This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1814 Excerpt: ...permitted to depart, and carry with them our productions and merchandize to all countries, except those of France and Great Britain and their dependencies. The effect of this absurd measure (originating partly in. the pride of the administration, who had relied so much on the efficacy of their restrictive energies) was seriously injurious to ourselves, by compelling our merchants to send their cargoes to other countries than those whers they were chiefly to be consumed. This absurd non-intercourse law, though perfectly acq;iii: sced in by Great Britain, was used by the French Emperor (whom, in construction and practice it was really intendedto favor) as a pretence for his decree of Rambouillet, under which American property, to the amount of some millions of dollars, was seized in the ports of'France and her dependencies, and confiscated: while all American property in English ports remained perfectly secure. For the non-intercourse law itself expired at the end of the succeeding session of congress, which was the 28th of June, 1809; after which American vessels-resorted freely to English ports, some to French ports, and many to the ports of the dependencies of France, which gave the opportunity to the French Emperor to make the extensive seizures I have mentioned The like difference of conduct was exhibited on the ocean. By British armed ships our merchant vessels (not destined to French ports) were convoyed and guarded; while by the French cruisers they were burnt, or captured and carried in and. condemned." " Note. The Rambouillet decree of the French emperor was distinguished for its unexampled iniquity. On the first of March, . 1809, congress passed the non-intercourse law, which so far repealed the embargo law, as to permit the departure of ou...