Евгений Тарле - Сочинения. Том 3

Ces filatures alimentoient les fabriques de Montpellier qui offroient un double avantage à la France; par leurs teintures en ronge qui comsommoient les huiles, et d’avancer d’autres productions de notre sol;

Les tissus et les filés en couleurs de ces deux villes s’exportaient dans les iles et en Espagne, débouchés entièrement perdus pour nous, l’Espagne en a entièrement prohibé l’entrée et la consommation de nos colonies est réduite à peu de chose;

Remarquons, néanmoins, que l’Angleterre ne cesse d’introduire ses filés et tissus en coton dans le Portugal et de là en Espagne, ensorte que bientôt nos toiles de Flandre et de Voyron y auront très peu de consommation par la preferance qu’on y accorde aux kalicots et perkales anglaises pour chemises et autres;

Les fabriques de Lyon et de Nîsmes emploient beaucoup de coton filé, mélangés avec de la soie; et font ainsi des étofes qui ont cours dans le nord de l’Europe; mais les filés anglaises s’y présentent encore en concurence, et les bas prix leurs obtient la préférence;

C’est cotons filés audessous du N 60 quoique prohibés, ne parviennent pas moins, on ne sait comment, dans le cœur de la France; sans doute à la faveur de ceux qui sont d’une finisse supérieure et toujours par une maneuvre coupable;

L’arrété de S. M. l’Empereur de jour complémentaire an 13, en augmentant les droits d’entrée sur les fils et tissus en coton, ne remédiera pas au mal que font aux nôtres ceux venant de l’Angleterre, pareeque les primes que le gouvernement anglais accorde au commerce sur les exportations, et les gros bénéfices qu’il fait sur tout ce qu’il tire de i’Inde, lui permettront de baisser les prix de ces objets au point de les livrer au dessous de ceux de nos fabriques:

Craint-on qu’une prohibitions totale prive nos fabriques d’indiennes des toiles necéssaires pour leurs consomations? on ne le pense pas; des miliers de métiers sont prêts à se monter; pour peu que la consomation de leurs tissus soit assurée à Nîsmes, à Montpellier et à Avignon, on est sûr que plus de trois mille ouvriers qui ne font rien, se livruiroient à ce genre d’industrie, auqueis ils sont si familliers est qui est si facile à enseigner que dans 40 à 45 jours ils pourroient dresser la même quantité d’apprenifs; sans compter que l’emploi de la navette volante pour les tissus de grandes largeurs, réduit le nombre des tisseurs de moitié; sans compter encore que les filés, provenant de nouvelles machines, ont plus de prix et l’ouvrier fait un tiers de plus d’ouvrage;

Ainsi l’on peut affirmer que les fabriques de France seroient bientôt à même de fournir les quantités des tissus nécessaires à celles d’indiennes et même an delà;

Ajoutons à toutes ces considérations que non seulement la France s’allegeroit d’un tribut enorme envers son ennemi implacable en cessant d’importer ses fils et tissus en coton, mais même l’on verroit bientôt d’autres états imiter son exemple et appauvrir d’autant cette puissance ambitieuse et jalouse qui ne cesse de méditer la ruine des autres états pour s’emparer du commerce du monde;

Ainsi le héros qui gouverne la France ajoutera beaucoup à sa gloire, il aplanira une partie des obstacles qui s’opposent à ses grands desseins — contre ces audacieux insulaires, s’il parvient à affranchir la France du tribut annuel quelle est forcée de lui fournir, que dis-je? à présent que ses éclatantes victoires l’on rendu l’arbitre des destinées des états du continent, qu’il exige pour condition essentielle de la paix qu’il leur accorde, que tout les ports du continent soient fermés aux Anglais, et bientôt la superbe Albion renoncera à l’acte de navigation inventé par Cromwell, et conformant ses principes à ceux que la justice et l’humanité prescrivent à toutes les nations policées, elle se bornera à jouïr des avantages de sa position, de son industrie et de sa civilisation, sans s’opposer à ce que les autres nations usent du même privilège;

En exigeant une pareille mesure de la part des autres états de l’Europe, l’Empereur ne feroit que leur bien; puisqu’ils n’en est aucun qui ne soit également tributaire de l’Angleterre, tant pour les objets en question, que pour une infinité d’autres; et alors colla tourneroit l’industrie de leur population de ce coté, et pourroit, en attendant qu’elle eût atteint la perfection nécéssaire, fournir un débouché à l’excédent de nos filés;

A cet effet les fileurs et tisseurs soussignés déposent aux pieds du trône leurs respectueuses observations avec la confiance que la premier regard de l’Empereur, après avoir réglé le sort de ses illustres compagnons, se portera sur la partie industrieuse de ses peuples, qui en faisant des vœux pour la conservation de sa précieuse personne, ne cesse de concourir par ses laborieux travaux, au soulagement de la classe indigente et la prospérité du commerce et l’agriculture.

Fait à Crest le 17-e février 1806.

(следуют подписи).

Vu pour legalisation des signatures des fileurs et tisseurs de Crest qui ont signé cy dernier.

Fait en mairie à Crest le 19 février 1806.

Bellier.

VI

Нац. арх.

AF. IV — 1060, pièce n° 39.

28 février 1806.

A Sa Majesté l’Empereur et Boi.

Sire!

Votre Majesté à bien voulu prendre en considération les réclamations des fileurs et tisseurs français, et déjà Votre décret du 22 février ranime nos esperances, daignez, Sire, en agréer l’hommage de notre respectueuse reconnaissence.

Oui, Sire, tout effrayés que nous soyons du droit imposé à l’introduction des cotons en laine, nous osons nous flatter, que l’exécution stricte et sévère, des intentions salutaires du décret, en debarassant l’industrie française du monopole de nos ennemis, rendra à nos ateliers toute l’activité possible, et nous donnera les moyens de fournir aux manufactures de toiles peintes, des belles qualités, à des prix modérés, en quantité suffissante et même au delà de leurs besoins pour les amener à regarder ainsi que nous, le décret du 22 février comme un nouveau et important bienfait de Votre Majesté.

Nous sommes, Sire, avec le plus profond respect, de Votre Majesté Impériale et Royale.

Les fidèles serviteurs et sujets, Les fileurs du Département de la Seine et environs.

Paris, le 28 février 1806.

(13 подписей)

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.