Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Developement Of The Views Of The French Nation.
in the universe * ? Or that Holland should gradually lose , as in great part it has done , itsfamouslinen manufactures to Ireland and Scotland ? ' There never occurred before an object more important for the consideration of the British Legislature , and of every individual in this country , than the present conflict with France . The rulers of that country , during the latter part . of the revolution , fuve always held outand the present rulers avow the samethat their principal
, , viewsare the destruciiorrof the British commerce and maimf . ictui c-s . — - 'Peace with the whole world , and continual war with England until it is ruined , by the destruction ofits commerce , " is the language they adopt ! ' If tve consider the situation of France , on the South surro nded by the Mediterranean Sea ; on the West , defended by the PA renean Mountains ; on the Northsurrounded again b'the Ocean , the
Bri-, y tish Channel , and the North Sea , and on the East , by the Rivers Scheldt , Maese , and Rhine , up to the Alp *;; besides the conquered countries actually in their possession on the Mediterranean Sea—If we consider that France , notwithstanding the late depopulation , still contains upwards of twenty-four millions of inhabitUms ( a number far superior to the population of any ' other empire in Europe)—If we
consider the numerous riveis in France , of " which upwards , of three hundred are partly navigable by nature , arid several ' others rendered so by art—the important canals ahead ' ,- completed , those decreed to be established , and their union with the fivers and caua'L of the allied countries—the advantages they Avill reap are incalculable . ' '
- ' Many wars , ' says our Author , ' have been commenced by the powers in Europe to dispute the navigation of one or other sea or river of much less consequence than the present contest for these rivers . - It is not wealth an-. i universal opulence alone they try to monopolize ,- but also , at every future period , to . prescribe to and direct Germany and Holland ; ancl to use their naval strength more powerfully against other nationstp which they ma-- in future chuse to direct it .
, ' ' By the treaty of alliance with the United Provinces , and the decree of Union of the countries down'to the borders of the Rhine and ¦ Maese , the French nation will become direct masters of all the ports from Dunkirk to the further extremity of Holland ; besides possessing the exclusive navigation of the Rhine , the Maese , and fhe Scheldt . ' To England would remain only the port of Hamburgh , and a portion
of the trade oh the river Elbe , to rival this extensive p > wer . ¦ ' The junction-of the-Seine and Rhone with the river Rhine , by the river Doubs , . tviil open an interior Avater cairiage through the whole of France , from tbe Mediterranean sea . ihe bay of Biscay , and tbe British Channel , into the centre of Germany , tbe United Provinces of Hollandand the Netherlands . It is well knoAvn that the preference
, given to the river Doubs-over the river Moselle , to effect that junction , would even extend the interior navigation , by a junction with the Danube , to the extremities of Europe ; as would a canal if thirty miles , from Biisach to the head of the . Danube , open a communication also into the centre of Germany , Hungary , to the Biack Sea ' , and the European Tun , e-y . The' canal of Burgundy ( joining the bay of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Developement Of The Views Of The French Nation.
in the universe * ? Or that Holland should gradually lose , as in great part it has done , itsfamouslinen manufactures to Ireland and Scotland ? ' There never occurred before an object more important for the consideration of the British Legislature , and of every individual in this country , than the present conflict with France . The rulers of that country , during the latter part . of the revolution , fuve always held outand the present rulers avow the samethat their principal
, , viewsare the destruciiorrof the British commerce and maimf . ictui c-s . — - 'Peace with the whole world , and continual war with England until it is ruined , by the destruction ofits commerce , " is the language they adopt ! ' If tve consider the situation of France , on the South surro nded by the Mediterranean Sea ; on the West , defended by the PA renean Mountains ; on the Northsurrounded again b'the Ocean , the
Bri-, y tish Channel , and the North Sea , and on the East , by the Rivers Scheldt , Maese , and Rhine , up to the Alp *;; besides the conquered countries actually in their possession on the Mediterranean Sea—If we consider that France , notwithstanding the late depopulation , still contains upwards of twenty-four millions of inhabitUms ( a number far superior to the population of any ' other empire in Europe)—If we
consider the numerous riveis in France , of " which upwards , of three hundred are partly navigable by nature , arid several ' others rendered so by art—the important canals ahead ' ,- completed , those decreed to be established , and their union with the fivers and caua'L of the allied countries—the advantages they Avill reap are incalculable . ' '
- ' Many wars , ' says our Author , ' have been commenced by the powers in Europe to dispute the navigation of one or other sea or river of much less consequence than the present contest for these rivers . - It is not wealth an-. i universal opulence alone they try to monopolize ,- but also , at every future period , to . prescribe to and direct Germany and Holland ; ancl to use their naval strength more powerfully against other nationstp which they ma-- in future chuse to direct it .
, ' ' By the treaty of alliance with the United Provinces , and the decree of Union of the countries down'to the borders of the Rhine and ¦ Maese , the French nation will become direct masters of all the ports from Dunkirk to the further extremity of Holland ; besides possessing the exclusive navigation of the Rhine , the Maese , and fhe Scheldt . ' To England would remain only the port of Hamburgh , and a portion
of the trade oh the river Elbe , to rival this extensive p > wer . ¦ ' The junction-of the-Seine and Rhone with the river Rhine , by the river Doubs , . tviil open an interior Avater cairiage through the whole of France , from tbe Mediterranean sea . ihe bay of Biscay , and tbe British Channel , into the centre of Germany , tbe United Provinces of Hollandand the Netherlands . It is well knoAvn that the preference
, given to the river Doubs-over the river Moselle , to effect that junction , would even extend the interior navigation , by a junction with the Danube , to the extremities of Europe ; as would a canal if thirty miles , from Biisach to the head of the . Danube , open a communication also into the centre of Germany , Hungary , to the Biack Sea ' , and the European Tun , e-y . The' canal of Burgundy ( joining the bay of