course of policy which, if unchecked, must lead to the of the Ottoman Empire. 1 In this conjuncture, Her Majesty feels called upon an Ally, the integrity and independence of whose empi recognized as essential to the peace of Europe, by the s her people with right against wrong, by a desire to av dominions most injurious consequences, and to save the preponderance of a power which has violated Treaties, and defies the opinion of the civilized world, arms, in conjunction with the Emperor of the French, for of the Sultan. Her Majesty is persuaded that in so acting she w cordial support of her people; and that the pretext of Christian religion will be used in vain to cover an aggre taken in disregard of its Holy precepts and of its pure an spirit. Her Majesty humbly trusts that her efforts may b and that, by the blessing of Providence, peace may be r on safe and solid foundations. Westminster, March 28, 1854. IV. BRITISH DECLARATION, with reference to Neutrals of Marque.-March 28, 1854. HER Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of G and Ireland, having been compelled to take up arms i an Ally, is desirous of rendering the war as little onerou to the Powers with whom she remains at peace. To preserve the commerce of neutrals from all obstruction, Her Majesty is willing, for the present, to of the belligerent rights appertaining to her by the law It is impossible for Her Majesty to forego the ex right of seizing articles contraband of war, and of preven from bearing the enemy's despatches, and she must right of a belligerent to prevent neutrals from breaking blockade which may be established with an adequate f the enemy's forts, harbours, or coasts. But Her Majesty will waive the right of seizing perty laden on board a neutral vessel, unless it be of war. It is not Her Majesty's intention to claim the co neutral property, not being contraband of war, fou enemy's ships; and Her Majesty further declares, that b to lessen as much as possible the evils of war, and t operations to the regularly organized forces of the coun her present intention to issue letters of marque for the commissioning of privateers. Westminster, March 28, 1854. V.-BRITISH ORDER IN COUNCIL, granting General Reprisals against Russia.-March 29, 1854. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 29th day of March, 1854. PRESENT, THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY IN COUNCIL. HER Majesty having determined to afford active assistance to her Ally, His Highness the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, for the protection of his dominions against the encroachments and unprovoked aggression of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias, Her Majesty therefore is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that general reprisals be granted against the ships, vessels and goods of the Emperor of All the Russias, and of his subjects or others inhabiting within any of his countries, territories or dominions, so that Her Majesty's fleets and ships shall and may lawfully seize all ships vessels, and goods belonging to the Emperor of All the Russias, or his subjects, or others inhabiting within any of his countries, territories or dominions, and bring the same to judgment in such Courts of Admiralty within Her Majesty's dominions, possessions, or colonies as shall be duly commissioned to take cognizance thereof. And to that end Her Majesty's Advocate-General, with the Advocate of Her Majesty in Her Office of Admiralty, are forthwith to prepare the draft of a commission, and present the same to Her Majesty at this Board, authorizing the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral to will and require the High Court of Admiralty of England, and the Lieutenant and Judge of the said Court, his Surrogate or Surrogates, as also the several Courts of Admiralty within Her Majesty's dominions which shall be duly commissionated, to take cognizance of, and judicially proceed upon, all and all manner of captures, seizures, prizes and reprisals of all ships, vessels and goods, that are or shall be taken, and to hear and determine the same; and, according to the course of Admiralty and the law of nations, to adjudge and condemn all such ships, vessels and goods, as shall belong to the Emperor of All the Russias or his subjects, or to any others inhabiting within any of his countries, territories or dominions; and they are likewise to prepare and lay before Her Majesty, at this Board, a draft of such instruc tions as may be proper to be sent to the said severa Admiralty in Her Majesty's dominions, possessions a for their guidance herein. From the Court at Buckingham Palace, this 29th da 1854. CRANWORTH, C GRANVILLE, P. ARGYLL, C. P. S NEWCASTLE. BREADALBANE. LANSDOWNE. ABERCORN. ABERDEEN. CLARENDON. DRUMLANRIG. MULGRAVE. VI. BRITISH ORDER IN COUNCIL, for preventing Ves out for Russia, and ordering a General Embargo Russian Vessels.-March 29, 1854. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 29th day of M PRESENT, THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY IN COU Ir is this day ordered by Her Majesty, by and with of her Privy Council, that no ships or vessels belongin Her Majesty's subjects be permitted to enter and clear of the ports of Russia, until further order; and Her further pleased to order, that a general embargo or stop all Russian ships and vessels whatsoever, now within or hereafter come into any of the ports, harbours, or roads of Her Majesty's dominions, together with all persons on board the said ships or vessels: Provided always, t herein contained shall extend to any ships or vessels comprised in a certain Order of Her Majesty in Council 29th day of March, for exempting from capture or detent vessels under special circumstances; and Her Majesty is pleased further to order, and it is hereby ordered, that the utmost care be taken for the preservation of all and every part of the cargoes on board any of the said ships or vessels, so that no damage or embezzlement whatever be sustained. And the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, are to give the necessary directions herein as to them may respectively appertain. C. C. GREVILLE. VII-BRITISH ORDER IN COUNCIL, for exempting from Capture or Detention Russian Vessels under Special Circumstances.—March 29, 1854. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 29th day of March, 1851. PRESENT, THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY IN COUNCIL. HER Majesty, being compelled to declare war against His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, and being desirous to lessen as much as possible the evils thereof, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that Russian merchant vessels, in any ports or places within Her Majesty's dominions, shall be allowed until the 10th day of May next, 6 weeks from the date hereof, for loading their cargoes and departing from such ports or places; and that such Russian merchant vessels, if met at sea by any of Her Majesty's ships, shall be permitted to continue their voyage, if, on examination of their papers, it shall appear that their cargoes were taken on board before the expiration of the above term; Provided, that nothing herein contained shall extend or be taken to extend to Russian vessels having on board any officer in the military or naval service of the enemy, or any article prohibited or contraband of war, or any despatch of or to the Russian Government. And it is hereby further ordered by Her Majesty, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council as aforesaid, that any Russian merchant vessel which, prior to the date of this order, shall have sailed from any foreign port bound for any port or place in Her Majesty's dominions, shall be permitted to enter such port or place and to discharge her cargo, and afterwards forthwith to depart without molestation, and that any such vessel, if met at sea by any of Her Majesty's ships, shall be permitted to continue her voyage to any port not blockaded. And the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, are to give the necessary directions herein as to them may respectively appertain. C. C. GREVILLE. VIII. BRITISH PROCLAMATION, regulating the Distribution of Captures made by Her Majesty's Fleets, &c. acting with any Allied Fleet, &c.-March 29, 1854. VICTORIA R. BY THE QUEEN.-A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS, by our Order in Council bearing date the 29th day of March, 1854, we have ordered that general reprisals be granted against the ships, goods, and subjects of the Emperor of All the Russias, his subjects or others inhabiting within any of his countries, territories, or dominions (save and except any vessels to which our licence has been or may be granted, or which have been directed to be released from the embargo, and have not since arrived at any foreign port), so that our fleets and ships shall and may lawfully seize all ships, vessels, and goods belonging to the Emperor of All the Russias, or his subjects, or others inhabiting within any of his countries, territories, or dominions, and bring the same to judgment in any of the Courts of Admiralty within our dominions duly authorized and required to take cognizance thereof, we do hereby order and direct that the net produce of all such prizes taken by any of our ships or vessels of war (save and except when they shall be acting on any conjunct expedition with our army, in which case we reserve to ourselves the division and distribution of all prize and booty taken, and also save and except as hereinafter mentioned), shall be for the entire benefit and encouragement of our Flag Officers, Captains, Commanders, and other commissioned officers in our pay, and of all subordinate, warrant, petty, and non-commissioned officers, and of the seamen, marines, and soldiers on board our said ships and vessels at the time of the capture, after the same shall have been to us finally adjudged lawful prize. Whenever any prize shall be taken by any of our fleets, squadrons, ships, or vessels of war whilst acting in conjunction with any fleets, squadrons, ships, or vessels of war belonging to any other power or powers in alliance with us, our High Court of Admiralty, or the Vice Admiralty Court within our dominions adjudicating thereon, shall apportion to such Ally or Allies a share or shares of the proceeds of such prize or prizes proportionate to the number of officers and men, &c., present and employed on the part of such Ally or Allies as compared with the number of officers and men, &c., present * Page 37. |