse]

Hey there Mrs. Mith. I was wondering when you'd show up. That doesn't say what you are asserting it does. That only applies to those merchant ships acting under the authority of the US against the French. Period. Hence the "Against French Depredations" part.

Regulating the "militia" as it were. If a ships Captain wanted to commission his ship to the US for the fight, he had to follow the rules.

So would it be if I joined up with the militia when called. I would be expected to follow the orders of those officers appointed over me.

This says NOTHING about civilian ownership of arms, ship board or otherwise, for those not involved in official US actions.

[mrsmith]

"That only applies to those merchant ships acting under the authority of the US against the French"

"no armed merchant vessel of the United States shall receive a clearance or permit, or shall be suffered to depart "

LOL!