a belligerent to a neutral is considered by France to be illegal; and whereas a great part of the shipping of France and of her allies has been protected from capture during the present hostilities by transfers or pretended transfers to neutrals; and whereas it is fully justifiable to adopt the same rule, in this respect, towards the enemy which is applied by the enemy to this country," his Majesty in Council consequently orders "that in future the sale to a neutral of any vessel belonging to the enemy shall not be deemed to be legal, nor in any manner to transfer the property, nor to alter the character of such vessel; and all vessels now belonging, or which shall hereafter belong, to any enemies of his Majesty, notwithstanding any sale or pretended sale to a neutral, after a reasonable time shall have elapsed for receiving information of this order, at the place where such sale or pretended sale was effected, shall be captured and brought in, and shall be adjudged as lawful prize to the captors."
Preamble of third Order in Council. The third, and far the most important order, issued on the 11th November, 1807, declared the absolute blockade of his Majesty's dominions, and of all countries under their control, with certain exceptions which were specified. The much criticised preamble recited that "whereas certain orders establishing an unprecedented system of warfare against this kingdom, and aimed especially at the destruction of its commerce and resources, were some time since issued
- [Footnote: *cence in a code which violated the rights of independent States would
compel this country to take steps for its own protection. . . . The Decree is certainly directed against the Americans—it is a menace to her; . . . she must choose her party."]
