Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-02-26
A REPUBLICAN.

NAPOLEON, by the Grace of God, and by
the Constitutions. emperor ofthe French
king at Italy and protector of the confe-
Iteration of the Rhine
Considering the dispositions decrced bv
tie British government. dated the 18th No
vember last past, which subject the vessels
OF friendly neutral nations. and also the al
lies o. ENGLAND not only to the visit of En-
cl;sh crnizers, hut even to n particular sta
ton in England, and to arbitrary impo-
sitian ola cert in per centum on their car.
goes TO be establishedby the English Legis-
laturc:
Considering that by this act, the English
government hath deprived oil their distinc-
tive national quality [denazionalizzato) the
vessels Of all the nations os Europe; that
it is not in the power of any government to
suffer an infringement of its independence
ard rights--aH the sovereigns OF Europe
briag conformity grantees TO the sovereign
ty aud independence of their flags; that if
by an inexcusI5lc weakness, which would
be an indeiible stain In the eyes of posteritv,
such tyranny were permitted to become a
principal and consecrated by use, the En-
glisb would from thence deduce claim to
establish it into right, rs they have area-
dy proited by the federation OF governments,
to establish the infamous principle, that the
to their right of blockade an extension ar
bitrary and derogatory to the sovereignty of
every state; We have deCreed and do de-
cree as follows
ARTICLE l. Every vessel, to whatsoever
nation 1t may belong, which shall have suf-
fered the visit of an English vessel, or shall
have submitted to a voyage to England. or
shall have paid any duty whatever to the
English government, is for that reason alone
declared obe deprived other distinctive ma
tjonal gu !ity, has lost tic guarantee OF her
flag, and has become EDglish property.
The above mentioned vessels thus de-
I'rived Of their national distinction by the
arbitrary measures of the English govern
rlent, are declared to be good and lawful
prizes, as well in Use thew enter our port,
or those Of our allies IS also on our case
they fall IN the power OF our vessels of war
or privateers.
8. Ehc British islands are declared to be
IN a state Of blockade as well by sea as by
iahd. Every vessel of whatsoe yer nation
Or whatsoever be ner cargo coming from
the ports England or from English colonies,
is gnoa prize, as coptravening the present
decrea--Ihey shalIhe captured by our ves
sells Of war, or by our privateers and shall
be adjudged to the captors.
18th. Tncse measures, which are but
JUST JSSi pE'City ~~lDf the DNrDarCuS system
adopted by the English government, which
assimilIates its legslAticnto that of Algiers,
shall cease to have their effect with res
pect to ali Those nations, which may sue
coed in compelling the British government
to respect their aag They shall continue
to be in force during all such time as this
government shall fail to return to the prin-
ciples of the right of war, witch govern
the relations of civilized nations in a state
Of war.
The dispositions of the present decree
shall be abrogated, and null in fact, so soon
as the English government shall have re-
tsrned to those principles of the law of ma
tions which are equally the principles of
justice and honor.
5th. All the ministers are charged with
the execution of the present decree, which
shall be published, and inserted in the bull
letin Of the laws.
Given from our royal palace of Milan,
the 18th day of Dec. 1907.
NAPOLEON.
BY the Emperor and King,
The minister Secretary Of State,
a. AILDIN.