An American Contribution to the Armed Neutrality of 1780

Abstract

The League of Armed Neutrality of 1780 is hardly terra incognito to historians. But while its negative effect on Great Britain's ability to prosecute the War for American Independence is generally admitted, less widely recognized is America's role in the creation of the League. This role was not an inconsiderable one; for it was the daring activities of an American privateer out of Boston that induced Catherine II of Russia to take her first hesitant steps toward the establishment of her famous naval code.' Russian commerce in the second half of the eighteenth century was extremely vulnerable. Almost totally lacking a merchant fleet, Russia was dependent upon the naval powers of Northern Europe for transportation of her goods. Approximately sixty percent of all Russian exports left the country in British bottoms, while much of the remainder was carried out by the United Provinces and Denmark. Whereas Great Britain tended to be governed in her naval conduct by the rule of consolato del mare (belligerent goods-a term broadly construed-contaminate a neutral vessel), the other northern powers usually adhered to the principle of free ships, free goods. In time of general European war, Russian products in British bottoms might well be seized by Britain's enemies, and Russian products in the bottoms of northern Europe nations (including Russia) -by Britain herself. This was precisely the predicament in which Russia found herself as the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. From the very outbreak of hostilities the British navy intercepted ships, regardless of the flag flown, suspected of carrying Russian naval stores to the enemy. American privateers, on the other hand, attacked