Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 25.

[p. 70] that Alexander should stop it. Alexander refused. ‘Then began Napoleon's preparations to invade Russia. Thus the Baltic trade of Massachusetts played an important, if unconscious, part in the chain of events that led Napoleon to Moscow and to St. Helena.’¹

There were a number of Medford ships in the East India trade at this time. The ship Gulliver, built in 1806 by Thatcher Magoun for Joseph Lee, Jr., of Boston, was one. The Gulliver is reported February 13, 1810, at the Vineyard as arriving from Calcutta. Her cargo is not given, but other vessels from that port brought indigo, ginger, and cotton and silk goods.

Also, February 23, 1810. Left at Calcutta, October 8, the brig Gipsey, Linzee, to sail in three or four weeks. The Gipsey, also, was built in 809 at the yard of Thatcher Magoun, for Joseph Lee, Jr., of Boston.

‘May 8, 1810. Sailed brig Gipsey, Pulcifer for India; passenger, Capt. George Lee.’

‘August 28, 1810. The Ariadne, arrived at New York from Gottenburg, was detained off the Scaw by a Danish gunboat, but permitted to proceed after a strict examina ion.’

Medford ship building started at the height of the prosperity of the Northwest trade. The European trade was very profitable, also, owing to the high prices obtained during the Napoleonic wars, in spite of frequent capture and condemnation of vessels. George Cabot said, ‘profits were such that if only one out of three vessels escaped capture, her owners could make a handsome profit on the lot.’

This continued up to the time of the embargo by the Jefferson administration, the outcome of the impressment of seamen of the U. S.S. Chesapeake on the high seas.

This measure was unpopular in New England and revived the Federalist party, which had almost ceased to exist.