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Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Napoleon decrees that American vessels must obtain licenses to carry colonial produce to French dominions, with one recent license at Nantes costing 80 Napoleons plus fees for a single voyage. The text criticizes the US government and press for not protesting this as a 'badge of colonial slavery' and highlights Napoleon's hypocrisy on free seas.
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Bonaparte has decreed that American vessels shall not carry colonial produce to his dominions unless duly Licensed by him; and it is a well known fact, that for one such "Licence" lately granted to an American vessel at Nantes, (and which licence is good for one voyage only) no less than eighty Napoleons were paid into the French Treasury, besides fees.—Now, our independent government, and their scribblers, we do not find one of them—lately so boisterous on the subject—who raises his voice or moves his pen against this "badge of colonial slavery" this unjust tribute to a foreign nation." No! France and Napoleon have done it, and they are dumb. And yet this same Napoleon very consistently prates of the freedom of the seas, and "free ships making free goods:" and these same dumb gentlemen pretend to be exclusive patriots, and great sticklers for impartial neutrality!
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
France
Key Persons
Outcome
american vessels require licenses for one voyage only, costing 80 napoleons plus fees per license granted at nantes.
Event Details
Bonaparte decreed that American vessels cannot carry colonial produce to French dominions without a license from him. A recent license granted to an American vessel at Nantes cost 80 Napoleons paid to the French Treasury plus fees, valid for one voyage only. The text condemns the US government and press for silence on this 'badge of colonial slavery' and 'unjust tribute,' contrasting it with Napoleon's advocacy for freedom of the seas and free ships making free goods.