CULTURE OF THE SUGAK BEET. 25 



prosperity to all the continental nations received almost its death-blow. 

 The beginning of the war with Eussia interfered with its progress in 

 that conntry. The destructive passage of foreign and contending armies 

 destroyed completely not only this, but other and more flourishing in- 

 dustries in Germany, and the final conflict on French territory and the 

 downfall of Napoleon, who has been described as the second father of 

 the industry, resulted in its almost complete extinction in France, and 

 the withdrawal on the part of the immediate successor of the great Em- 

 peror of the encouragement he had accorded was nearly as disastrous 

 as had been the malicious depredations which were perpetrated by the 

 enemy's troops, and it required the patient labor of more than another 

 decade to accomplish what Xapoleon had been able to establish in about 

 one -third that time. 



But it must not be supposed that this new enterprise, which had as- 

 sumed such formidable proportions, was during its development favored 

 with a constant belief of the entire people of all nations in its value and 

 its efficacy to supply a substitute for the staple of the tropical climes, 

 which had formed the basis of much of the maritime commerce of the 

 time. If Achard received ridicule at home and was looked upon by 

 many of his countrymen as an insane enthusiast, but which prejudice 

 by presentation of substantial evidences he was able to dissipate, the 

 criticisms heaped upon Xapoleon were of the bitterest character abroad, 

 and the mutterings which could not under imperial rules enjoy unre- 

 strained expression were not unknown to him, nor did they in any way 

 affect the firmness of his resolution or his charity toward his critics at 

 home, as is shown in the following address he made to the chamber of 

 commerce March 11, 1811, in which he says : 



The Berlin and Milan decrees are the fundamental laws of my empire as regards 

 neutral commerce. I consider the flag an extension of territory, and the nation which 

 suffers it to he violated shall not he considered neutral. 



The fate of American commerce shall soon he decided. I will favor it if the United 

 States will conform to these decrees : on the contrary, their ships will he excluded 

 from my empire. 



Commercial relations with England must cease. I proclaim it to you, gentlemen, dis- 

 tinctly. Merchants who have transactions there to settle or funds to withdraw should 

 do it as quickly as possible. I gave this advice some time ago to the merchants of 

 Antwerp, and they have profited by it. 



I wish for peace, but not a patched-up one. I wish for it sincerely, and for snch an 



one as will afford me sufficient guarantees, for I have not lost sight of Amiens or 



St. Domingo, or the losses which commerce sustained from the last declaration of war. 

 ******* 



I have a knowledge of what is passing in the counting houses of merchants. I know 

 they denounce in high terms my measures and say I am badly advised. I will not 

 blame them for their impressions, because, not having a view of the whole ground, 

 they have not an opportunity to calculate and judge as I do. Nevertheless, those who 

 have lately arrived from England will inform you of the injuriotis consequences pro- 

 duced in that country from an interruption of their commerce with the continent, and 



may say it is possible I am right and that my designs may be accomplished. 



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I am informed that from late experiments France will be enabled to do without the 



