On February 19, 1807 the Spanish king issued a decree which was in many ways very similar to the Berlin Decree issued by the French. As was the Berlin decree, Spain's decree was a response to the Orders of Council issued by Great Britain which condemned all trade with France and her allies. The decree began by declaring that the British had forced Spain in to the war "by the greatest outrage against humanity, and against policy". Great Britain had declared commercial warfare, and Spain was going to fight back. So, the King of Spain issued a decree known as the Decree of Aranjuez that all merchandise "destined for the ports of England or her isles" would be confiscated. The King of Spain declared that this treaty was in conformance with that of their ally France and followed the same principles of "reciprocity and suitable respect" as was promulgated or declared in the Berlin decree. Under the Spanish decree, a number of American merchants were captured and sent to admirality courts for judgement where the French interpretation of reciprocity was applied. To Thomas Jefferson this was adding insult to injury. Spain and the United States were nearing a settlement of differences over border disputes, but this was a very serious complaint that required further investigation. In his 1807 annual address to Congress, Thomas Jefferson was urging Congress to review the decree and determine whether or not it truly was "conformable" to that of the Berlin Decree of 1806.
"Our differences with Spain remain still unsettled, no measure having been taken on her part since my last communications to Congress to bring them to a close. But under a state of things which may favor reconsideration they have been recently pressed, and an expectation is entertained that they may now soon be brought to an issue of some sort. With their subjects on our borders no new collisions have taken place nor seem immediately to be apprehended. To our former grounds of complaint has been added a very serious one, as you will see by the decree a copy of which is now communicated. Whether this decree, which professes to be conformable to that of the French Government of 1806 November 21, heretofore communicated to Congress, will also be conformed to that in its construction and application in relation to the United States had not been ascertained at the date of our last communications. These, however, gave reason to expect such a conformity."France says forbids trade with Great Britain. Great Britain forbids trade with France and here allies. Spain forbids trade with Great Britain. Just what do you think President Thomas Jefferson will do next? Coming soon, the Embargo Act of 1807
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29449
The United States: its beginnings, progress and modern development, Volume 5, Jesse Ames Spencer, pg. 184
The American Diplomatic Code, Embracing & Collection of Treaties and Conventions between the United States and Foreign Powers: from 1778 to 1834 with an Abstract of Important Judicial Decisions on Points connected with Our Foreign Relations also A Concise Diplomatic Manual containing a Summary of the Law of Nations - in 2 Volumes - Vol II with notes and indexes (1834_, pg. 595
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