A.—No. 1a

12

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OE STATE

coal only as may be sufficient to carry such vessel to the nearest port of her own country, or to some nearer destination ; and no coal shall again be supplied to any such ship of war in the same or any other port, roadstead, or waters subject to the territorial jurisdiction of Her Majesty, without special permission, until after the expiration of three months from the time when such coal may have been last supplied to her within British waters as aforesaid. 4. Armed ships of either party are interdicted from carrying prizes made by them into the ports, harbours, roadsteads, or waters of the United Kingdom, or any of Her Majesty's colonies or possessions abroad. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Gbanville.

No. 9. Copt of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (Circular.) Downing Street, 21st July, 1870. I transmit to you the Queen's Proclamation for the maintenance of neutrality, which, with the advice of Her Privy Council, Her Majesty has issued, in consequence of the existing state of war hetween Erance and Prussia. I have to desire that you will immediately give the utmost publicity to the said Proclamation. I have, &c. The Officer Administering the Government KIMBEB.LEY. of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 9. A Peoclamation. Victoria R. Wiiereas We are happily at Peace with all Sovereigns, Powers and States : And whereas, notwithstanding our utmost exertions to preserve peace between all Sovereign Powers and States, a state of war unhappily exists between His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French and His Majesty the King of Prussia, and between their respective subjects and others inhabiting within their countries, territories, or dominions: And whereas We are on terms of friendship and amicable intercourse with each of these Sovereigns, and with their several subjects and others inhabiting within their countries, territories; or dominions: And whereas great numbers of our loyal subjects reside and carry on commerce, and possess property and establishments, and enjoy various rights and privileges, within the dominions of each of the aforesaid Sovereigns, protected by the faith of treaties between us and each of the aforesaid Sovereigns : And whereas We, being desirous of preserving to our subjects the blessings of peace, which they now happily enjoy, are firmly purposed and determined to abstain altogether from taking any part, •directly or indirectly, in the war now unhappily existing between the sa;d Sovereigns, their subjects and territories, and to remain at peace with and to maintain a peaceful and friendly intercourse with each of them, and their respective subjects and others inhabiting within any of their respective countries, territories, and dominions, and to maintain a strict and impartial neutrality in the said state of war unhappily existing between them : We therefore have thought fit, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, to issue this our Eoyal Proclamation: And We do hereby strictly charge and command all our loving subjects to govern themselves accordingly, and to observe a strict neutrality in and during the aforesaid war, and to abstain from violating or contravening either the laws and statutes of the realm in this behalf, or the law of nations in relation thereto, as they will answer to the contrary at their peril. And whereas in and by a certain Statute made and passed in the fifty-ninth year of His Majesty King George the Third, intituled " An Act to prevent the Enlisting or Engagement of His Majesty's " Subjects to serve in a Foreign Service, and the fitting out or equipping, in His Majesty's Dominions, " Vessels for Warlike Purposes, without His Majesty's License," it is amongst other things declared and enacted as follows : — " That if any person within any part of the United Kingdom, or in any part of His Majesty's " dominions beyond the seas, shall, without the leave and license of His Majesty for that purpose first " had and obtained as aforesaid, equip, furnish, fit out, or arm, or attempt or endeavour to equip, furnish, " fit out, or arm, or procure to be equipped, furnished, fitted out, or armed, or shall knowingly aid, assist, " or be concerned in the equipping, furnishing, fitting out, or arming, of any ship or vessel with intent or " in order that such ship or vessel shall be employed in the service of any foreign prince, state, or " potentate, or of any foreign colony, province, or part of any province or people, or of any person or ■" persons exercising or assuming to exercise any powers of Government in or over any foreign state, " colony, province, or part of any province or people, as a transport or store ship, or with intent to cruise " or commit hostilities against any prince, state, or potentate, or against the subjects or citizens of any " prince, state, or potentate, or against the persons exercising or assuming to exercise the powers of " Government in any colony, province, or part of any province or country, or againstthe inhabitants of ■" any foreign colony, province, or part of any province or country, with whom His Majesty shall not then