favour of those reforms, which, whilst they are consistent with the actual State relations, may combine the forces of the German people for more energetic action, and place Prussia in a position to further the interests of the common fatherland with increased efficiency.

To my great regret the constitutional conflict in electoral Hesse has not yet been brought to a termination. I will nevertheless, even in presence of the last events, hold fast by the hope that the endeavours of my Government, which have been unceasingly directed to obtain the restoration of the Constitution of 1831, with a change of those provisions contained in it which are opposed to the federal laws, may yet at last meet with success.

My Government and that of the Emperor of Austria have entered into confidential negotiations with the Government of the King of Denmark, in accordance with the wishes of the latter, in order to obtain a provisional basis for an understanding between the German Confederation and Denmark upon the question of the Duchies. In doing so we hold fast as well to the federal law as to distinct international Conventions; and it affords me a lively satisfaction that in this matter there is not only the fullest understanding between me and the Emperor of Austria, but also between us and all the rest of our German Confederates.

Gentlemen, you are called upon, in conjunction with my Government, to proceed with legislative labours which began at a great period. As those reforms were intended to open up to the patriotism of the Prussian people a larger field of activity, and thereby to prepare for its rise and progress, so I expect from the present continuation of that legislation to reap similar results.

The development of our institutions must remain subservient to the strength and the greatness of our fatherland, and I can never allow that the continued development of our internal political life should call in question or endanger the prerogative of the Crown or the strength and security of Prussia.

The position of Europe demands unanimous co-operation between me and my people, and I reckon upon the patriotic support of their representatives.

DECREE of the President of the Argentine Confederation, respecting the Estates of Intestate Foreigners.-Buenos Ayres, November 19, 1862.

(Translation.)

INASMUCH as it is stipulated in the following Treaties with the Republic:

Art. XIII of the Treaty with Great Britain of the 2nd of February, 1825:*

The subjects of Her Britannic Majesty, residing in the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata, shall have the right of disposing freely of their property of every description in what form they may please, or by testament, as they may judge fit; and in the event of any British subject dying without having made such last will or testament in the territories of the said United Provinces, the British Consul-General, or, in his absence, his representative, shall have the right to nominate curators to take charge of the property of the deceased, for the benefit of his lawful heirs and creditors, without any interference, giving proper notice thereof to the authorities of the country and reciprocally.

Art. XIV of the Treaty with Portugal of the 9th of August, 1852:† If any Argentine citizen should die intestate in the territory of Portugal, or any subject of Her Faithful Majesty the Queen of Portugal in the Argentine territory, without having heirs by right present in the country according to their respective laws, the Consuls of both Contracting Parties residing in either country, or their representative in case of absence, shall have the right of nominating curators for the purpose of administering the property of the deceased for the benefit of his lawful heirs or of his creditors.

The nomination of curators made by the Consuls must be communicated to the respective Governments for the information of the judicial authorities, and the inventories made by these latter of the property of the deceased shall be made in presence of the curators, if distance permits and delay would not be prejudicial to the goods themselves, and be handed over to them by the administrative authorities. The settlement of the testamentary dispositions is subject to the laws of the respective countries, as also the payment of the fiscal dues to be made by the heirs.

Art. XIX of the Treaty with The United States of July 27, 1853:

If any citizen of either of the Contracting Parties should die intestate in any of the territories of the other, the Consul-General, or Consul of the nation of the deceased, or their representatives in their absence, shall have the right of taking part in the possession, administration, and judicial liquidation of the effects of the deceased, in conformity with the laws of the country, for the benefit of his creditors and legitimate heirs.

Art. XXVI of the Treaty with Chile of the 31st of January, 1856:

In the case of a citizen of the Consul's country dying without executor or heir in the territory of the Republic, the Consul * Vol, XII. Page 29. † Vol. L. Page 1278.

Vol. XLII. Page 720.

shall represent him in all measures taken for the security of the property in conformity with the laws of the Republic in which he resides. He may add his seals to those affixed by the local authority, and must attend on the day and at the hour fixed for removing them. The absence of the Consul at the time agreed upon, after proper delay, shall not suspend the legal proceedings of the local authority.

In the case of one of his countrymen dying intestate, the Consul may assist in the formation of the inventories, the valuation of the property, the nomination of persons with whom it is to be deposited, and other similar proceedings concerning the security, administration, and liquidation of the property. The Consul shall be de jure the representative of any of his countrymen who may be interested in the succession, and who is absent without having appointed a legal agent as such representative, he shall have the same rights as the heir himself, except that of receiving the money and effects of the succession, for which a special power of attorney will always be required. Such moneys and effects shall, in the absence of a power of attorney, be deposited in a public chest, or in the hands of a person approved of by the local authority and by the Consul. The court, at the request of the Consul, may order the sale of such movable property of the succession as may be exposed to decay, and the deposit of the proceeds in a public chest; but this cannot be done as regards other effects until 4 years have elapsed since the decease of the individual without any heir having presented himself.

Art. X of the Treaty with Sardinia of September 21, 1855:*

If any citizen of either of the Contracting Parties should die intestate in any of the territories of the other, the Consul-General, Consul, or Consular Agents of the nation of the deceased, or their representatives in their absence, shall have the right of taking part in the possession, administration, and liquidation of the effects of the deceased, in conformity with the laws of the country, for the benefit of the creditors and legal heirs.

Art. XVI of the Treaty with Paraguay of the 29th of July, 1856:†

In the case of any Argentine citizen dying intestate in the territory of Paraguay or vice versa, the Consul-General, Consul, or Vice. Consul of his nation, shall assist in the inventory, deposit, sealing up, and disposal of the effects of the deceased, in concert with the executor or curator named by the Government, until the distribution of the property amongst the legitimate heirs or amongst the creditors.

Art. IX of the Treaty with the States of the German Zollverein of September 19, 1857:

* Page 939. + Vol. XLVI. Page 1305.

Vol. XLVH. Page 1277.

If any citizen or subject of either of the two Contracting Parties should die without will or testament in any of the territories of the other, the Consul-General or Consul of the nation of the deceased, or their representatives in their absence, shall have the right of taking part in the possession, administration, and judicial liquidation of the property of the deceased, in conformity with the laws of the country, for the benefit of the creditors and legitimate heirs.

of

In the case of any question respecting the inheritance, or any the goods composing it, or any debt due to or owed by the succession, which cannot be settled by arbitration, it shall be submitted to the tribunals of the country.

It being likewise stipulated in these and other Treaties with other nations that all the Governments and their subjects shall be considered as the most favoured nation.

It being the rule of the Argentine Government to consider all foreigners as in the enjoyment of perfect equality of rights.

And it being of great importance to give uniformity to the intervention of foreign Consuls in the testamentary arrangements of the intestate successions of the subjects of their nation.

The President of the Republic has determined and decrees:

ART. I. In the case of any foreigner dying intestate without leaving legitimate descendants or wife publicly recognized as such, residing in the country; or if he leaves a will, but his heirs are foreigners and absent, and in the absence also of the executor appointed by the will, the Consul of his nation may intervene in the administration.

II. The intervention of the Consul shall not take place when any Argentine, publicly recognized as such, is the heir in the ascending or descending line.

III. This intervention shall be limited :

1°. To sealing up the goods, furniture, and papers of the deceased, giving previous notice to one of the judges of first instance in civil causes, if the death has occurred in the place of residence of the Consul.

2o. To naming administrators.

IV. The Consuls shall communicate the nomination of the administrators directly to the judge of first instance.

V. The judges of first instance will place the seal of their court upon the effects and papers of the deceased.

VI. The judge shall not remove the double seals to make the inventory, without previously summoning the administrators.

VII. Should there be no Consul at the place where the intestate individual dies, the inventory shall be made in conformity with existing laws, in the presence of two witnesses of the same nation as the deceased, or of some other nationality, should there be any

such; notice to be given by the authority who makes the inventory to the nearest Consul.

VIII. The administrators shall perform their duty subject to the laws of the country.

IX. If there should be legitimate collateral heirs in the country, they may request the judge of the cause to name an administrator, the administrators nominated by the Consuls being thus reduced to the character of representatives of the absent heirs who have not named special agents.

X. If there are no heirs whatever in the country, any claims for debts or claims concerning the succession, shall be decided by the judge of the cause with the assistance of the administrators.

XI. Nothing can be handed over to the absent heirs until a year after the death of the intestate individual has elapsed, and all debts contracted within the territory of the State are paid.

XII. If there are no heirs ab intestato, according to the laws of the country of the deceased, the administrators shall deliver up the property to the State.

XIII. The rights recognized by this Decree shall extend only to natious which concede equal rights to Argentine Consuls and citizens.

XIV. Nations which claim the execution of something not included in this law, but which is included in a Treaty, shall obtain only what is exactly stipulated for in the Treaty invoked.

XV. Let this Decree be communicated in due time to the Congress of the nation for the requisite purposes, let it be notified, published, and given to the National Registry. RUFINO DE ELIZALDE.

MITRE.

CORRESPONDENCE between Great Britain, Austria, France, Italy, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, Spain, and Sweden, respecting the Affairs of Poland.-1862, 1863.*

No. 2.-Baron Brunnow to Sir G. Grey.

MY DEAR SIR GEORGE,

Chesham House, July 31, 1862. PERMIT me to apply to your constant kindness towards me under a circumstance of peculiar importance, which I shall explain in a few words.

The Grand Duke Constantine, during his former stay in this country, has been particularly impressed with the beneficial influence which your police regulations exercise for the maintenance of good order, legality, and public security.

His Imperial Highness is desirous of establishing a similar institution in the Kingdom of Poland, whose welfare is entrusted *Laid before Parliament, 1863, 1864.