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74 This was the moment chosen by the northern confederates for putting forth pretensions in favour of the immunity of the neutral flag and of enemies' goods conveyed under its cover. Considering how completely Russia's commerce was at the mercy of English cruisers in case of a war with England, this could only be regarded as a bold and natural stroke of policy on the part of the ambitious Catherine, and so opportune that there was every prospect of its success. But the English statesmen of those days, in spite of the accumulation of foes, and of perils menacing England's very existence, never for a moment hesitated as to the line of conduct which English interests dictated to them. They defied the armed confederates, and issued letters of marque to prey upon their commerce, and when the Peace of Versailles closed the war and secured the independence of the United States, not one word was said about the neutral flag, nor a single concession made by England to