Page:Account of the dispute between Russia, Sweden & Denmark, and Great Britain.pdf/7

7, in which it was declared that ſhould Britain and Ruſſia go to war, the ſhips and merchandice of each country ſhould be allowed to be withdrawn by their proper owners; Paul made no ſcruple at detaining the ſhips and merchandiſe, and impriſoning the crews.

While theſe things were going forward, Denmark and Sweden who had allowed a contraband trade to be carried on under the ſanction of their flags, went readily into the meaſure of armed neutrality in order to carry on openly an aggreſſion which they had hitherto diſguised.

Contraband Goods, in time of war, conſiſt in every article neceſſary in fitting out armaments, or equipping ſhips, and every implement of war,—That theſe are proper to be conſidered as contraband is evident, becauſe if they are carried into the ports of one nation, it materially injures its antagoniſt, and tends to lengthen out a war. Alſo, when a ſtate grants convoy, to veſſels that have no fear of being captured, the very appearance of a convoy is a kind of proof that it is charged with illegal commerce, or there would be no occaſion for it.

Sweden, though united with the armed neutrality in 1780, did not ſcruple afterwards, when engaged in war with Ruſſia to enforce the contrary principle.

Ruſſia, Sweden and Denmark, readily agreed to the principle of in 1793, and treaties with theſe powers were then ratified. Denmark, who firſt openly broke that treaty, and on whom fell the juſt vengeance of Britain, that deceitful power, after entering into a ſolemn engagement with Admiral Dickſon, not to grant convoys, nor protect contraband goods, did not ſcruple two months after, to avail itſelf of the opportunity of the expected co-operation of Ruſſia and Sweden, to overthrow the code of maritime laws eſtabliſhed for centuries among the commercial nations of Europe.

This armed neutrality, which was deemed by Britain as a declaration of, was ratified in the month of December 1800.