What would be the situation of a commercial country like England were she obliged to lay an embargo on her trade and keep her Ships of war in port till 3,000 square miles of channel were swept once a month? for while sweeping the Channel in one part, the enemy could be laying down bombs in several places, Suppose for example that the Enemy had anchored 500 or 1000 bombs from the lands end to the humber they who were to sweep them not knowing where they were laid would be necessitated to sweep the whole channel to find them, and another difficulty occurs, for not Knowing the number which were put down who could tell when exactly every one was taken up? Will Capt Hamilton have the goodness to point out to his Majesty’s ministers a certain mode of keeping the channel free from such engines so that the British commerce and fleets may move with all the security and confidence which they at present enjoy*? * * * * * *When a few hundred of such bombs are anchored it is impossible to clear the Channel of them nor give confidence to navigation till they destroy themselves in the given time for which they were set, That is from one to twelve months. This I know how to do, Therefore the danger may be laid down for any time from one to 12 months and the trade destroyed for any period which the french might think proper. _Fourth Objection._ And one to which I believe all the arbitrators Yielded but which they did not give me an opportunity to answer and which I shall now do. That such a system of Attack would not only destroy English but all neutral commerce, and even the commerce of france that consequently Buonapart would not use it— _Answer_ When any port is blockaded the commerce of all neutrals as connected with that port is distressed But as the existance of England depends on her uninterrupted commerce while France is more Agricultural, and as france could lay down such engines in the channel so as to distress British commerce yet leave Brest, Bordeaux and the Medeterranian free to her own trade unless England laid down bombs also in which case maritime war would become a war of Bombs in which France would have the advantage in consequence of her trade with Spain and her own frontier, the Question then would be which of the two nations England or France could bear such interruption of their trade for the greatest length of time and which must finally yield to the dictates of the other In such a contest where everything is to be gained Nepolion is not of a temper to consult the temporary Interest of Neutrals and it will not be wise in his Majesty’s Ministers to risk it.