Neutrality Act of 1794
The Neutrality Act of 1794 was a United States law which made it illegal for a United States citizen to wage war against any country at peace with the United States. The Act declares in part:
If any person shall within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States begin or set on foot or provide or prepare the means for any military expedition or enterprise ... against the territory or dominions of any foreign prince or state of whom the United States was at peace that person would be guilty of a misdemeanor.
| Long title | An Act in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States. |
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| Enacted by | the 3rd United States Congress |
| Effective | June 5, 1794 |
| Citations | |
| Public law | Pub. L. 3–50 |
| Statutes at Large | 1 Stat. 381 |
| Legislative history | |
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| Major amendments | |
| Repealed and replaced by the Neutrality Act of 1818 | |
The act also forbade foreign war vessels to outfit in American waters and set a three-mile territorial limit at sea.
The act was repealed and replaced several times while also being amended and a similar statute is in force as 18 U.S.C. § 960.