To James Madison from William Lee, 7 December 1806
From William Lee
Bordeaux Decr. 7t. 1806
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit to you by triplicate this day an Imperial decree declaring Great Britain in a state of Blockade.1 It appears to be understood by the merchants of this city, that all Vessels destined for England, or that may have cleared in America for England, and a market, will from this date be considered as good prizes to all french cruisers. The fifth article of this decree would seem to confirm this interpretation of the merchants of Bordeaux.2 Genl. Armstrong will undoubtedly ⟨a⟩sk some explanation and it is to be hoped this Government will give such as to prevent any depredations on our Commerce.3 When questioned on this point I have opposed the interested views of the merchants the article of ⟨o⟩ur Convention with France declaring the flag to protect the property but without success4 they feel persuaded they will be permitted to arm private ships, to enforce this decree and they only wait further information on the subject from Paris. I dispatch this by a boat to endeavour to overtake several American Vessels which are detained by contrary winds at the mouth of the river. With great respect I have the honor to remain Your Obt St
Wm Lee
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, CD, Bordeaux, vol. 2). For enclosures, see nn. 1 and 3.
1. Enclosure not found, but for the Berlin Decree, see James Bowdoin to JM, 2 Dec. 1806, n. 1.
2. Article V of the Berlin Decree reads: “The trade in English merchandise is forbidden. All merchandise belonging to England, or coming from its manufactories and colonies, is declared lawful prize” (ASP, Foreign Relations, 3:290).
3. Lee also apparently enclosed a copy of Lee to John Armstrong, 7 Dec. 1806 (3 pp.; docketed by Wagner). Lee related the same concerns about the fifth article and expressed additional concerns about the second article, which prohibited letters written in English from passing through the post office (ASP, Foreign Relations, 3:290).
4. Article XIV of the Convention of 1800 stipulated “that free ships shall give a freedom to goods, and that every thing shall be deemed to be free, and exempt which shall be found on board the ships belonging to the citizens of either of the contracting parties, altho’ the whole lading, or any part thereof should appertain to the enemies of either” (Miller, Treaties, 2:468).