Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-09-13

~ 'hS property OF INDIVIDUALS, the right OF
| conquest, which can only be applied or ex-
tended TO what belongs TO an enemy state I;
q. That she extends to ports not fortified,
to harbors and mouths of rivers, the right
Iof6lockade, which, according TO reason and
the usage of civilized nations, is applicable
only TO strong or fortified ports;
5. That she declares blockaded places be.
fore which she has not single vessel OF war,
although place ought not To be considered
blockaded bur when it is so invested as that
no approach to it can be made without i'm.
minent hazard; that she declares even pla-
ces blockaded which her united forces would
he incapable OF doing, such as entire coasts,
and whole empire;
6. That this unequal abuse of the right of
blockade has no other object than to- inter
rupt the communications of different nati.
ons, and 10 extend the commerce and i'm
dustry OF England upon the ruin of those of
the continent;
T. That this being the evident design of
England, whoever deals on the continent in
English merchandise favors that design, and
becomes an accomplish;
8. That this conduct in England (worthy
lonly Of the first ages of barbarism) has be-
'nefitted her to the detriment OF other ma
tons;
9. That it being right TO oppose to any e.
neny the same arms she makes use of, to
combat as she does; when all ideas of JUS
tice, and every liberal sentiment CHE re-
suit OF civilization among men) are disre-
garded: fe
We have resolved to enforce against En-
gland the usages which she has conseCrated
in her mar time code.
The present decree shall be considered
as the fundamental law of the empire, una
I'll England has acknowledged that Their gifts
0f mar are the same Oh land as at sea, that
1t cannot be extended to any private pro-
perty whatever, nor to persons who are not
military, and until the right f block ade be
restrained tn fortified places actually invest
ed by competent forces
Article L. The British islands are in a
state of blockade.
2. All commerce and correspondence with
them is prohibited. Consr quentiy, all let
teis or packets written ia England or 10 an
Engllshmau, 4vritten in fhe English IAN
StaSe, shallnot be dispatched from the post
offices, and shall be seized.
3 Every individual, subject Of Great
Britain, of whatever rank or condition, who
IS found in countries occupied by our troops
OF those of our allies, shall be made prson-
err of war.
q. Every warehouse, an merchandise OF
property Whatever belonging to an English
nan, are declared good prize.
5. One half of the proceeds of merchan-
dize declared tn be good prize, and forfeit
ed as in the preceding articles, shall go to
indemnify merchants WIN have suffered los-
ses by the English Cru sers
6. No vessel coming directly from En-
gland or her colonies, or having been there
since the publication Of this decree, shall be
admitted into any port.
| z. Every vessel that, by false declara-
ton, contravenes the foregoing. disposition,
shall be seized, and the ship and cargo CON-.
fscated as English properly.
J 8. This article states, that the councils
OF prizes at Paris and at Milan shall have
rccognzance of what may arise in the en-
pire and IN Italy under the present arti-
eel
9 Communications of this decree shall he
made to the kings of Spain, Naples, iol-
land, Etruria, and TO our other allies, whose
subjects, as well as ours, are victims OF the
injustice and barbarity of the English ma.
rhine code.
10. Cor ministers of foreign relations,
SC. are charged with the execution of the
present decree. NAPOLEON.
BY the emperor,
II. +. MARET,
SECRETARY pf STATE