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80 is determined to maintain them; they have at all times contributed essentially to the maritime power of Great Britain" No hostilities actually ensued, and in May, 1809; the coalition was dissolved, its defeat being owing to the same causes which dissolved the second armed neutrality.

It is well worthy of remark that the moment this coalition was dissolved, Alexander turned round, as Catherine had done in 1793, and exceeded the measure of Great Britain's maritime pretensions, in confiscating not only enemies' (French) goods, but also the neutral vessels in which they were found, in all cases where more than half the cargo consisted of enemies' goods.

To carry on the history of the attitude assumed by the English Government in this important matter,—in 1812, in the English declaration in answer to the French demands—as to the terms of peace—it was said:—"By these demands (the neutral flag covering the enemies' cargo), the