Whereas, it appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherland, of the one part; and France on the other and the duty and interests of the United States require that they should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial towards the beli gerent 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 ex hort 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.