The French Assault on American Shipping, 1793-1813

Download or read book The French Assault on American Shipping, 1793-1813 written by Greg H. Williams and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2009-10-21 with total page 543 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras, France was plagued by war and crop failures and was desperately in need of supplies. Legally and illegally, French privateers and cruisers took cargo from merchant vessels of every nation, perhaps the United States more than any other. At least 6,479 U.S. claims involving more than 2,300 vessels were filed and these claims give a close approximation of American goods lost to the French. The three main sections of this reference book present a comprehensive accounting of the losses (arranged by ship), descriptions of court cases involving important questions of law, and the disposition of claims. Also included are a glossary, a list of geographical locations mentioned in the text, and an overview of relevant acts of Congress, proclamations, treaties, and foreign decrees.