The New Hampshire Gazette

December 2.

THE DECREE

Of the National Convention of France (in the preceding page of this paper,) must convince the Americans of the liberal disposition of that Republic, in promoting and extending the American commerce. As a commercial people, we must be sensible of the great advantages arising from our connection with France, in preference to any other power in Europe. The French appeared desirous to encourage an intercourse with the Americans, founded on the most benevolent principles--while the British in particular, in all their conduct, are as assiduous to embarrass us in our commerce, insult our national flag, and to render our navigation and trade as unproductive as possible.

This decree passed on the 26th of last March. But by the extract from Havre, published on Thursday,* it appears that it has since been reversed, and that all ships (excepting proper French ships) are prohibited from carrying freights from one port in France to another, or from France to her colonies or islands, or from the colonies to France; neither can any ship bring into France, any cargo, except it is the produce of the country of the colours she is under.

What have been the motives of the French nation in thus reversing their former decrees, time will discover; but it is apprehended that some late conduct towards their Minister, together with the many insults offered him by an aristocratic faction through the United States, have led the Republic of France, to conceive that the Americans do not feel that warm attachment to their revolution, which would have entitled them to those exclusive favors they at first intended. It is however, hoped that upon a thorough investigation of those measures that have given cause of suspicion of our want of friendship, the nation of France will restore to the American commerce all those advantages and privileges which they originally contemplated.

See Gazette, Nov. 30.