E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mil’an Decree (The).
A decree made by Napoleon I., dated “Milan, Dec. 27, 1807,” declaring “the whole British E&mgrave;pire to be in a state of blockade, and forbidding all countries either from trading with Great Britain or from even using an article of British manufacture.”
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This very absurd decree was killing the goose which laid the golden eggs, for England was the best customer of the very countries thus restricted from dealing with her.
