Napoleon, after Britain' passage of the Orders…

Napoleon, after Britain' passage of the Orders in Council (1807), retaliates with the Milan Decree, issued on December 17, 1807, which declares that all neutral shipping using British ports, or paying British tariffs, are to be regarded as British and seized.

The decree authorizes French warships and privateers to capture neutral ships sailing from any British port or from any country that is occupied by British forces.

It also declares that any ships that submit to search by the Royal Navy on the high seas are to be considered lawful prizes if captured by the French.