Star.
London, England, 1808-11-16 00:00:00

cOMMZRCL

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The political events have been imfavourable to.
commerce. It still was kept alive in the midst of the
contentions that have deluged the Continent in blood,
because those nations that were involved in the war
preferred their neutrality—that right deemed even in
our times inviolable. But .the English Legislation,
'already misled by the ambition of- universal mono-
poly, has overthrown the ancient barrier of the law of
nations, and trampled their independence under foot,
substituting in the room of them a new maritime
code. The ordinances of his Britannic Majesty have
realized these innovations : that of the 11th of No-
vember, 1807, is particularly remarkable ; it pro-
nounces, by an universal blockade, the interdiction of
all our ports, in subjecting the ships of neutral Powers,
friendly and even allied to Great'Britain, to the visi-
tation of its cruizers, to be conducted to British ports,
land there to be taxed by an arbitrary inquisition.

The Emperor, oblijed to oppose just reprisals to
this strange legislation, gave out the decree of the ittd
of November, ordaining the seizure and confiscation
of the ships which, after having touched in England,
should enter the ports of France. From these mea-
sures, provoked by the British the almost ab-
solute cessation of the maritime relations, and many
privations for the French merchants, manufacturers,
and consumers, must have necessarily ensued. We
all know with what resignation these privations were
endured: we know that they are already become ha-
bitual, that they have awakened the genius of inven-
tion, and produced a thousand resources in substitu-
tion of the objects which we are in want of; we
}now, finally, that a Great Nation, essentially agri-
cultural, can, by possessing in abundance all articles
of utility, easily forego those which only form cer-
tain luxuries or conveniences of life, particularly when
its independence and glory should be put at stake.
These circumstances have favoured one of. the
greatest scourges of commerce, smuggling. But it
has been strongly repressed. The Government is pre-,
paringsneW means against this foe to the public reve-
nue, and national industry : the great emoluments it
procures excites the most ardent cupidity. These,
who ought not to be honoured with the approbation of
sr.erchants, lest we should degrade commerce, are
st;11 devoting themselves to criminal peculation:; they
think they are only braving the shame of an ordinary
transgression : but the ptiblic indignation and ven-
geance will overtake them, and teach them, that under
circumstances where thenation employs for its defence,
in an unexampled war, the interdiction of all corn.
verci_il relations with the enemy, . the violation of
thee dispositions is an hostile declaration, a true alli-
slue with din same enemy 0 that consequently every

smuggler tent:42oes the benefit of the municipal laws 1
to be subjected solely to those of war, and that ite
ought to dread the terrible and rapid application of
those laws which authorise the invasion of his fortune
and personal castigation.
The Government, penetrated with the situation of
she French commerce, has strove to mitigite the evils,
to provide for its wants.-
Abroad, a treaty with the kingdom of Italy secures
to France all the advantages which are compatible
with reciprocal justice. In the interior, various sums
have been advanced to manufacturers and proprietors
of produce, which public events had accumulated or
cramped in their stores.
The Caisse d'Amortissement has interfered in the
outfittings of adventures.
A law has limited the bounds of the interest on
money • offices established at Lyons and at Rouen
are preliminary to a grand system of facility in the
circulation of specie and merchandize.
The Exchange and the Commercial Tribunal of
Paris see rising for their accommodation a stately
Palace, on the scite of the nunnery of St. Thomas.
Conformably to the new code, an organization of
the Tribunals of Commerce of the Empire is prepar-
ing. The Prefects, the Courts of Appeal, have been
consulted on the most eligible scites for these Tribu-
nals, as well as on the subject of their number, the
Judges, and their Surrogates. A general project has
been submitted to the discussion of the Council of
State, and to the sanction of his Majesty.