In Congress Octor. 5th. 1780 Congress took into consideration the report of the Com[mitt]ee on the motion relating to the propositions of the Empress of Russia and there upon came to the following resolutions, Her imperial majesty of all the Russias attentive to the freedom of commerce and the rights of nations in her declaration to the belligerent of neutral powers having proposed regulation founded upon principles of justice, equity and moderation, of which their most Christian and Catholic majesties and most of the neutral maritime powers of Europe have declared their approbation, Congress willing to testify their regard to the rights of commerce, and their respect for the sovereign who hath proposed of the powers that have approved the said regulations resolve, That the board of Admiralty prepare and report instruction for the commanders of armed vessels commissioned by the United States conformable to the principles contained in the declaration of the Empress of all the Russians on the rights of neutral vessels - That the ministers plenipotentiary from the United States, if invited thereto, be and hereby are respectively empowe[re]d to accede to such regulations [2] conformable to the spirit of the said declaration, as may be agreed upon by the Congress expected to assemble in pursuance of the invitation of her imperial majesty. Extract from the minutes Cha Thomson Secy.