It is not only unlawful for her to approach within the marine league, for the purpose of watch and menace, but it is equally unlawful for her to hover about the coast of the neutral, at any distance within plain view, for the same purposes.

All these are remote or prospective acts of war, and as such, offensive to the neutral power.

Thirdly, that when opposite belligerents meet by accident in a neutral port, if one of them departs therefrom, the other is bound to wait twenty-four hours before departing.

For the opposite belligerent to depart immediately in pursuit, is to avail herself of the neutral territory for the purpose of war.

She commits, by the very fact of sailing, a remote act of hostility which is offensive to the neutral state.
In view of the foregoing facts and principles, I respectfully request that your Excellency will cause the Iroquois to cease hovering about the coast of the island for the purpose of watching my movements; in other words, to withdraw herself out of plain sight.