gmertca, , ?|emp, an& JUapoleon - Vote Hemp

America, Russia, Hemp,and Napoleonin a very uncomfortable position. Th e story of the vessel "WilliamGustave," of Bordeaux, is a case in point. At the beginningof 1810, that vessel appeared in Russiaflyingtheflagof aneutral. She had come to Russia from France via England. TheRussian authorities, following the precepts of the ContinentalSystem, sequestered it. Th e "William Gustave" then presenteda French license authorizing it to trade with England. Followinginstructions from Paris, Caulaincourt obtained the vessel'sliberation in October, 1810. 41 This was a very embarrassingepisode for Caulaincourt, and one which Alexander did notforget or forgive.No r did Caulaincourt. Whe n he returned to France, hecandidly told Napoleon that the Continental System wouldhave been rigidly enforced from Archangel to Danzig if onlyNapoleon "had frankly imposed upon himself those privationsand sacrifices which he wished to demand of others." 42The complaint of Alexander's which Caulaincourt foundmost difficult to answer during the 7 December exchange hadto do with French dalliance with neutral traders. It was awidely know n fact that, whenever Napoleon thought it politic,France recognized neutral vessels and traded for the colonialgoods they brought. "Let us speak frankly," said Alexander."Wha t is the object for France of the measures that you take? Itis to have alone the benefits of the commerce in colonial goods,to have a monopoly of it. ...Wh y haven't I the right toreceive sugar from the Americans . . . "?" 43As Alexander and Caulaincourt chatted over wine ofEurope's fate, Captain Coggeshall and his fellow Americanskippers were busy finding comfortable winter quarters for184