UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Department of State.

The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, bas had the honor to receive the note of Mr Grampton , Her Britannic Majesty's envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary , of the 2lst instant, accompanied by the déclaration of Her Majesty the queen of the Unitel Kingdom of Great Britain and treland, in regard to the rule which will for the présent be observed towards those Powers with whicb sbe is at peace , in the existing war with Russia.

The undersigned bas submitted those communications to the Président, and received bis direction to express to Her Majesty's government bis satisfaction tbat the prlnciple that free sbips make free goods, whicb the United States hâve so long and so strenuously contended for as a neutral right, and in whicb some of the leading Powers of Europe bave concurred , is to bave a qualified sanction by the practical observance of it in the présent war by botb Great Britain and France — two of tbe most powerful nations of Europe.

Notwithstanding tbe sincère gratification whicb Her Majesty's déclaration bas given to tbe Président , it would bave been enhanced if the rule alluded to bad been annonced as one whicb would be observed not only in tbe présent, but in every future war in whicb Great Britain sball be a party . The unconditional sanction of tbis rule by theBristish and Frencb governments, together with tbe practical observance of it in tbe présent war, would cause it to be bencefortb recognised throughout tbe civilised world as a gênerai principle of international law. Tbis government , from its very commencement, bas labored for its récognition as a neutral rigbt. It bas incorporated it in many of its treaties with foreign powers. France, Russia, Prussia, and other nations, bave, in varions ways, fuliy concurred with the United States in regarding it as a sound and salutary principle, in ail respects proper to be incorporated into tbe law of nations.

The same considération whicb bas induccd Her Britannic Majesty, in concurrence with the Emperor of tbe Frencb, to présent it as a concession in tbe présent war, tbe désire « to préserve IL 30

ifltt APPE50ICB SPÉCIAL. «* 1.

the oommeree of neutrals from ail unne(*e$sary obstractîoii >, will , it fs pretumed, hâve equal weight wilh the belligerents in any fotare war, and fltttisfy them that the daims of the principal maritime powers, i»'hile neutral , to hâve It reco<;nised as a raie of international law, are weil foanded, and shoold be no longer eontested.

To setle the princîple that tfee 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 desirous to unité with other powers in a deelarntlon that it shall be observed by eaeh, herealter, as a rule of international law.

The exemption of the property of neutrals, not eontrahand, from seli^ure and confiscation when laden on board an'enemy's vessel, Is a right M^ generally recognised by the law of nations. The président le pleased to pereeive, from the déclaration of Her Brttannic Majesty, that the course to be pursued by her cruiseï^ will not bring it Into question In the présent war.

The undersigtied Is direeted by the président to State to Her Mâjesty's mlnlster to this govemmeot that the United States, trhile elaiming the full fenjoyment of their rights as a neutral powe^, t^lll observe the fttfictest neutrnltty towards each ând ail the belligerents. The laws of thls country impose severe rcstrfctiotis ndt only updn fts oirn citiKéns, but upon ail persons %ho may be résident mithin any of the territorles of the United States, agflints equipping prlva(»ers, recel tfng commissions, or enlisting mett thCrein, Air the purpose of taking a part in any foreîgn wari It Is flot appréhende 1 that there wjll be any attempt to vlolate the latr§, but should the Just expeetatlon of the Président be disappointed, he will not fail In his duty to use ail the powêr Witb whieh he Is Inveiited to enforce obédience to them. Consîdèrailonls of Interesl hnû the obligations of duty alîke gîve assurance that the citizens of the United States will in no ivay compromit the neutrailty of thelr fconntry by participating in the coûtent tn whieh the principal powers of Europe are now unhappily engaged.

The nndersigned avalls himself of thîs opportunîty to renew tb Mr Gratnpton the assurance of his distinguished considération. Washington, àpril ^8 4854.

John F. Grampton, Ësq.^ etc., etc.

W. L. Mabgy.

XI. — Ordonnance de S, M, le Roi de Naples concernant les corsaires et le commerce napolitain pendant la guerre,

Saa Maestà il Re N. S. ^ volendo da un lato conservare in tutta la sua estensione la neutralità adottada neila présente ^uerra, e trovando dalF altro conformi ai prineipi délia sua politiea quelli manifestatl dalle Poteuzfe belligerauti circa il commercio de' neùtrî, si è'degiïata risolvere :

Ghe non saranno ammossi ne* Porti de* âuôl Reall domini legni armati in corso, ne saran loro somministrati niunizioiiii o atirezzi dl quâlunque specie ad essi inservienti ;

Che non saranno Mceviitl nel Reall porti gli armatorî con prede, se non ei casodi pericolo évidente, né potranno da essi aequistarsi ogeretti predali di qualsiasl natura;

Clie non potranno 1 Régi saddlti pretider sefvizio a bordo di armatori esteri;

Che l legni di Real bandiera iio potranùo trasportare Vefiin oggetto Hcotiosclilto corne conttàbando di guerra ad alcuna delIe Potenze belligeranti;

Che 1 rtiedesiifti ^otraflnd llberamenfe dedicarsi al loro commercio ne' porti enelle radô délie Potenze belligeranti é trasportare nella loro quàlîtà dl netltri anttie lé ffiefdanzîe appartenenti à* sudditi délie dette Potenze, édcettaadô t)erô il contrabàndô èX guerra;

Che infine dovratino l ïègtti dl Real bandiera astenersi di entrare in quei porti che trovanisi stretti da bloeco reale ed effectivo , cioè quaudo è ouesto sostenuto da forza sufficiente e quando vi è âtata formate intimazione dalP uffiziale 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 nemici , sono inviolabili {escluso in ambo Icasill éontrabando dî guerra) ; ctie il biocco sostenuto daforze proporzioùate, éd anntinziàto dovrà rispettarzi; e che infine non si rilasceranno lettere di marea.

Si rende cio a pubbliea notizia per norma del commercio. Napoli, 47 magid 4854.

Ministerio da Real secreteria di stato deW Jnterno.

468 APPBH0ICB SPÉCIAL. — X** XII, XIII.