VII

VII

Гамбургский гос. архив 1806 г.

Пачка: Aus der Akte Cl. I Lit. Pb. Vol. 8 d. Fasc. 17. Vol. 14: betr. Briefe von Colquhoun, kurz vor und seit Erneuerung der Blockade, 1806.

Secret and Confidential.

Observations on the facilities afforded by the merchants of Hamburgh in the purchase of British manufactures, East India goods and colonial produce during the late and the present war and on the advantages which will result to Great Britain and Ireland from the removal of the blockade of the river Elbe.

The free imperial city of Hamburgh has been for centuries past a great enterpot for merchandize intended for the consumption of the North of Europe; but it was not until the invasion of Holland by France during the last war, that this city became the center of exchange, and the grand depot of the chief part of the colonial produce, East India goods and British manufactures, destined for the consumption of all Europe.

The excellent constitution of the Bank of Hamburgh afforded great facilities to her merchants, and enabled them, with the assistance of their own extensive capitals, to establish a chain of correspondence with every commercial town in the different kingdoms and states in Europe, not even excepting Turkey, and from their connections thus formed, they have been accustomed for the last twelve years, to receive regular orders for merchandize of every description, chiefly imported from Great Britain, which notwithstanding every difficulty, which was opposed to their exertions, they circulated in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Poland and the Turkish dominions, in so much that for a succession of years their imports alone from Great Britain exceeded eight millions Sterl. annually.

After a certain period the chain of connection became so perfectly systematized, and their friends and correspondents were so numerous in every city, town, and village in Europe, that they were enabled by their assistance, stimulated by personal interest, to counteract all the exertions of the French governement, for the purpose of preventing the introduction of Britisch manufactures and other goods into the different countries. Where prohibitory edicts were attempted to be enforced, local influence obtained certificates in every quarter for a triffle, and thus did British manufactures and colonial produce and East India goods find their way to the remotest purchaser in spite of every obstacle.

In addition to this, the same chain of extensive connections enabled the Hambourgh merchants, while the ports of Italy were shut against the British trade, to bring over land the raw silks, and other valuable commodities from that, and other countries, necessary for the manufactures of England, in so much that during the most calamitous period of the last war the supplies of every raw material usually furnished to this country from every interdicted port of Europe, were procured in sufficient quantities through the medium of Hamburgh. And even during the unfortunate blockade of the Elbe, which took place soon after the commencement of the present war, which so much crippled the trade of the North of Europe, it was chiefly through the medium of the merchants of Hamburgh that British goods found their way to the various purchasers and consumers on the continent, since the Danish port of Toningen afforded no facilities of this nature, and it became necessary to transport the goods to Hamburgh at a great expence by land carriage through Holstein, and ultimately in small craft which navigated on the Danish side of the Elbe from Toningen to Hamburgh in consequence of a relaxation of the blockade with respect to such vessels. In all cases it became necessary that the goods should be deposited in Hamburgh, for the purpose of being assorted, previous to their being sent in transit to their various destinations in different parts of Europe.

The departure of the French army from Hanover in October 1805 produced a total removal of the blockade, upon which the trade began to resume its former vigour, and was progressively increasing to a great and beneficial extent, notwithstanding the efforts of the French government to prevent it, when the unjust assumption of the sovereignty of Hanover on the part of Prussia, and the subsequent proclamation of that power prohibiting the introduction of British goods produced a recent order from this government for resuming once more the blockade of the Elbe.

It is here to be observed that the order of the Prussian government simply states

that the ports of the North Sea, as well as the rivers

emptying themselves therein, shall be shut against

British commerce the same as when occupied by the

French troops.

In order therefore to ascertain the true import of this edict, it becomes necessary to inquire, what were the nature and extent of the obstructions offered by the French during the period they occupied Hanover?

It will be found that no instance occured, when the French government attempted to seize, examine or interrupt any vessel passing up the Elbe, altho’ it is certainly true, that within that period three ships were seized by the French soldiery at Cuxhaven, and condemned en militaire: but this outrage had not the sanction of the French government, although it afterwards (when the spoil was divided among the soldiers, and could not be recovered) shamefully connived at what had been done.

It is further to be observed, that as the Prussian government profess to follow only the system, which was practiced by France, that in conformity to the conduct of that power they will not presume to disturb neutral vessels passing and repassing upon the Elbe to, and from Hamburgh, in as much as it was never done by the model, which Prussia professes to follow, and therefore it can scarcely admit a doubt, that such neutrals will be permitted to navigate to, and from Hamburgh without molestation; neither is it to be supposed that the edict of Prussia will be carried into execution, in the manner it imports, as it has been extorted from that power by France, and has been unwillingly acceded to: and still less is it to be excepted, that any rigid regulations will be established with respect to the transit of British goods through the dominions of Prussia, in as much as that country requires regular supplies of colonial, and East India goods and British manufactures, which have become indispensibly necessary for the comfort and convenience of the people.

But admitting that a system equally rigid should prevail, as that, which France established, still as British goods then found their way through the exertions of the Hamburgh merchants into the interior of Europe, it follows of course, that nothing that Prussia can do, will prevent it, provided they pass through the same chain of connections. Besides as the Prussian edict refers only to the rule established by France, and as that rule extended only to the territory (namely Hanover) then in their possession, it can not be fairly construed, as applying to any of the other countries under the government of Prussia. If however it should be found even to extend to the whole of the Prussian dominions, it will not be effectual, if the mode of conveyance remains with the Hamburgh merchants.

This however cannot he effected, unless the blockade of the Elbe is withdrawn. This river is claimed by no belligerent or even neutral power. It is completely free, and Hamburgh being also a free city, is a neutral state in amity with Great Britain.

During the period when the French occupied Hanover, no attempt was made to disturb the commerce, or the commercial proceedings of the city of Hamburgh. Its neutrality in all instances was respected, and as the strongest assurances have been recently given by the French government, that no attempts will be made or suffered, whereby its liberties or independence shall be disturbed, it is expected that it will remain in statu quo, and that its freedom of trade will be preserved.

Admitting this to be the case, it should seem for the reasons already assigned, to be of the greatest importance, that the trade with Hamburgh should not be interrupted. With Holland although an enemies country, an intercourse by neutral vessels has been courted by the policy of Great Britain, and it has always been accounted a wise policy. The same principle applies to Hamburgh in a tenfold degree, because of the great additional vent, which through this medium will be afforded for British manufactures, colonial produce and East India goods. Besides Hamburgh is not an enemies country, and the goods landed there, are not subject to the capricious interferences and seizures, which have so often disturbed the commerce of Holland through the medium of French influence, producing outrage and injustice.

But even admitting that a hazard existed, it is by no means proposed or expected, that the risk is to be incurred by British subjects, either in the other belligerent powers, to whose countries British goods are constantly would be the purchasers for their correspondents all over Europe. The goods as well as the ships would be completely neutral property. The British underwriters would not even be called upon to insure this property, as the greatest facilities in this respect exist at Hamburgh.

It may perhaps be argued, that this measure would aid the enemy. If such reasoning were just, it would apply equally to Holland, and all the other belligerent powers, to whose countries British goods are constantly shipt in neutral vessels. But the fact is, that it would weaken the enemy by increasing the resources of Great Britain for carrying on the war. It would ease the warehouses of the merchants and of the manufactures of the masses of commercial property, with which they are overloaded, and by extensive sales they would be enabled to continue their enterprize — but it would do more, while it gave a favorable turn to the exchange with the continent, it would enable Great Britain and Ireland, through the medium of Hamburgh, to obtain the raw silk and other light productions from Italy so indispensibly necessary to our manufactures, while it would open a source for the supply of various other raw materials from Germany and other parts of Europe, no less indispensible.

The blockade of the Elbe cannot in the smallest degree injure Prussia. It only can injure unoffending Hamburgh and Great Britain. But Prussia might be considerably distressed, if in addition to the river Ems, the blockade were extended to Stettin, and still more to Colberg and Rugenwalde, by which Prussia would at once be deprived of the exportation of her linens, and all other manufacturing materials, and such a measure might perhaps compel that power, to withdraw her restrictions with respect to British ships navigating upon the Elbe as such a measure would produce the utmost distress and ruin to the numerous linen manufactures of Prussian Pomerania.

But in fact the only injury Great Britain could sustain, provided the Elbe were opened by the removal of the blockade under the existing circumstances, would be the exclusion of British ships for a time from the trade, which is a mere nothing and can never be put in competition with the incalculable advantages, which will result from this measure — especially when it is considered that at all times, and particularly during war, a vast proportion of this trade has been carried on in neutral bottoms.

By raising the blockade of the Elbe, it is highly probable, that in spite of every difficulty opposed by the French government, the exportation from Great Britain will resume its former vigour, but if the apparently unnecessary system is adopted, of forcing the trade, through the circuitous route of the Danish port of Toningen, it will not only be greatly crippled and reduced, and subject to much plunder as well as an immense expence in the transit of ponderous articles, such as sugar, through Holstein by land carriage, but such a mode of conveyance will attract infinitely more notice than if the vessels proceeded in a direct course with their cargoes to Hamburgh.

For these and other reasons, which could be offered shewing the immense benefits which will result to Great Britain and Ireland, from preserving a free intercourse with Hamburg it is humbly hoped, that His Majesty’s government on a full consideration of these advantages will be pleased to withdraw the recent order for blockading the Elbe, and in the first instance at least permit the experiment of a free intercourse with Hamburgh to be made in neutral vessels, since for the reasons already offered there is almost a moral certainty, that it will not be disturbed in the smallest degree by the powers at war with Great Britain.

17-th april 1806.

Copy of a letter to Lord Auckland inclosing the memorial saying Observations.

James Street Westminster 17-th april 1806.

My Lord,

The incalculable importance of the inclosed observations I am convinced will plead my apology for pressing the subject matter of them upon that very early attention, which the present distressed state of our trade the attention of His Majesty’s government as early as possible, with a view if possible, to an order being sent by the mail of to morrow, to suspend or rather to countermand the blockade of the Elbe.

I have been for nearly two years the accredited agent of the Republic of Hamburgh, and have bestowed much labour, with a view to obtain a knowledge of the nature and extent of the trade, and its importance to this country.

But in these delicate and difficult times it is not safe for the Senate to disclose many important facts, elucidating the advantages this country derives from the commercial intercourse with that city, or what steps its merchants have adopted, to promote a circulation of British goods all over Europe: nor can I in my public capacity, as their deputy or agent venture, to bring the case under the review of government in the shape of a memorial, to be presented in the usual official form to the Minister for foreign affairs, lest the publicity of such a document now, or at any time hereafter from the unfortunate state of Europe, might prove fatal to the liberties of Hamburgh, in the preservation of which this country is so much interested.

I have therefore presumed to bring the case forward under the title of Observations, which can be transmitted to no person with greater propriet? than your Lordship, since it can not pass to His Majesty’s councils through a channel more appropriate, or better calculated to command that very early attention, which the present distressed state of our trade and the importance of the case imperiously solicits.

I have the honor to be etc.