and British manufactures, which have become indispensably necessary for
the comfort and convenience of the people.
But admitting that a system equally rigid should prevail, as that,
•which France established, still as British goods then found their way
through the exertions of the Hamburgh merchants into the interior of
Europe, it follows of course, that nothing that Prussia can do, will prevent
it, provided they pass through the same chain of connections. Besides as
the Prussian edict refers only to the rule established by France, and as
that rale extended only to the territory (namely Hanover) then in their
possession, it can not be fairly construed, as applying to any of the other
countries under the government of Prussia. If however it should be found
even to extend to the whole of the Prussian dominions, it will not be effec-
tual, if the mode of conveyance remains with the Hamburgh merchants.
This however cannot be effected, unless the blockade of the Elbe is
-withdrawn. This river is claimed by no belligerent or even neutral power.
It is completely free, and Hamburgh being aslo a free city, is a neutral
state in amity with Great Britain.
During the period when the French occupied Hanover, no attempt was
made to disturb the commerce, or the commercial proceedings of the city
•of Hamburgh. Its neutrality in all instances was respected, and as the
strongest assurances have been recently given by the French government,
that no attempts will be made or suffered, whereby its liberties or inde-
pendence shall be disturbed, it is expected that it will remain in statu quo,
and that its freedom of trade will be preserved.
Admitting this to be the case, it should seem for the reasons already
assigned, to be of the greatest importance, that the trade with Hamburgh
should not be interrupted. With Holland although an enemies country, an
intercourse by neutral vessels has been courted by the policy of Great
Britain, and it has always been accounted a wise policy. The same prin-
ciple applies to Hamburgh in a tenfold degree, because of the great addi-
tional vent, which through this medium will be afforded for British manu-
factures, colonial produce and East India goods. Besides Hamburgh is not
an enemies country, and the goods landed there, are not subject to the
capricious interferences and seizures, which have so often disturbed the
«ommerce of Holland through the medium of French influence, producing
outrage and injustice.
But even admitting that a hazard existed, it is by no means proposed
or expected, that the risk is to be incurred by British subjects, either in
the other belligerent powers, to whose countries British goods are constantly
would be the purchasers for their correspondents all over Europe. The
goods as well as the ships would be completely neutral property. The Bri-
tish underwriters would not even be called upon to insure this property,
as the greatest facilities in this respect exist at Hamburgh.
It may perhaps be argued, that this measure would aid the enemy.
If such reasoning were just, it would apply equally to Holland, and all
the other belligerent powers, to whose countries British goods are constantly
shipt in neutral vessels. But the fact is, that it would weaken the enemy
by increasing the resources of Great Britain for carrying on the war. It
would ease the warehouses of the merchants and of the manufactures of
the masses of commercial property, with which they are overloaded, and
by extensive sales they would be enabled to continue their enterprize
—
but it would do more, while it gave a favorable turn to the exchange with
the coutinent, it would enable Great Britain and Ireland, through the
medium of Hamburgh, to obtain the raw silk and other light productions
from Italy so indispensibly necessary to our manufactures, while it would
•open a source for the supply of various other raw materials from Germany
and other parts of Europe, no less indispensible.
621