Сочинения в двенадцати томах. Том 3
Шрифт:
Fait `a Crest le 17-e f'evrier 1806.
(следуют подписи).
Vu pour legalisation des signatures des fileurs et tisseurs de Crest qui ont sign'e cy dernier.
Fait en mairie `a Crest le 19 f'evrier 1806.
Bellier.
VI
Нац. арх.
AF. IV — 1060, pi`ece n° 39.
28 f'evrier 1806.
A Sa Majest'e l’Empereur et Boi.
Sire!
Votre Majest'e `a bien voulu prendre en consid'eration les r'eclamations des fileurs et tisseurs francais, et d'ej`a Votre d'ecret du 22 f'evrier ranime nos esperances, daignez, Sire, en agr'eer l’hommage de notre respectueuse reconnaissence.
Oui, Sire, tout effray'es que nous soyons du droit impos'e `a l’introduction des cotons en laine, nous osons nous flatter, que l’ex'ecution stricte et s'ev`ere, des intentions salutaires du d'ecret, en debarassant l’industrie francaise du monopole de nos ennemis, rendra `a nos ateliers toute l’activit'e possible, et nous donnera les moyens de fournir aux manufactures de toiles peintes, des belles qualit'es, `a des prix mod'er'es, en quantit'e suffissante et m^eme au del`a de leurs besoins pour les amener `a regarder ainsi que nous, le d'ecret du 22 f'evrier comme un nouveau et important bienfait de Votre Majest'e.
Nous sommes, Sire, avec le plus profond respect, de Votre Majest'e Imp'eriale et Royale.
Les fid`eles serviteurs et sujets, Les fileurs du D'epartement de la Seine et environs.
Paris, le 28 f'evrier 1806.
(13
VII
Гамбургский гос. архив 1806 г.
Пачка: Aus der Akte Cl. I Lit. Pb. Vol. 8 d. Fasc. 17. Vol. 14: betr. Briefe von Colquhoun, kurz vor und seit Erneuerung der Blockade, 1806.
Secret and Confidential.
Observations on the facilities afforded by the merchants of Hamburgh in the purchase of British manufactures, East India goods and colonial produce during the late and the present war and on the advantages which will result to Great Britain and Ireland from the removal of the blockade of the river Elbe.
The free imperial city of Hamburgh has been for centuries past a great enterpot for merchandize intended for the consumption of the North of Europe; but it was not until the invasion of Holland by France during the last war, that this city became the center of exchange, and the grand depot of the chief part of the colonial produce, East India goods and British manufactures, destined for the consumption of all Europe.
The excellent constitution of the Bank of Hamburgh afforded great facilities to her merchants, and enabled them, with the assistance of their own extensive capitals, to establish a chain of correspondence with every commercial town in the different kingdoms and states in Europe, not even excepting Turkey, and from their connections thus formed, they have been accustomed for the last twelve years, to receive regular orders for merchandize of every description, chiefly imported from Great Britain, which notwithstanding every difficulty, which was opposed to their exertions, they circulated in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Poland and the Turkish dominions, in so much that for a succession of years their imports alone from Great Britain exceeded eight millions Sterl. annually.
After a certain period the chain of connection became so perfectly systematized, and their friends and correspondents were so numerous in every city, town, and village in Europe, that they were enabled by their assistance, stimulated by personal interest, to counteract all the exertions of the French governement, for the purpose of preventing the introduction of Britisch manufactures and other goods into the different countries. Where prohibitory edicts were attempted to be enforced, local influence obtained certificates in every quarter for a triffle, and thus did British manufactures and colonial produce and East India goods find their way to the remotest purchaser in spite of every obstacle.
In addition to this, the same chain of extensive connections enabled the Hambourgh merchants, while the ports of Italy were shut against the British trade, to bring over land the raw silks, and other valuable commodities from that, and other countries, necessary for the manufactures of England, in so much that during the most calamitous period of the last war the supplies of every raw material usually furnished to this country from every interdicted port of Europe, were procured in sufficient quantities through the medium of Hamburgh. And even during the unfortunate blockade of the Elbe, which took place soon after the commencement of the present war, which so much crippled the trade of the North of Europe, it was chiefly through the medium of the merchants of Hamburgh that British goods found their way to the various purchasers and consumers on the continent, since the Danish port of Toningen afforded no facilities of this nature, and it became necessary to transport the goods to Hamburgh at a great expence by land carriage through Holstein, and ultimately in small craft which navigated on the Danish side of the Elbe from Toningen to Hamburgh in consequence of a relaxation of the blockade with respect to such vessels. In all cases it became necessary that the goods should be deposited in Hamburgh, for the purpose of being assorted, previous to their being sent in transit to their various destinations in different parts of Europe.
The departure of the French army from Hanover in October 1805 produced a total removal of the blockade, upon which the trade began to resume its former vigour, and was progressively increasing to a great and beneficial extent, notwithstanding the efforts of the French government to prevent it, when the unjust assumption of the sovereignty of Hanover on the part of Prussia, and the subsequent proclamation of that power prohibiting the introduction of British goods produced a recent order from this government for resuming once more the blockade of the Elbe.
It is here to be observed that the order of the Prussian government simply states
that the ports of the North Sea, as well as the rivers
emptying themselves therein, shall be shut against
British commerce the same as when occupied by the
French troops.
In order therefore to ascertain the true import of this edict, it becomes necessary to inquire, what were the nature and extent of the obstructions offered by the French during the period they occupied Hanover?
It will be found that no instance occured, when the French government attempted to seize, examine or interrupt any vessel passing up the Elbe, altho’ it is certainly true, that within that period three ships were seized by the French soldiery at Cuxhaven, and condemned en militaire: but this outrage had not the sanction of the French government, although it afterwards (when the spoil was divided among the soldiers, and could not be recovered) shamefully connived at what had been done.
It is further to be observed, that as the Prussian government profess to follow only the system, which was practiced by France, that in conformity to the conduct of that power they will not presume to disturb neutral vessels passing and repassing upon the Elbe to, and from Hamburgh, in as much as it was never done by the model, which Prussia professes to follow, and therefore it can scarcely admit a doubt, that such neutrals will be permitted to navigate to, and from Hamburgh without molestation; neither is it to be supposed that the edict of Prussia will be carried into execution, in the manner it imports, as it has been extorted from that power by France, and has been unwillingly acceded to: and still less is it to be excepted, that any rigid regulations will be established with respect to the transit of British goods through the dominions of Prussia, in as much as that country requires regular supplies of colonial, and East India goods and British manufactures, which have become indispensibly necessary for the comfort and convenience of the people.