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INTERESTS OF GREAT BRITAIN.as the annihilation of the enemy's commerce and the endeavour to appropriateit to themselves (two facts inseparablefrom the sovereigntyof the sea) became their avowed object.In wars of earlier times, the commerce of belligerent powershad escaped under the protection of neutral flags,and although the celebrated maxim, free ship, free cargo, hadalways been but doubtfully maintained, the dispute couldnever become of much practical importance until some onemaritime power felt itself sufficiently strong to maintain thecontrary. But this unjust oppression, for such the conductof England was felt to be, was not submitted to without resistance; Catharine II. set on foot the armed3neutrality,which the northern powers, and even Portugal, joined ;andHolland herself would have acceded to it, ifEngland hadnot anticipated her doing so by a declaration of war.The armed neutrality was a phenomenon from whichEngland might have derived important lessons ;but she didnot. Submission then was absolutely necessary, unless shewas willing to incur the danger of being involved in a warwith the whole of Europe this submission, however, wasmade ; in silence, unaccompanied by any formal recognitionof the principles which had been set up. All, therefore,that remained was an association which could only be ofpractical utility during the continuance of the war. Theindispensable need of a maritime law of nations was moresensibly felt than ever ;and Catharine had loudly proclaimeditby that association ;but here, as usual, the policy adoptedwas merely to serve a temporary purpose ;and of what usecould a maritime law of nations on paper be when the wantof it,in time of peace, should cease to be felt, and which, itwas obvious, in time of war would be made subservient tothe convenience of individual states ?But another effect of this war upon the continental policyof England was her altered relations with the Netherlands.Internal tranquillity was by no means restored in that country by the peace, and England even found an opportunitythereby of maintaining her influence over it.It is a remarkable circumstance in the history of the continental policy of England, that although she was so deeplyinvolved in the affairs of foreign countries, yet during the1In the year 1781.2 G