386 
LAISSEZ FAIRE 
A.D. 1776 So far as England was concerned, the most serious difficulty 
—1850. to our manufacturers, involving as it did the suffering of the 
operatives, was due to the indirect effect of the measures 
which had been taken by Government in the supposed in- 
terests of British trade. As the United States had profited 
more than any of the other neutrals from carrying on the 
trade between France and her colonies, American ship-owners 
suffered more than those of other neutral nations by the Orders 
in Council and the Berlin and Milan Decrees; both of the bel- 
ligerents® had imposed and enforced restrictions on American 
commerce, and their action roused increasing indignation in 
the United States. The Orders in Council were not issued 
in England without considerable opposition from those who 
wished to maintain friendly relations with America. In 1809 
the United States passed a non-intercourse Act, and made 
preparations for open hostilities. Hence these Orders, by 
straining our relations with the United States, had most 
serious results on the condition of this country. When their 
produce was not shipped to Spain and France, the United 
States could not deal so largely in our manufactures; the in- 
terruption of trade with them threatened a third of our foreign 
affected our commerce, increased the difficulties of our food supply, and cut 
wmpplies of ‘ , 
naterial off a portion of the supply of raw cotton for the Lancashire 
end food spinners. As competitors in trade, they had foiled our at- 
tempts to isolate France and throw her on her own resources. 
War in disguise had been carried on under the colour of a 
neutral flag; but in retaliating for this evil, the British 
Government brought about a condition of affairs, in which 
every branch of trade connected with America suffered, and 
suffered severely. Smuggling of every kind, with all its 
attendant evils, was of constant occurrence’, and English 
public opinion became more and more sensible of the mischiefs 
caused by the policy we had adopted. The Government, 
however, pursued its course, though assenting, in answer to 
an appeal from Lord Brougham? to a conditional repeal of 
the Orders in Council, when Napoleons Decrees should be 
withdrawn. Before effect could be given to this view. however, 
13 well as 
nur many- 
factures. 
\ Tucker, Life of Jefferson, m. 291. 
2 Marquis of Lansdowne. quoted by Leone Levi, op. ett. 110. 8 75. 111.