UMTED STATES OF AMERICA
Department of State.
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has had the honor to receive the note of M. Crampton, Her Britannic Majesty’s envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, of the 2lst instant, accompanied by the déclaration of Her Majesty the queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in regard to the ruie which vvill for the présent be observed to^vards those Powers "with which she is at peace, in the existing ■war with Russie.
The undersigned has submitted those communications to the President, and received his direction to express to Her Majesty’s government his satisfaction that the principle that free ships make free goods, which the United States hâve so long and so strenuousiy contended for as a neutral right, and in which some of the leading Powers of Europe hâve concurred , is to hâve a qualifled sanction hy the practical observance of it in the présent war by both Great Britain and France — two of the most powerfui nations of Europe.
Notwithstanding the sincere gratification which Her Majesty’s déclaration has given to the President , it would hâve been enhanced if the ruIe alluded to had been annonced as one which wouid be observed not only in the présent, but in every future war in which Great Britain shall be a party. The unconditional sanction of this ruie by the Bristish and french governments.
together with the practical observance of it in the présent war, would cause it to be henceforth recognised throughout the civilised World as a general pripciple of international law. This government, from its very commencement, bas labored for its récognition as a neutral right. It has incorporated it in many of ils treaties with foreign powers. France, Russia, Prussia, and other nations, bave, in various ways, fully concurred with the United States in regarding it as a sound and salutary principle, in ail respects proper to be incorporated into the law of nations.
The same considération which has induced Her Britannic Majesty, in concurrence with the Emperor of the French, to présent it as a concession in the présent war, the desire « to préserve the commerce of neutrals from ail unneccssary obstruction », will , it is presumed , hâve equal weight with the belligerents in any future war, and satisfy them that the daims of the principal maritime powers , w hile neutral , to hâve it recognised as a rule of international law, are well founded , and should be no longer contested.
To setle the principle that free ships make free goods, except articles contraband of war, and to prevent it from being called again in question from any quarter or under any circumstances , the United States are désirons to unité with other powers in a déclaration that it shall be observed by each, hereafter, as a rule of international law.
The exemption of the property of neutrals, not contraband, from seizure and confiscation when laden on board an enemy’s vessel, is a right now generally recognised by the law of nations. The president is pleased to perçoive, from the déclaration of Her Britannic Majesty , that the course to be pursued by her cruisers ilt'ill not bring it into question in the présent war.
The undersigned is directed by tbe president to State to Her Majesty's minister to this government that the United-States, while claiming the full enjoyment of their rights as a neutral power, will observe the strictest neutralüy towards each and ail thebelligerents. The laws of this country impose severe restrictions not only upon its own citizens, but upon ail persons who may
be residents wlthin any of the territories of the United States , agnints equipping privateers, receiving commissions, or enlisting roen therein , for the purpose of.taking a part in any foreign war. It is not apprehended that there will be any attempt to violate the laws, but should the just expectation of the President be disappointed, he will not fail in his duty to use ail the power with wich he is invested to enforce obedience to them. Considérations of interest and the obligations of duty alike give assurance that the citizens of the United States will in no way compromit the néutrality of their country by participating in the contest in wich the principal powers of Europe are now unhappily engaged.
The undersigned avails himself of this opportnnity to renew to M. Crampton the assurance of his distinguished considération.
Washington , april 2S, 1854.
John F. Crampton, Esq., etc., etc.
W. L. Mabcy.
XI. — Ordonnance de S. M. le roi de Naplet concernant lu corsaires et le commerce napolitain pendant la guerre.
Sua Maestà il Re N. S. , volendo da un lato conservare in tutta la sua estensione la neutralità adottada nella présenté guerra , e trovando dall’altro conformi ai principi délia sua politica quelli manifestât! dalle Potenze belligérant! circail commercio de’ neutri, si è degnata risolvere;
Che non saranno ammossi ne’ Porti de’ suoi Beali domini legni
armati in corso , nè saran loro somministrati munizioni o attrezzi
di qualunque specie ad essi inservienti ;
Che non saranno ricevuti nei Reali porti gli armatori con prede , se non el caso di pericolo évidente , nè potranno da essi acquistarsi oggetti predati di qualsiasi natura ;
Che non potranno i Régi sudditi prender servizio a bordo di armatori ester! ;
Che i legni di Real bandiera no potranno trasportare verun
APPENDICE SPÉCIAL. N" XII. i93
oggetto riconosciuto corne contrabaudo di guerra ad alcuna delle Potenze belligeranti;
Che i medesimi potranno liberamente dedicarsi al loro conainercio ne' porti enelle rade delle Potenze belligeranti e trasportare nella loro qualità di neutri anche le mercanzie appartenenti a’ sudditl delle dette Potenze, eccettuado pero il conirabando di guerra;
Che infine dovranno i legni di Real bandiera astenersi di entrare in quel porti che trovansi stretti da blocco reale ed effectivo, cioè quando è questo sostenuto da forza sufdciente e quando vi è stata forinale intimazione dall' ufiiiziale che lo comanda ;
Le norme que le Potenze belligeranti seguiranno circa al commercio de'neutri consistono : a che la bandiera copre la mercanzia ; che le propriété de’ neutri, anche su i legni nemiei , sono inviolabili ( escluso in ambo i casi il contrabando di guerra ) ; che il blocco sostenuto da forze proporzionate , edannunziato dovrà rispettarzi ; e che infine non si rilasceranno lettere di marca.
Si rende ci6 a pubblica notizia per norma del commercio.
Napoli, 17 maggio 1864.
Minislerio ad Real secreteria di stato dell' Intemo.
XII. — Décret de S. M. l'Empereur du Brésil concernant les corsaires.
Rio de Janeiro — Ministerio dos negocios «straugeiros , em 17 de maio de 1854.
Illm. e Exm. Sr. — Tenho a honra de participara V. Ex. que S. M. O Imperador, attendendo aos intéressés do commercio de sens snbditos, e desejando observar uma estricta neutralidade durante a guerra que infelizmente existe declarada entre a Grâa- Bretanha e a França por uma parte e a Russia pela outra, houve por bem , de conformidade com os principios do direito internacional e com a legislaeûo do Imperio , adoptar as seguintes resoluçites :
1° Que nenhum corsario com a bandeira de qualquer das po-
49i APPENDICE SPÉCIAL. N“ XIII.
tencias belligérantes, seja armado, approvisionado, ou admittido com suas presas nos portos do Imperio.
2° Que nenhum subdito brazileiro possa tomar parte no armamento de corsarios, nem praticar quasquer actos oppostos aos deveres de uma estricta neutralidade.
Dando a V. Kx. conheciniento destas resoluçôes, tenho de solicitar a V. Ex. que haja de expedir as convenientes ordens e instruççôes aflm de que elias sejûo cumpridas e executadas pelas autoridades do Imperio lhe estûo subordinadas.
Prevaleço-me da occasiûo parareiterar a V. Ex. as seguranças da minha perfeita estima e distincta consideraçâo (1).
Antonio Paulino Limpo de Abbeu.
A. S. Ex. O Sr. José Maria da Silva Paranihos.
