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Foreign News
May 19, 1807
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Madrid Court Gazette reports a royal gala in Aranjuez for Infante Don Francis de Paula Antonio Maria; appointment of Francis de Beauharnais as French ambassador to Spain; context of Spain's war with Britain and Napoleon's November 1806 blockade decree, leading to Spanish orders prohibiting English commerce and confiscating property as of February 19, 1807.
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Full Text
[NUMBER 8.
Europe.
Translation from the Court Gazette of Madrid under date of March 13, 1807.
Wednesday of this week was a gala-day at court, at the royal residence of Aranjuez, in compliment of the infante Don Francis de Paula Antonio Maria, third son of the king.
The emperor of the French and king of Italy, desires to manifest to the king, our sovereign, his lively desire of preserving and strengthening more and more the bonds of friendship and close alliance, which happily subsist between the two sovereigns and their respective kingdoms, has been pleased to make choice, to reside near the king, our sovereign, in quality of ambassador of his imperial majesty, and envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the king of Italy, of his excellency Francis de Beauharnais, grand dignitary of the order of the Iron Crown, of the Legion of honor, &c. who already resided in quality of envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of his imperial and royal majesty, near the reigning queen of Etruria. The distinguished talents of Mr. Beauharnais, caused an anxiety for his presentation, which took place the latter end of December last, with all the ceremony customary in like cases: and he was received by their majesties with demonstrations of the greatest regard, as well on account of his appearance, as for his courteous and affable deportment.
By the greatest of outrages against humanity, and against good policy, Spain was forced by Great Britain to take part in the present war. This power has taken to herself an exclusive dominion of the sea and of the commerce of the world. Her numerous factories disseminated in every country, are like sponges, which suck up their riches, without leaving them any thing more than the semblance of mercantile liberty. From this maritime and commercial despotism are derived to England the immense resources for sustaining a war, the object of which is to destroy the commerce appertaining to each country, and corresponding to its industry and situation.
Experience has demonstrated that the English cabinet hesitates at no means that may conduce to effect their designs; and that while this power continues to enjoy the benefits of her immense trade, humanity will continue to groan under the weight of a desolating war. To put an end to this, and to attain a solid peace, the emperor of the French and king of Italy, issued on the 21st of November last, a decree, in which, adopting the principle of reprisals, he determined on the blockade of the British islands; and his ambassador, his excellency Francis de Beauharnais, grand dignitary of the order of the Iron Crown, and of the Legion of honor, &c. having communicated it to the king, our sovereign, who, desirous to co-operate in measures dictated by the principle of reciprocity, has been pleased to order the serene prince, general and admiral in chief, to issue circular orders of the following tenor:
"As soon as England had committed the horrible outrage of intercepting the royal frigates, violating by surprise that good faith which in time of peace secures the property of individuals, and disregarding the law of nations, his majesty considered himself in a state of war with that power, although it was his royal pleasure to suspend the promulgation of the manifesto, until he saw supported by the government of London, the atrocity committed by its seamen.
From thenceforward, and without a necessity of warning the inhabitants of these kingdoms, of the circumspection with which they ought to conduct themselves towards those of a country wanting to the sacred laws of propriety and the rights of nations, his majesty declared to his subjects the state of war which existed with that nation. All intercourse, all commerce is prohibited in such a situation; and no ideas ought to be entertained towards such an enemy, but those dictated by an honorable spirit which puts at a distance all connexion with them, considering it as the vile result of an avarice disgraceful to those possessing it. His majesty is well persuaded that such honorable sentiments are deeply rooted in the hearts of his beloved subjects; but nevertheless he will grant no indulgence to such as may contravene the law: nor will he leave any through ignorance to mistake it; authorizing me for that purpose, to declare, that all English property, found on board any vessel, though it be a neutral one, if consigned to Spanish individuals, shall be confiscated. In like manner shall be confiscated all merchandize which shall be found, though in neutral vessels, whenever it shall be directed to the ports of England or its islands. And finally, his majesty, conformably to the ideas of his ally, the emperor of the French, declares in his states the same law as his imperial majesty, on principles of reciprocity and propriety, has promulgated under date of the 21st of Nov. 1806.
The observance of this determination of his majesty belongs to the chiefs of provinces, of departments and of fleets; and in communicating them, I, in the name of his majesty, hope no occasion will be given for his royal displeasure. God preserve you many years.
Aranjuez, the 19th of Feb. 1807.
The PRINCE.
General in chief and admiral in chief.
Circular to the chiefs of provinces, departments and fleets in Spain and in the Indies."
Europe.
Translation from the Court Gazette of Madrid under date of March 13, 1807.
Wednesday of this week was a gala-day at court, at the royal residence of Aranjuez, in compliment of the infante Don Francis de Paula Antonio Maria, third son of the king.
The emperor of the French and king of Italy, desires to manifest to the king, our sovereign, his lively desire of preserving and strengthening more and more the bonds of friendship and close alliance, which happily subsist between the two sovereigns and their respective kingdoms, has been pleased to make choice, to reside near the king, our sovereign, in quality of ambassador of his imperial majesty, and envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the king of Italy, of his excellency Francis de Beauharnais, grand dignitary of the order of the Iron Crown, of the Legion of honor, &c. who already resided in quality of envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of his imperial and royal majesty, near the reigning queen of Etruria. The distinguished talents of Mr. Beauharnais, caused an anxiety for his presentation, which took place the latter end of December last, with all the ceremony customary in like cases: and he was received by their majesties with demonstrations of the greatest regard, as well on account of his appearance, as for his courteous and affable deportment.
By the greatest of outrages against humanity, and against good policy, Spain was forced by Great Britain to take part in the present war. This power has taken to herself an exclusive dominion of the sea and of the commerce of the world. Her numerous factories disseminated in every country, are like sponges, which suck up their riches, without leaving them any thing more than the semblance of mercantile liberty. From this maritime and commercial despotism are derived to England the immense resources for sustaining a war, the object of which is to destroy the commerce appertaining to each country, and corresponding to its industry and situation.
Experience has demonstrated that the English cabinet hesitates at no means that may conduce to effect their designs; and that while this power continues to enjoy the benefits of her immense trade, humanity will continue to groan under the weight of a desolating war. To put an end to this, and to attain a solid peace, the emperor of the French and king of Italy, issued on the 21st of November last, a decree, in which, adopting the principle of reprisals, he determined on the blockade of the British islands; and his ambassador, his excellency Francis de Beauharnais, grand dignitary of the order of the Iron Crown, and of the Legion of honor, &c. having communicated it to the king, our sovereign, who, desirous to co-operate in measures dictated by the principle of reciprocity, has been pleased to order the serene prince, general and admiral in chief, to issue circular orders of the following tenor:
"As soon as England had committed the horrible outrage of intercepting the royal frigates, violating by surprise that good faith which in time of peace secures the property of individuals, and disregarding the law of nations, his majesty considered himself in a state of war with that power, although it was his royal pleasure to suspend the promulgation of the manifesto, until he saw supported by the government of London, the atrocity committed by its seamen.
From thenceforward, and without a necessity of warning the inhabitants of these kingdoms, of the circumspection with which they ought to conduct themselves towards those of a country wanting to the sacred laws of propriety and the rights of nations, his majesty declared to his subjects the state of war which existed with that nation. All intercourse, all commerce is prohibited in such a situation; and no ideas ought to be entertained towards such an enemy, but those dictated by an honorable spirit which puts at a distance all connexion with them, considering it as the vile result of an avarice disgraceful to those possessing it. His majesty is well persuaded that such honorable sentiments are deeply rooted in the hearts of his beloved subjects; but nevertheless he will grant no indulgence to such as may contravene the law: nor will he leave any through ignorance to mistake it; authorizing me for that purpose, to declare, that all English property, found on board any vessel, though it be a neutral one, if consigned to Spanish individuals, shall be confiscated. In like manner shall be confiscated all merchandize which shall be found, though in neutral vessels, whenever it shall be directed to the ports of England or its islands. And finally, his majesty, conformably to the ideas of his ally, the emperor of the French, declares in his states the same law as his imperial majesty, on principles of reciprocity and propriety, has promulgated under date of the 21st of Nov. 1806.
The observance of this determination of his majesty belongs to the chiefs of provinces, of departments and of fleets; and in communicating them, I, in the name of his majesty, hope no occasion will be given for his royal displeasure. God preserve you many years.
Aranjuez, the 19th of Feb. 1807.
The PRINCE.
General in chief and admiral in chief.
Circular to the chiefs of provinces, departments and fleets in Spain and in the Indies."
What sub-type of article is it?
Diplomatic
War Report
Royal Event
What keywords are associated?
Aranjuez Court Gala
French Ambassador Beauharnais
Napoleon Blockade Decree
Spain Britain War
Commerce Prohibition
Property Confiscation
What entities or persons were involved?
Don Francis De Paula Antonio Maria
Emperor Of The French And King Of Italy
Francis De Beauharnais
Queen Of Etruria
The Prince
Where did it happen?
Aranjuez
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Aranjuez
Event Date
March 13, 1807
Key Persons
Don Francis De Paula Antonio Maria
Emperor Of The French And King Of Italy
Francis De Beauharnais
Queen Of Etruria
The Prince
Outcome
appointment of francis de beauharnais as ambassador; napoleon's decree blockading british islands on november 21, 1806; spanish circular orders prohibiting all commerce with england and confiscating english property in any vessel, including neutral ones, issued february 19, 1807.
Event Details
Gala day at Aranjuez court for infante Don Francis de Paula Antonio Maria. Napoleon appoints Francis de Beauharnais as ambassador to Spain, previously envoy to Etruria, presented end of December 1806. Spain forced into war with Britain due to outrage against royal frigates; Britain dominates sea commerce. Napoleon issues blockade decree on November 21, 1806; Beauharnais communicates it, leading to Spanish king's orders via the Prince for reciprocity: state of war declared, all intercourse and commerce prohibited, English property confiscated regardless of vessel neutrality if consigned to Spanish or destined for England.