Continental system

[Sarah]

The system of commercial blockade aiming to exclude Englandfrom commerce with the Continent instituted by the Berlin decree,which Napoleon I. issued from Berlin Nov. 21, 1806, declaring theBritish Isles to be in a state of blockade, and British subjects,property, and merchandise subject to capture, and excluding Britishships from all parts of Europe under French dominion. The retaliatorymeasures of England were followed by the Milan decree, issued byNapoleon from Milan Dec. 17, 1807, imposing further restrictions, anddeclaring every ship going to or from a port of England or hercolonies to be lawful prize.