The "question" of American brigs seized by Murat for Napoleon order in Naples between 1809 and 1812

During the reign of Charles of Bourbon, the reorganization of a strong merchant navy was actively encouraged. These first attempts were followed by more frequent voyages to the Americas when strong merchant vessels were built in Sorrento. Then, at the end of the 18th century, after the American Declaration of Independence, first diplomatic relations were established between the Bourbon kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the United States, which intensified during the 19th century. After Napoleon’s rise to power, the Italian Peninsula was invaded by the French in 1799. The Bourbons fled to the island of Sicily. Under Napoleon the Kingdom of Naples was ruled first by Napoleon’s brother Joseph and then by Napoleon’ brother- in- law Joachim Murat.