- course to hostilities—Position of the colonists—Fisheries—Shipping of
North American Colonies, A.D. 1769—Early registry of ships not always
to be depended on—Independence of United States acknowledged,
May 24, 1784—Ireland secures various commercial concessions—Scotch
shipping—Rate of seamen's wages—British Registry Act,
Aug. 1, 1786—American Registry Act—Treaty between France and
England, 1786—Slave-trade and its profits—Trade between England
and America and the West Indies re-opened—Changes produced by
the Navigation Laws consequent on the separation—New disputes—English
Orders in Council—Negotiations opened between Mr. Jay
and Lord Grenville—Tonnage duties levied by them. Pages 215-256
CHAPTER VII.
Great Britain, A.D. 1792—War with France, Feb. 1, 1793—Commercial
panic—Government lends assistance—High price of corn—Bounties
granted on its importation—Declaration of Russia, 1780—Confederacy
renewed when Bonaparte had risen to power—Capture
of merchant vessels—Do "free ships make free goods?"—Neutral
nations repudiate the English views—Their views respecting blockades—Right
of search—Chief doctrines of the neutrals—Mr. Pitt
stands firm, and is supported by Mr. Fox—Defence of the English
principles—Nelson sent to the Sound, 1801—Bombardment of
Copenhagen—Peace of Amiens, and its terms—Bonaparte's opinion
of free-trade—Sequestration of English property in France not
raised—All claims remain unanswered—Restraint on commerce—French
spies sent to England to examine her ports, etc.—Aggrandisement
of Bonaparte—Irritation in England—Bonaparte's interview
with Lord Whitworth—The English ministers try to gain time—Excitement
in England—The King's message—The invasion of
England determined on—War declared, May 18, 1803—Joy of the
shipowners—Preparations in England for defence—Captures of
French merchantmen—Effect of the war on shipping—Complaints of
English shipowners—Hardships of the pressing system—Apprentices—Suggestions
to secure the Mediterranean trade, and to encourage
emigration to Canada—Value of the Canadian trade 257-289
CHAPTER VIII.
Mr. Fox tries to make peace with France, 1806—Napoleon's Proclamation—English
Order in Council, April 8, 1806—Berlin Decree, Nov. 10,
1806—Its terms, and the stringency of its articles—Napoleon's skill
and duplicity—Russian campaign conceived—Berlin Decree enforced—Increased
rates of insurance—English Orders in Council, 1807—Preamble
of third Order in Council—Terms of this Order—Neutrals*
