The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-08
did not make his seat totter beneath him, the per-
turbations OF the occupant might at least have
caused it to shake.
CHATTER v.

Napoleon Determines 20 Force the United States iao HIS Var
-Bascnne Decree April 1908, Accessory 70 ne En-
bargo-Repeal Of the Embargo and Non Intercourse
Substitated harch, ls0e-Napoleon Refriiats-His
Treaty arih INTERCHANGEABLE Repeal Of Non
Inercoswss Acs-Repeal Of NapoIeon's and &e British
Edtcs-Wdr Besveer United States and GTedt Britrfn
Continued atoai S.arci and Inipressment-lfedfy o.
lsl6-Is Total Silence al the DisriRed Foms-
Subsequent Neectiqtio,F Partial Cam q our OBJECTS,
ye by he Way-rndeasnity for SPoa'ioas, by Fame,
Spain and Portugal
Napoleon had seized in the latter part of 1907,
under his several DEGREES, large number of Ameri-
can vessels which he held in sequestraton only
awaiting before deciding their fate the final course
OF the United States. The embargo ne was well sa-
tisfed with, but that measure could not be perpe-
tual He feared the opposition of the commercial
States might lead to It's repeal Upon its cessation,
whenever that should occur, provided England had
not yet been forced from the ground, one of two
results was certain-the United States must either
declare war against England or fall back into the
old course of tame submission to insult and injury.
That the former course would be chosen, the evil
dences of national spirit he had seen did not give
him perfect assurance So he determined to hold a
pledge for our good behavior
In February, 1908, his council recommended a
modification of his DEGREES in regard to the United
States He is said to have replied Indignantly, that
there should be neutrals in this war-that the
United States should be compelled to become either
his ally or his enemy. II must be considered that
the modification thus suggested would have had no
other effect than to benefit England by the commerce
OF the United States, while England would herself
have cut off, under her orders of November, the
American trade from the Continent. The Americans
could not ask that he should allow commerce in
IoI a. tr;l...
The fact is, the Orders of November, and the re-
taiatory Decree of Milan as well, were acts
OF universal war, declared in the most plain and
direct sense. There was no escape from either, but
utter exclusion from the outer world. That position
nation like America would not and could not long
hold and when she appeared on the stage again,
she would be the subject OF war; whatever she might
assume about her neutrality. She would be doubly
attacked party, in an element where neutrality
could not live. Against one or both she must
make war. If she yielded to the party most able to
injure her. and escaped the other party while so
doing she yet became the efficient ally Of that party
against the other; and this, while the world was
enforcing her own principles relating to such al
liances, against England, was not to be admitted
with the idea that America still retained neutral
position. II Napoleon had not decreed, circum-
did yet enforce the necessity of America be-
coming belligerent. That is, as circumstances
were then shaped.
In April, 1908, Napoleon issued the Bayonne de-
cree the object OF which was to assist in enforcing
l
alliance with him. as having q common object, he
ordered that, as American vessels could not lawful
~ sail from their own country, all OF them entering
any ports under his domnions, or in his alliance,
should be seized. The pretext was, of course, ut
teriy unjustfablc and was but another evidence of
NapoleOns determination to force us to an issue.
He thus endeavored to enlarge his pledges for our
active cooperation with him, and in the event OF
fusal-perhaps even without regard thereto-to Sc
cure respectable contribution to his military chest.
Early in 1909, Mr.. jefferson, upon advice from
John Quincy Adams, based upon the state Of feel
ing in the Eastern States, consented to repeal of
the embargo, and moved thereto with some haste
He felt, no doubt a sort Of reverence for the
sure rs II had kept open war in allegiance until the
term OF his administration had run out, and would
gladly have retained il for the benefit of his sue
cessor, had he dared. Snugy ensconced behind this
rampant OF seclsion he had enjoyed some degree of
safety az regarded outward collision, but the pres
from within overthrow his wall OF isolation The
act repealed in March. To allow trade go forth
again in its old channels would have been certain
wal or n spfitless submission to destruction. The
expedient was adopted OF a nonintercourse with
both the belligerents, leaving our commerce free
wherever it could safely go, and offering resump-
ton OF intercourse with either party which should
rescnd its opprobious edicts, conveying sort of in
direct promise of alliance with such party in active
hostility against the other.
The act gained positive favor where The COM
mcrcal party moderated their violence, because
they knew it was a sensible measure, and because
they had much respect for the new President, Mr..
Madison, and hoped moderate policy from him.
But they complained that II should have been con-
fined 70 France Some of the administration party
regarded its application at all TO France as gar
ing improperly, and many of them thought it alto
gether too much of miIk-and-water affair toward
England. Abroad, England considered the repeal
OF the embargo triumph Of her endurance, and
retreat part from the recoil OF our own guns
a little more frmness might drive further back.
Whatever she wished from us could now be obtain
with remarkable generosity, to repeal her acts in
question, provided the United States would keep up
its nonintercourse with France, allow the British
navy to enforce il our behalf, and give up all
trade with the French colonies not enjoyed in peace.
Mr.. Ersknc, the British Minister at Washington,
misunderstanding the terms, promised uncondtion-
al acceptance by his government of the offer Of the
United States, upon which, Madison, in April re-
newed by proclamation, intercourse with England,
leaving France still under prescription. The de-
light OF the mercantile community was short-hved
The British government promptly disavowed the ar
rangement, and in August Madison renewed nom
intercourse by a counter proclamation. The affair
unfortunate, as 1t served only to rrtate farther
all parties concerned.
Napoleon on hearing that the hoped-for move
ment of the American government had turned out
n retrograde, and that France was placed on the
same footing with England, was enraged to the last
degree Above all, his fury was moved by the sus-
pension of non-intercourse in favor OF England,
while il was continued against France. He deter
mined on an ample revenge, and TO attain that
smothered his feelings for WHILE The continental
ports were soon full OF American vessels, released
by the embargo. He bounced upon them In Holland,
Spain. Italy and Naples, and made the United
States feel what il was to offend him.
He did not stop here On the 10th Of March,
1870 he made treaty with his brother Louis, Of
Holland, for the full enforcement of his system
there, providing that all American merchandise
arrived in Holland since February |, 1909, should
be seQuestered " and made over to France in order
10 her dsposing thereof according TO circumstances,
Ind the state of her political relations with the
United States" On the sd Of March, he issued
.hc Ramboullet decree, published May %, ordering
that all vessels and goods under the United States
Tag which had entered the ports Of France, her
allies or colonies, since May 20, 1909, (the date OF
the nonintercourse act) which should thereafter
enter should be coniiscated. Under this decree,
many millions OF dollars worth Of American proper
~ before held in sequestration in the continental
ports, was sold.
On the first OF May. 1910, another change occurred
in the policy OF the American government. An act
of this date removed the non.intercourse act, adj