The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire 1793-1812, Vol II

By a report submitted to the National Convention, July 3, 1793, it appears that in the years 1787-1789 two tenths only of French commerce was done in French bottoms. In 1792, the last of maritime peace, three tenths was carried by French ships. (Moniteur, 1793, p. 804.)

357

Moniteur, An vii. p. 582; Arnould's speech.

358

Annual Register, 1804. State Papers, p. 286.

359

The exports of the French West India islands in 1788 amounted to $52,000,000, of which $40,000,000 were from San Domingo alone. (Traité d'Économie Politique et de Commerce des Colonies, par P. F. Page. Paris, An 9 (1800) p. 15.) This being for the time almost wholly lost, the effect upon prices can be imagined.

360

An American vessel arrived in Marblehead May 29, landed her cargo on the 30th and 31st, reloaded, and cleared June 3. (Robinson's Admiralty Reports, vol. v. p. 396.)

361

In the case of the brig "Aurora," Mr. Madison, the Secretary of State, wrote: "The duties were paid or secured, according to law, in like manner as they are required to be secured on a like cargo meant for home consumption; when re-shipped, the duties were drawn back with a deduction of three and a half per cent (on them), as is permitted to imported articles in all cases." (Am. State Papers, vol. ii. p. 732.)

In the case of the American ship "William," captured and sent in, on duties to the amount of $1,239 the drawback was $1,211. (Robinson's Admiralty Reports, vol. v. p. 396.) In the celebrated case of the "Essex," with which began the seizures in 1804, on duties amounting to $5,278, the drawback was $5,080. (Ibid., 405.)

362

The text of the Berlin decree can be found among the series beginning in American State Papers, vol. iii. p. 262.

363

A curious indication of the dependence of the Continent upon British manufactures is afforded by the fact that the French army, during this awful winter, was clad and shod with British goods, imported by the French minister at Hamburg, in face of the Berlin decree. (Bourrienne's Memoirs, vol. vii. p. 292.)

364

Am. State Papers, vol. ii. p. 805.

365

Cobbett's Parl. Debates, vol. xiii. Appendix, pp. xxxiv-xlv.

366

Thiers, Consulat et Empire, vol. vii. pp. 666-669.

367

Letter of Lord Howick to Mr. Monroe, Jan. 10, 1807; Am. State Papers, vol. iii. p. 5.

368

President's Message to Congress, Oct. 27, 1807; Am. State Papers, vol. iii. p. 5.

369

Correspondance de Napoléon.

370

British Declaration of September 25, 1807,—a paper which ably and completely vindicates the action of Great Britain; Annual Register, 1807, p. 735.

371

Annual Register, 1807. State Papers, p. 771.

372

Ibid., p. 739.

373

Lanfrey's Napoleon (French ed.), vol. iv. p. 153.

374

Corr. de Nap., vol. xv. p. 659.

375

Annual Register, 1807, p. 777.

376

See, for example, Cobbett's Parl. Debates, vol. viii. pp. 636 and 641-644; vol. ix. p. 87, petition of West India planters; p. 100, speech of Mr. Hibbert, and p. 684, speech of Mr. George Rose.

377

See ante, p. 273.

378

Am. State Papers, vol. iii. pp. 245-247.

379

Cobbett's Parl. Debates, vol. xiii. Appendix, pp. xxxiv-xlv.

380

Am. State Papers, vol. iii. pp. 23, 24.