Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-06-03
e3at1sydey's OmzSl0ess.

Translation from the Court Gazette Of
Madrd, under the date Of March IS,
1907.
BY the greatest of outrages against hui
mainly, and against good policy, Spain was
forced by Great Britain to take part in the
present war. This power has taken to
herself an exclusive dominion of the sea
and of the commerce of the world. Her
numerous factories disseminated in every
country, are like spongeS, which suck up
their riches, without leaving them any thing
more than the semblance of mercantile
liberty. From this maritime and COM
mercial despotism are derived to England
the immense resources for sustaining war,
the object of which is TO destroy the COM
merce appertaining TO each country, and
corresponding to its industry and situation.
Experience has demonstrated that the En-
glish cabinet hesitatcs at no means that
may conduce to effect their designs, and
that while this power continues to enjoy the
benefits of her immense trade, humanity
will continue to groan under the weight of
desolating war. To put an end TO this,
and to attain solid peace, the emperor
of the French and king of Italy, issued on
the 21st of November last, decree, in
which, adopting the principle of reprisals,
ne determined on the blockade of the Bril-
fish islands; and his ambassador, his ex-
ceilency Frances de Beauharnois, grand
dignitary of the order OF the Iron Grown,
and of the Legion of Honor, sc. having
communicated it to the king, our sovereign,
who, DESTROYS to cooperate In measures
dictated by the principle of reciprocity,
has been pleased to order the serene prince,
general and admiral in chief, to- issue CIR
cular orders of the following tenour:
AS soon as England committed the hor-
rible attempt ofintercepting the frigates of
the royal navy, surprising the good faith
with which peace secures individual pro-
perty and the law of nations: his male sty
considered himself as in a state Of war
with this power, though his royal wi sus-
pended the PRONUNCIATION of the manifesto,
until he saw the cabinet of St James sup
port the atrocity committed bv its seamen
From thence forward, and without ne
cessity of warning the inhabitants Of these
Kingdoms of the circumspec tion with whic
| they ought TO conduct themselves towards
those of country wanting TO the sacred
| laws OF propriety and the rights of nations,
his majesty declared to his subjects the
state OF war which existed with shat natl
on. All intercourse, all commerce IS pro-
| hIbited in such a situation and no ideas
| ought to be entertained towards such an
enemy, but those dictated bv an honorable
spirit which puts at distance all connex-
ion with them, considering it as the vile
result of an avaTice disgraccful to those
possessing it. His majesty is we'll persua-
ded that such honorable sentiments are
deeply rooted i'm the hearts ef his beloy ed
subjects but nevertheless he will grant no
indulgence to such as may ContraYcne the
law; nor will he leave any through igno-
rance to mistake it; authorizing me 70.
that purpose to declare, that all English
property, found on board any vessel, though
it be a neutral one, If consigned 90 Spanish
, individuals, shall be confsCated. In Ike
manner shall be confscated all merchan.
I die which shall be found, though in neu.
trial vessels, whenever it shall be directed
TO the ports Of England or its islands. AnC
/ finally, his majesty, conformably to the
ideas ofhis ally, the emperor ofthe French
declares in his states, the same law a,
/ his Imperial majesty, OH principles of re.
ciprocity and propriety, has promulgated
under date of the DIST November, 1906.
/ The observance Of this determination q
his myIesty, belongs to the chiefs of provin
ces, of departments and of fleets, and II
communicating them, ] in the name OF hi
majesty, hope no occasion will be given fo1
his royal displeasure. Coo preserve you
many years.
The PRINCE,
General in chief and Hdmirai in Chief
Circular to the chiefs of provinces, and de-
! partments and fleets in Spain and IN Che
! Indies.
Hranjez, February 10, 1907.