Star.
London, England, 1803-07-01 00:00:00

BLOCKADE Ol' THE ELBE.

This meafure, which we yellerday Rated to have
been determined by Government, appears to meet
with very general approbation. Unfortunately in-
nocent third parties are the firß victims of the animo-
fity of the belligerents. But the example is natural
as well as old. It is the peaceful inhabitants of the
marfli that are trodden under font, when the nobler
animals engage in fist ions combat. We may regret that
Hamburgh is involved in the calamities of a war be-
tween France and England ; but England mull now
fuftain the dignity of her caufe, and difplay the extent
of her power, or (he mull be contented to tater the
inflictions of bold and enterprifing guilt.
In fart it is France and not England that is to
blame for all the evils that may arife to neutral na-
tions from the interruption of their commerce in the
public ways and privileged paffages of Europe. Ha-
.over wa. protected by the Treaty of Luneville ;
the French did live in peace with that State; they
,-oncluded peace with that Rate while they were at
war with England. They recognized the principle
of a total feparation of interells and policy. In fad
Hanover Hever did or could have been expelled to
furnifli any aid to England. in fupport of the war,
though by the practice of all nations it might have
happened that Treaties exillect by which Hanover
thould have been bound to furnifh us with a certain
number of auxiliary forces. That would not have
been a breach of neutrality.
By thefe ads of injußiee, being in poffeffion of the
ports which command the navigation of the Elbe,
and making k the &ft ad of poireffion to exclude the
of England from it, they took that river out of
the line of neutrality. They made it French. If the
Elbe be neutral, why is it not neutral for England ?
If it be French by conqueß, it may be treated as
All thefe inconvenienciesarife from permitting bel-
ligerent powers to infringe neutral rights from wan-
tonncfs. If the King of Prullia (ball ultimately ful
far by the obllruaion of the trade of his States, fo
tar as it depends upon this channel of communica-
tion, let him eaufe the rights of German neutrality to
be better refpeaed. Let him ceafe to invite, or to
connive at the injuflice of Fiance, or at leaß, let him
vainly hope to profit by it.
The French by the vigour and boldnefs of their
. proceedings, have (truck an awe upon Europe, which
far outweighs the difadvantage of the reprobation
, which mutt attend their excefes. The tenor of the
French, like that of the Roman name, is now be.
come an inarument of conqueß and a pledge of obe.
dience. , We are far from recommending die fyflem
in all its parts, but, the decifion feparated from the
injußice, the prompt aiertion of dignity purified
from the boillerous arrogance, may be imitated with
advantage. If neutral powers fee that they mull be
contented to Infer from us what they endure from
France, they will bi more anxious when they can to
confine Prance within due limits of neutrality. Why
I did the Limo of Pa ussia with fuck vigilance defend
the neutrality of the North of Germany !aft war ?
Has the Treaty of Luneville, and the entire arrange-
ment of the indemnities, rendered Hanover lefs en-
titled to the tights of an independent Rate, and a
co-elate of the Germanic Empire !
To whatever confequences the-mature may lead,
it mull be the policy of this country, to thew that in
every point of attack we have it in our power to in-
Aid more injury than we fuller. This is the argument
.which alone teems faked to the times in which we
live. We mull multiply our refources and increafe
our force by the activity with which they are exerted,
and the courage with which they are difplayed.—
We hall then pacts that confidence of our own
I Rrengtb which is effential to loads, and infpire in
others that opinion of it which is necefary to avert
their hollility, to command their refpea, and to
gain their co-operation. We mull quit °origins like
men, aad be Rrong. If we are to remain a great
ration in Europe, we can be great only by the maxims
and conduct by which all nations have acquired and
maintained diflinaion. We with moll fincerely that',
peace could be reflored. and we timid confider the 1
chances of feenrity for its continuance far faperior to
almoff any advantage of terms. But, being at wat,
we are equally convinced that nothing but a bold.
enterprifing fpirit —nothing but a refolute determina-
tion to do all that may win or deferre fuccefs, can
bring us fafe to the conclufion of it. Every thing
depends upon the refult—our future tranquillity, re-
putation and hate—
Tls
■ Will char so over, or digest as wow.*
It will either give. new lußre to our pre-eminence,
or it will plunge us at once into gamy and ruin.