Logan Act is a United States law that prohibits private citizens from opening negotiations with a foreign government on a dispute between that government and the United States. Congress passed the law in 1799 in reaction to the activities of George Logan, a Philadelphia Quaker. Logan had gone to Paris in 1798 to try to end a naval dispute that had led to many battles between American and French sailors. Logan did no harm, but President John Adams warned Congress that Logan could have confused and harmed the negotiations then going on. Adams said that individuals should not interfere with official diplomatic relations between nations.
Punishment for violation of the Logan Act may include up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. A number of private citizens have held controversial meetings with foreign governments through the years, but there is no evidence that anyone has ever been convicted of violating the Logan Act.
