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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Extract from a letter dated March 23, 1801, from St. Sebastians reports England's embargo on Danish and Swedish vessels and France's similar action on ships from Denmark, Sweden, Prussia, and Russia to prevent capture by England. American vessels, as the only neutral flag, face no detentions by French or English forces in recent months, including an encounter with an English privateer in the Bay of Biscay.
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Extract of a letter from an American gentleman of respectability, now at St. Sebastians, dated March 23, 1801.
"You no doubt have heard of the embargo laid by the government of England on all the Danes and Swedes in our ports. Bonaparte, with a fraternal anxiety for their safety, has done the same thing in all the ports of France, on the vessels of Denmark, Sweden, Prussia, and Russia, on account of an apprehension of their falling into the hands of the English. So that the American is now the only neutral flag; and with so much respect is it treated at this time, by all the Belligerent powers, that there is not an instance as far as I can learn, of an American vessel having been detained in those seas, for two months past by either the French or English.
"We were spoken by an English privateer in the Bay of Biscay, who after enquiring what our cargo consisted of, suffered us to pass without even coming on board. This shows how well we stand with the English in these seas: and notwithstanding the rejection of the Treaty by our Senate, the French government has shewn no hostile disposition towards America; on the contrary its cruisers, obeying the strict injunctions of Bonaparte, do not molest any of our vessels, for which no doubt he has some deep political reasons; seeing that French influence has gained ground very fast in America, and which he is certain will be increased by treating our flag with more respect than it is treated by the English."
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
St. Sebastians
Event Date
March 23, 1801
Key Persons
Outcome
no instances of american vessels detained by french or english for two months past; english privateer allowed passage without boarding.
Event Details
England imposed embargo on Danish and Swedish vessels in ports. Bonaparte ordered similar embargo in French ports on vessels from Denmark, Sweden, Prussia, and Russia to protect them from English capture. American flag is only neutral, treated respectfully by belligerents. No detentions reported. English privateer in Bay of Biscay inquired about cargo but let vessel pass. French cruisers obey orders not to molest American vessels, despite Senate's rejection of treaty, for political reasons including growing French influence in America.