MESSAGE from Her Britannic Majesty to both Houses of Parliament on the Outbreak of War with Russia.-March 27, 1854. VICTORIA REGINA, Lords HER Majesty thinks it proper to acquaint the House of Commons that the negotiations in which Her Majesty, in concert with her Allies, has for some time past been engaged, with His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias, have terminated, and that Her Majesty feels bound to afford active assistance to her ally the Sultan against unprovoked aggression. Lords Her Majesty has given directions for laying before the House of Commons copies of such papers, in addition to those already communicated to Parliament, as will afford the fullest information with regard to the subject of these negotiations. It is a consolation to Her Majesty to reflect that no endeavours have been wanting on her part to preserve to her subjects the blessings of peace. the House of Lords, Her Majesty's just expectations have been disappointed, and Her Majesty relies with confidence on the zeal and devotion of Her faithful Commons, and on the exertions of her brave and loyal subjects, to support her in her determination to employ the power and resources of the nation for protecting the dominions of the Sultan against the encroachments of Russia. V. R. DECREE of the Queen of Spain, prohibiting the Outfit of MADAM, Ministry of Marine, Madrid, April 12, 1854. THE war which has unfortunately broken out in the East, might do harm to our navigation and commerce, the prosperity of which so warmly interests your Majesty. Fortunately Great Britain and France, well worthy of the advanced post which they occupy amongst civilized nations, have strenuously endeavoured to diminish the evils which the present struggle must cause to the world, by renouncing for the present the issuing of letters of marque, and by making conjointly other declarations which are highly favourable to neutral Powers. It behoves the commercial interests of Spain to take advantage of a course of policy so highly humane, and to satisfy at the same time your Majesty's feelings towards the nations which are the friends and allies of Spain. Therefore, the undersigned Minister, in conformity with the opinion of the Council of Ministers, has the honour to propose to your Majesty the subjoined project of Decree. Madam, at the Royal feet of your Majesty, EL MARQUES DE MOLINS. ROYAL DECREE. (Translation.) Madrid, April 12, 1854. Taking into consideration all that which has been proposed to me by my Minister of Marine, in conformity with the opinion of the Council of Ministers, I have determined to decree as follows: ART. 1. It is hereby prohibited in all ports of the monarchy to fit out, provision, or admit any privateer whatsoever under the Russian flag. II. It is hereby likewise prohibited to owners, captains, or masters of Spanish merchant vessels to accept letters of marque from any Power whatsoever, or to render assistance to privateers, excepting when humanity should require it in cases of fire or shipwreck. III. The conveyance of all merchandize is guaranteed by the Spanish flag, with the exception of war stores and despatches or written communications, and excepting also the case of vessels carrying merchandize to or from ports blockaded by the belligerent parties, in which case Her Majesty's Government declares, by the present Decree, that it declines the responsibility of the damages which may be caused to the infractors. Done at the Palace, this 12th day of April, 1854. EL MARQUES DE MOLINS, Minister of Marine. MARIA REGIA. DECREE of the King-Regent of Portugal, declaring the Neutrality of Portugal in the War between Turkey, &c., and Russia, and prohibiting the Outfit of Privateers from Portuguese Dominions.-Lisbon, May 5, 1854. (Translation.) SIRE, Home Department, May 5, 1854. WAR being declared between Powers with whom we are in ancient alliance, which alliance it behoves us to keep intact, and the Crown of Portugal being bound to take all measures in order on its part to preserve the strictest neutrality during the present contest, so that one of the belligerent parties shall not be treated with more or less favour than the other, and keeping in view what has always, under similar circumstances, been practised by the Sovereigns and Governments, of these realms, your Majesty's Ministers have agreed upon submitting to your Majesty the following Decree, from the adoption of which will follow, on the part of the Portuguese Government, the observance of the rules of the law of nations, which neutral Powers are bound to keep and uphold. RODRIGO DA FONSECA MAGALHAES. VISCONDE DE ATHOGUIA. DUQUE DE SALDANHA. FREDERICO GUILHERME DA SILVA FEREIRA. ANTONIO MARIA DE FONTES PEREIRA DE MELLO. Taking into consideration the Report of the Ministers and Secretaries of State of all the several departments, I am pleased to decree, in the name of the King, as follows: ART. I. The relations of peace, of good friendship, and cordial understanding which subsist between Portugal and all the Governments of Europe ought, on our part, to be preserved intact, and to continue to be religiously observed, by preserving the most strict and absolute neutrality with regard to the Powers which are at present in a state of war. II. In the ports of this kingdom, and in its possessions in any part of the world, it is prohibited to Portuguese subjects, and to foreigners residing in Portugal, to construct or arm vessels to be employed as privateers during the present war; and letters of marque will be denied to either of the above-mentioned parties. III. The entrance of privateers, and of prizes made by them, or by any vessels of war of the belligerent Powers, into the ports mentioned in the preceding Article, is also prohibited. §. An exception shall be made to this rule in cases of distress in which, according to the law of nations, it is indispensable to show hospitality, the sale or unloading of prizes thus arriving at the ports of these realms being, however, in no way permitted, neither may such vessels entering there remain any longer time than is necessary for receiving the succour of humanity which, in accordance with the said law of nations and with the provisions of the Decrees of the 30th of August, 1780, and the 3rd of June, 1803, are due to them. The Ministers and Secretaries of State of the several departments shall thus understand, and cause the same to be carried out. DUQUE DE SALDANHA. RODRIGO DA FONSECA MAGALHAES. VISCONDE DE ATHOGUIA. FREDERICO GUILHERME DA SILVA PEREIRA. KING REGENT. ANTONIO MARIA DE FONTES PEREIRA DE MELLO. BRITISH NOTIFICATION of the Withdrawal of Exequaturs from Russian Consular Officers in British Dominions.London, May 6, 1854. Foreign Office, May 6, 1854. NOTICE is hereby given, that the "Exequaturs" heretofore granted by Her Majesty to the former Consul-General and Consuls of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, in various ports and places throughout Her Majesty's dominions, have been withdrawn; and that no person is recognized or permitted to act within Her Majesty's dominious as Consul-General, Consul, or ViceConsul, or to perform any other duties as, or to act in any respect as, a Consul, Vice-Consul, Consular Officer or agent, on behalf of His Imperial Majesty. CIRCULAR from the British Chargé d'Affaires and ConsulGeneral to the Hanse Towns, as to any British Subject contributing to the Foreign Loan which the Russian Government proposes to Contract.* SIR, Hamburgh, June 30, 1854. HER Majesty's Government having taken the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as regards the nature of the crime, and the degree of penalty which any subject of Her Majesty would render himself liable to in contributing to the foreign loan which the Government of Russia propose to contract, I am therefore informed by the Earl of Clarendon that a British subject contributing to a loan raised on behalf of a sovereign at war with Great Britain, will be guilty of High Treason, as adhering to the Queen's enemies. I have accordingly to instruct you to give every publicity to this fact within your Vice-consular district. British Vice-Consul at I am, &c. G. LLOYD HODGES. [1353-51.] * Laid before Parliament, July 21, 1854. I CORRESPONDENCE between Great Britain, The United States, Spain, and France, concerning alleged projects of Conquest and Annexation of the Island of Cuba.-1842-1853.* 5 No. 1.-Lord Howden to Earl Granville.-(Rec. January 16.) (Extract.) Madrid, January 9, 1852. By the anxious desire of the Spanish Government I take the liberty of calling your Lordship's attention to the wish widely entertained here, that through the friendly interest and influence of England, an abnegatory declaration on the part of France and The United States, and England of course, might be made with regard to Cuba. I have no doubt that such a declaration, obtained through the good offices of England, would be most thankfully received, and give her relative position here proportionate weight. Earl Granville. HOWDEN. No. 2.-Lord Cowley to the Earl of Malmesbury.-(Rec. March 19.) MY LORD, Paris, March 18, 1852. M. DE TURGOT spoke to me yesterday with some anxiety respecting a despatch which he had just received from Madrid, and from which it appeared that the Spanish Government had reason to believe that a fresh expedition against Cuba was preparing at New Orleans. The Earl of Malmesbury. I have, &c. COWLEY. No. 3.-Lord Cowley to the Earl of Malmesbury.—(Rec. April 1.) (Extract.) Paris, March 31, 1852. M. DE THOUVENEL, whom I saw this morning, informed me that instructions for the presentation of a note to the Government of The United States relative to the Island of Cuba, would be sent off to the French Minister at Washington to-morrow. The Earl of Malmesbury. COWLEY. No. 4.-The Sec. to the Admiralty to Mr. Addington.—(Rec. April 6.) SIR, Admiralty, April 5, 1852. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of the Earl of Malmesbury, an extract of a letter from Vice-Admiral Sir George F. Seymour, dated 19th February, relative to the state of affairs in Cuba. I am, AUG. STAFFORD. II. U. Addington, Esq. Laid before Parliament, 1853. |