English and Foreign.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 394, 16 August 1856, Page 4

English and Foreign.

THE TREATY OF PEACE, 1856. (From the " European Times,'•• 6th May.) Paris, Sunday, April 27th. The Plenipotentiaries of the' Congress of -Fans met to-day, at three o'clock, at th*» Ministry O f Foreign Affairs, and proceeded to the Exchange of the Ratifications of the following lie.tty of Peace :— ■ Article I.—From the day of the exchange of the ratification of the present treaty the°re shall be peace and friendship "between "his -Majesty the Emperor of the French, her Ma- •£ St- V l\l .Q" ecu of the United Kingdom 'of Great Britain and Ireland, his Majesty the King O f bardmia, his Majesty the Ssilta'ii, of the one part, and his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russians of the other part, as well a between .hen- heirs ond succeMjurs, the respecf .»e btates, and sul.jects in perpetuity Article 2.—Peace being happily "established between ihe,r-afore,aid majesties, the territories conqueied or■ occup.ed by theit armies durino-: the war shall be reciprocally evacuated. Spe" : cial arrangements shall regulate the mode of ;~on,.whioh shall; b/effected as *Z "the P^,r" " M;UeS- Uie E^P"orof all \ the Ri |S ,ias engages to restore to his M-nesty . the n Suh:^ t»wn/ and citadel of R^% Aincle 4,—Tbeir Majesties the Emperor of Ac French, the Qaeen. of the U,ntTd % n E domofGreatßritain.and Ireland, lekn" of towns an^ mPe- rOr °f al' Ule Plllssias lhe to«ns and ports of Sebasfcopol Bil:i'-l-iva Kam,esch, Eupatoria, and Kertch Jsal'llkUv'1 ' Slit Sr; asvlr of ''""if " I-" fu" ? d emile amnesty-io those ! prom'ed I J6IS Who ' nay Ilave been 'com-M-i^ "r c Ein)' enn' »f Austria, Hi s ' Jur : iic Law and system of Europe. Their iUaj.-sn^s encase, each on his parr, to respect We jii'fcpeiifleuce uud the territorial integrity

of the Ottoman Umpire—guarantee in common the strict observance of that engagement, and will in consequence consider any act tending'tp its violation as a question of general interest. Article B.—l/ there shall arise between the Sublime Porte and one or more of the other signing powers any misunderstanding which might endanger the mainteu;inue of their relations, the Sublime .Porte, and each of such powers, before having recourse to the use of force, shall afford the other contracting powers the opportunity of. preventing such an extremity by means of their mediation. Article 9. —lI.M. the Sultan,in his constant anxiety for the well being of his subjects, having granted (octroye) a firman, which, in amelioration of their lot without distinction of religion or race, proves-his generous intentions towards the Christian population of his Empire, and desiring to give a further proof of his sentiments in this regard, has resolved to communicate to the contracting powers the said finnan ; spontaneously emanating from his Sovereign will. The contracting powers acknowledge (Constatent) the great value of this communication. It is quite understood that the fact of this communication cannot in any case give to the said powers a right to interfere, either collectively or separately, in the relations of H.M. the Sultan with his subjects or in the internal administration of his empire. Article 10.—The Convention of July 13, 1841, which maintains the old regulation of the Ottoman Empire rel itive to the closing of the Straits of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, has been revised by common accord. Tlie act concluded with this view, and comformably to that principle between the high contracting parties is and remains annexed to the present treaty—and shall have the same force and value as if it had formed an integral part of it. Article li.—The Black Sea is neutralized. Open to the Mercantile marines of all nations, its waters and ports are formally and in perpetuity interdicted to flags of 'war, whether belonging to the bordering powers' (puissances river aines) or to any other power, save and except the exceptions mentioned in Articles fourteen and nineteen, of the present treaty. Article 12.—Freed from ail impediments (enlmves), trade in the ports and wateisof the Black Sea shall only be subjected to regulations of health, customs and police, conceived in a spiiit favourable to the development of commercial transactions. In order to' give every desirable security to Uncommercial and maritime interests of all nations, Russia and the Sublime Porte will admit consuls in ports situated on the coast' (littoral) of the Black Sea, conformably to the ' principles of'inteYnationsil law. Article. 13.—The Black.Sea being neutralized according to the terms of Article 11, the maintenance, or establishment on the coasts of Military ■Maritime-. Arsenals becomes unnecessary, < -and without, object. In consequence, PI. M. ' ths Emperor of all the Ilussias and H. m. the Sultan engage.; neither" to construct nor preserve any Military Maritime Arsenal upon : that coast. - . . ..-.. ; : .

Article 14.—Their Majesties the' Emperor of all the Russias and the Sultan have concluded a convention for the purpose of determining the force and number -of light.vessels', necessary for " the service 6n the coasts, winch they leserve to themselves the right of keeping up in the Black Sea. This convention is 'annexed to the present treaty, and shall, have the same force and value as if it had formed an integral part of it. The convention can neither be annulled nor modified without the consent of the Powers, parties to ihis treaty. Article 15.—The Act of the Congress of Vienna having established the principles destined to regulate the navigation of the'rivers which separate or traverse the Slates, the contracting poweis stipulate between themselves that for the future these principles shall also be applicable to theDunune, and to its1 embouchures. They declare that this disposition '.con-stitutes-henceforth a pjin of the public law of burope, and they take it (the disposition) under then- guarantee.-' '■■ „ . The navigation of the Danube cannot" be subjected to'any .hindrance (entruvc) or dues (redevonees) which shall not b<? expressly provided for by the stipulations contained in the following articles. In consequence, no' toll (peage) shall be taken that shall be based solely upon the fact of the navigation of the river, o r

any duty (droit) iipou merchandise wliicli niav be on board vessels. The police and quaralr. tine regulations, t<. be established for the seuuritv of the States separated or traversed by this river shall be conceived in such manner as to favour the circulation ol vessels as much, as possible (aidant que f'aire se jnnirm). Save under "these regulations no obstacle whatever shall be placed in the way of the free navigation. Article "16.—With the view of realizing ih e dispositions of the preceding article, a Cummission, in . which France, Austria, Great Britain, Prussia, Sardinia, and Turkey shall each be represented by a delegate, shall be charged to design, and cause to be executed the necessary works from Isatcha downwards (ctlepius Isatcha) in order to clear the mouths of the Danube, as well as the neighbouring parts of the sea, from the sand and other obstacles which obstruct them, so as to put th.it part of the River and the said paifc of the sea in tJ ie best possible state of navigability. To cover the expenses of these works, as' well as of tbe establishments having for their object to assure and facilitate the navigation o f the mouths of the Danube, fixed duties at a 'proper (convcnable) rate, to be settled by the Comrnis sion by a majority of votes, may" be levied, on the express condition that in this respect, as in all others, thefl.igs of all nations shall be treated on a footing of a perfect equality. Article 17—A'commission shall be appointed, composed of delegates of Austria, Bavaria, the Sublime Porte, and Wuviemberg one (or each of these powers); to which commission the Commissioners of the three Danubiau principalities, whose nomination shall have been approved of by the Porte, shall be joined. This commission, which shiill he permanent, will first draw up the regulations of navigation, and of fluvial police. Secondly, remove the obstacles (entraws), of whatever nature they may be, which as \et pievent the application of the dispositions of ihe treaty of Vienna to the Danube. 'Thirdly, give orders for, and cause to be executed the' necessary works throughout the whole comse of the River (sur tons les paicours (lit jleiive); and fourthly, after the dissolution of the European Commission, see to the maintenance of th navigability of '.lie Danube and the neighbour ing parts of the sea.

I Article 18.—It is understood that tlie European Commission will have fulfilled its task, and 'that .the bordering (Riveraine) Commission will have terminated', the '.works', designated in the pveceeding article, under' Nos. i and 2, within the space of two years. 'J'}ie Power?, parties to the treaty,assemhltd iiiCon/'erenceaiulinfonned of the fact, will after making- note of them (apres en avoir pris actej, pronounce the 'dissolution of the European Commissioner?,1' and thenceforth the permanent bordering (Riverain) Commissioner shall enjoy the same powers as those with which' the European Commission will have been invested up to that time. Article 19.— In "order to assure the execution of the regulations which shall have been settled ■by" common accord, in accordance with the principles hereinbefore enunciated, each of the contracting powers shiill have ihe right at all times to station two. light vessels at the mouth of the Danube. Article '20.—1n exchange for the towns, ports, and territories enumerated in Article 4 of the present treaty, and in order the better to secure the liberty of ihe navigation of the Danube, . his lVlajesty the Emperor of all the Russias consents u> the ..rectification of his frontier in Bessantbia. The new frontier will start from the Black Sea at one kilometer to the east of Lake Bourna-Gola, will perpendicularly rejoin the Akerman voad, follow this road- as far as the valley of Trojan, pass'to the south of Belgrade, reascending along the River Yalpuck as-far as Saratsika, and will terminate- at Kakamori, on the Pruth. Above ibis, point the oid frontier between the two empires will undergo no modification. Delegates of the contracting powers 'will settle in its details the boundary line of the new frontier. Article 21.—The territory ceded by Russia shall beau n exed to the principality of Moldavia, under the suzerainty of the Sublime Porte. The iuhalnlantsof the territory will enjoy the rights mid privileges assured to the principalities, and 'during the space'ol three years they shall be allowed to remove their domiciles'elsewhere, freely disposing of their property. Article 22.—The principalities of Wallachia, and Moldavia, will continue to enjoy under the suzerainty of ihe Porte, and under the guarantee

of the contracting powers, the privileges and immunities of which they are in possession. No exclusive protection shall be exercised over them by any oiie of the guaranteeing powers. Theie'shallhe no private (parliculier) right of interfering with their internal affairs. ' Article 23.—-The Sunlime Forte engages to preserve to the aforesaid principalities an independent and national administration as well as full liberty of worship, legislation, commerce, and navigation. • ' ; ; '• ■'■ '

The laws and statutes now in force shall be revised. To establish a complete accord on the revision, a special commission, With regard to the. composition of which the high .contracting parties will come to an understanding, will assemble without delay at Bucharest, together with a commission of the Sublime Porte. The task of this commission willbe to inquire into the actual slate, and condition of the principalil ties and toy propose the basis of their future organisation. ' ' V :

Article 24— H. M: the Sultan promises to convoke immediately in each of the two provinces a divan ad hoc, composed in such a manner as to constitute the most exact representation of , the interests of all classes of society. These divans are to give expression to the wishes of the principalities. An instruction: of the congress will regulate the relations of the commis- -: • sion with these divans. ■. :,• j< „.,.-, ; ' Article 2r>.—Taking into consideration the opinion expressed by the divans, the commission . will without delay transmit the result of/its own labours to the present seat of the Conferences. The future ■"understanding with the suzerain powers will be recorded (consacree) in a convention concluded at Paris, between the high contracting parties ; and a hatti-sheriff, conformable to the stipulations of' tlie convention, will definitely constitute';the organization .of those, provinces, placed thenceforth" under the ..collective, guarantee of. all the parties to the treaty. ■ .. : ■./, .. ' . '..,.,'..:' "■''. ' '."" j Article 26.—1t isagreed that there .shall he in.the Principalities an armed national force, organised with the object of, maintaining the security of the interior, and assuring that of the frontiers. :No impediment (entrave) is to be placed in the way :o'f;--siicli extraordinary ■■measures.,of defence; as, in accordance with the Sublime ..Porte, the Principalities : may be under, the necessity of taking (seraient. appeles a prendre) arms to repulse any foreign aggression. . ' Article 27.—1f the internal tranquillity of the principalities should be menaced or compromised, the Sublime Porte will come to an understanding with the other contracting poweib as to the measures to be taken to maintain or re-eKtablish legal order. No armed-intervention can take place without a previous accord with these- powers. " ■■ ■" ■ '■ ■ ■■■■■' Article 28.—The principality of Servi:. will ..■con till lie to be dependent upon (a relever de) the Sublhne Porte, conform..bly to the Imperial Hattis which fix and determine its rights and immunities, phiced henceforth under the collective guarantee of the contracting powers. ..•■ In consequence, the said principality will preserve its independent and national administration, as well as full liberty; of worship, legislature, commerce, and navigation- . _^ Avticle 29.—The right of garrison by the Sublime;; Porte, such is as stipulated for by anterior regulations, is maintained. No armed inteiT2ntion is to take, place in Servia, without a previous accord between all the contractiuopowers. ° Article 30.—His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russia,, nud his Majesty the Sultan, keep •in .Us. integrity the state of their possessions iii Asia, such -1-s it legally existed before the rupture, in; order to prevent any local contest, the boundary of the frontier will be verified, and, if; need bej rectified, but so that no territorial prejudice shall result to either of the two narties irom any such rectification. *■ VVith this view a mixed commission composed JL«° .Kllssian commissioners, two Ottoman commissioners, one French commissioner, and one Lnglis.h connnisioner, .hall be sent to the Zll -n-(7 7' CS limx^ immediately after the rs?™?!. 0'^ 0™'1" reiati°ns bet Wee» The hZIt '° P ? IISSIa and tl!e Sublime P"rtewithin W UnS rco. m I mis^°n. are to terminate the J»hint PaCe f °/'-eiS^ mdlUllS ' d»«»ff froth treaty. ? '*■. of thei' atllicati°ns of the: present the Alw a Cr le b3 v L77 Ti! c territories occupied .during tlie war by the troops of their Majesties the Emperors of the French, Austria, the^Qeen of

Great Britain and Ireland, -and the King of Sardinia, under the terms of the covenant, which was signed at Constantinople on the 12th March, 1854, -between France, .England, and the Sublime Porte; and .the 15th June of the ■same year, between Austria- and ;tbe; ; Sublime "■'Porte ; and the 15l1i. M,avcli, 1856,, between Sardinia and the SublimePqite, shall be .evacuated as soon us possible, (dussit'ot que faire se pourra) after the: ratification of the present treaty. '.'The time within which the'evacuation is to be effected {Ids 'delius) and the; means.'of execution will' be the subject of a-convention belween the Sublime-Porte and, the Pow.ers •whose troops occupy the territories. y ; Article 32. Until the treaties or conventions which.existed before the, war among the belligerent powers, shall have been renewed or replaced by' new acts, the commerce of importation arid exportation'shall go on, reciprocally, upon the footing of the 'rules in force before the vvaf, and their subject's shall in Jail other respects ■{en toiit autre maniere). be respectively, treated upon the footing.of the : most favoured nation. ■ •Article, 33.—Thei convention concluded this ! day, -between their Majesties the Emperor of the French, the, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland of the one 'part, and his Majesty the Emperor of all the Riissias of'the other part, relative^ to the Aland Isles, is and remains annexed "to the present'treaty, and J shall have the1 same force and value as if it had made part 'Of.it."- ■i" ■:.'■ '.).-U-':.:. .-:.;- -..' ,',.; •;;■... \-.- ■■„ .'. \ rArtiele.^34.—The present treaty ■■shall: be ratified, and the ratification shall be exchanged in Paris within the space of four weeks, or sooner, if possible., ''''■; Tn faith;of which the respective plenipotentiaries have signed it; and have hereto affixed the seal of their arras. x . ADDITION A L AND TRANSITORY ' -ARTICLE. ; The stipulations of the convention respecting the Straits, signed this day, shall nofbe'.appiu': cable to'the vessels of war employed by the belligerent.powers for;.the evacuation by sea of the territoriesioccupied by their armies, but. the said stipulations shairresume their entire'effect as.spon as the .evacuation sh.all.be terminated. Done at Paris, 30th March, 1856.; CONVENTIONS ANNEXED TO THE . ; "TREATY.' •';■"■ ; -■'■ \ .]. Conrentiqn between her. Majesty, ' the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor of the French, the Kinn; of Prussia, the Emperor of Eussia' and the King of Sardinia, on the one partj and the Sultan'on the other, respecting the Straits of the Dardanelles and of the Bosphorus. ' (Signed, at Paris, 30th March, 1856. Ratification exchanged at.Paris, 27th April, 1856.) : In- the Name of Almighty God. <■ Article I.—His Majesty the Sultan, on the one part,"declares that he is firmly resolved to maintain for the future the principle, invariably established as the ancient rule of his empire, in virtue of which it has at all times been prohibited tor the ships-pf-war of foreign powers to enter the Straits of the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus; and that, so long as the Porte is at peace, his Majesty will admit no foreign ship-of-war into the said straits. And their Majesties the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, the Emperor of Austria, and Emp.eror of the French, lhe.Emp.eror of all the Bussias. and the King of Sardinia, on the other part engage to respect this determination of the .Sultan, and to conform themselves to the principles above declared. Article 2.-—The Sultan reserves to himself, as in past times, to deliver firmans of passage for light vessels under flag of war, which shall be employed, as usual, in the service of the mission of foreign powers. ,; : Article 3.— : The same exception applies to' light vessels under, flag of war, which each of the contracting' powers is authorised to station at the mouths of the Danube, in order to secure the execution of the regulations relative to the liberty, of that river; the number of which is not to exceed two for each power." Article 4.—The present convention, annexed to the general treaty signed at Paris this day shall be ratified, and the ratification shall be exchanged in the space of fouv weeks, or sooner if possible. In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries' have' signed the same, and have affixed thereunto the seal of their arms. Done at Paris, 30th day of the month of March, in the year 1856.

2.—Convention between the Emperor of Russia and tlie Sultan, limiting- their navul force in the Black .-Sea. --(Sigied at Paris, March 30th. Ratifications -exchanged at Paris, 27th April, 3856. In the Name of Almighty God. Article I.—The' high contracting parties mutually engage not to hare in the Black Sea any other vessels of war than those of which the. number,'.the. force, and the dimensions are hereinafter'stipulated. ■ : .Article 2.—The high contracting parties reserve'to themselves, each to maintain in that sea.six steam vessels of 50 meters in length, at the'line of-flotation, of a tonnage of 800 tons at the maximum, and four light steam or sailing vessels, of; a tonnage which shall not exceed 200 tons each. ' . „ Article 3.—^-The present convention, annexed to the general treaty signed at Paris: this day, shall be ratified, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in the space of four weeks, or sooner if possible. Ip witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and have affixed thereunto the seal of their arm?. D.>ne at Paris, the 13:h day of the month of March, iii the year 1856. 3.—Convention between her Majesty, the . Emperor of the French, and the Emperor of Russia, respecting the Aland Isles. (Signed at Paris 30th March,']Bs6. ' Ratifications exchanged at Paiis, -27th April, 1856.) In the Fame of Almighty God. Article I—His Majesty the Emperor of all theßussias, in order toI'respond to the desire which has been expressed to him by their Majesties the Qu<?en "of Great Britain and the Emperor of the French, declares that the Aland Islands shall not be fortified, and that no mili tary or naval establishment shall be maintained or created there. Article 2.—The'present convention, annexed to the general treaty signed' at Paris this day, shall be ratified, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in the space of four weeks, or sooner if possible^ Iv witness whereof the Plenipotentiaries of the high contracting parties have signed the same, and have affixed thereto the seal of their arms. Done at Paris, 30th March, 1856. MARITIME LAW. Declaration respecting maritime law, signed by the Plenipotentiaries of Great Brhain, Austria, France, Prussia, Russia, Sardinia' and Turkey, assembled in Congress at Paris/April 16th. 1856. .",' .fV [translation:] The Plenipotentiaries who signed the Treaty of Paris on the 30ih March, 1856, assembled fa Conference, Considering— That maritime law in'time of war has long been the subject, of deplorable disputes. That the uncertainty of the law and of the duties in such a matter gives rise to differences of opinion between neutrals and belligerents which may occasion serious difficulties, and even conflicts. That it is consequently advantageous to establish a uniform : doctrine on so serious a point. That the Plenipotentiaries, assembled in Congress at Paris, cannot better respond to the intentions by which their Governments are animated, than by seeking to introduce into international relations fixed principles in this • respect. The above Plenipotentiaries, being duly authorised, resolved to concert amongthemselves as to the means of attaining this object, and, having come to an agreement, have adopted the following solemn declaration. , Ist.—-Privateerin<v is and remains abolished. 2. The neutral flag covers enemy's goods, with the exception of contraband of war. 3. Neutral goods, with the exception of contraband of waiy are not liable to capture under an enemy's flag. 4."; Blockades in order to be binding must be effective, that is to say, maintained by a force sufficient to prevent access to the coast of the enemy. The Governments of-the undersigned Plenipotentiaries engage to bring this present declaration to the knowledge of the States which have not taken part in the Congress of Paris, and to invite them to accede to it. Convinced that the maxims which they now proclaim cannot but be received with gratitude

by the whole world, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries doubt not that the efforts of their Governments to obtain the general adoption thereof will be crowned with full success. The present declaration is not and shall not be binding, except between those powers who have acceded, or who shall accede to it. Done at Paris, 16th April, 1856.

A .supplement extraordinary-to the London Gazette contains three proclamations—• The first announces the Treaty of Peace being concluded with Russia. The second appoints Sunday, 11th May, as a day of thanksgiving for the restoration of peace. The third notifies the same to the people of Scotland.