“Considering,” began the preamble,[105] “that by these acts the English government has denationalized the ships of all the nations of Europe; that it is in the power of no government to compound its own independence and its rights,--all the sovereigns in Europe being jointly interested in the sovereignty and independence of their flag; that if by an inexcusable weakness, which would be an ineffaceable stain in the eyes of posterity, we should allow such a tyranny to pass into a principle and to become consecrated by usage, the English would take advantage of it to establish it as a right, as they have profited by the tolerance of governments to establish the infamous principle that the flag does not cover the goods, and to give to their right of blockade an arbitrary extension, contrary to the sovereignty of all States,”-- Considering all these matters, so important to States like Denmark, Portugal, and Spain, whose flags had ceased to exist, and of whose honor and interests this mighty conqueror made himself champion, Napoleon decreed that every ship which should have been searched by an English vessel, or should have paid any duty to the British government, or should come from or be destined for any port in British possession in any part of the world, should be good prize; and that this rule should continue in force until England should have “returned to the principles of international law, which are also those of justice and honor.” FOOTNOTES: [81] Napoleon to Talleyrand, July 19, 1807; Correspondance, xv. 433. [82] Armstrong to Madison, Aug. 3, 1807; State Papers, iii. 243. [83] Armstrong to Madison, Aug. 11, 1807; MSS. State Department Archives. [84] Napoleon to Decrès, Sept. 9, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 20. [85] M. Regnier to the Procureur Général, Sept. 18, 1807; State Papers, iii. 244. [86] Champagny to Armstrong, Oct. 7, 1807; State Papers, iii. 245. [87] Armstrong to Champagny, Nov. 12, 1807; State Papers, iii. 245. [88] Napoleon to Champagny, Nov. 15, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 165. [89] Champagny to Armstrong, Nov. 24, 1807; State Papers, iii. 247. [90] Armstrong to Madison, Oct. 15, 1807; MSS. State Department Archives. [91] Napoleon to General Clarke, Oct. 12, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 80. [92] Napoleon to Champagny, Oct. 12, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 79. [93] Napoleon to Charles IV., Oct. 12, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 83. [94] Napoleon to General Clarke, Oct. 16, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 91. [95] Napoleon to Junot, Oct. 17, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 98. [96] See History of First Administration, i. 392. [97] Correspondance de Napoleon I.; Projet de Convention, Oct. 23, 1807, xvi. 111. [98] Napoleon to Junot, October 31, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 128. [99] Napoleon to General Clarke, Nov. 3, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 136. [100] Napoleon to General Clarke, Nov. 11, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 149. [101] Napoleon to M. de Tournon, Nov. 13, 1807; Correspondance, xvi. 159.