fifth, they are to make at least 6 voyages. When circumstances shall prevent their making this number of voyages, either on account of the great distance, obstructions in the river, the necessary experiments for its navigation, want of fuel, or other admissible reasons, the owners of the steamers are only to receive 5,000 dollars for each voyage which they make in the first 2 years, and 3,000 dollars for each voyage during the third, fourth, and fifth

years.

2nd. They are to convey the mails of the Government and of the Post Office gratuitously, and are to deliver them at those places on the banks of the river which they pass by in the course of their

voyages.

3rd. They are also to convey, gratis, in each voyage as many as 4 persons in the civil, military, or ecclesiastical service of each Government, with their luggage, not exceeding the allowance to other passengers, and such goods as the respective Governments may wish to have conveyed, not exceeding 2 tons.

4th. They will be bound to convey in the steamers, or to tow in other vessels, troops, ammunition, prisoners, and the goods which the 2 Governments may desire to send, for which they are to receive a reasonable remuneration, to be fixed after experience shall have shown the amount of the expenses necessary for the performance of this service.

5th. The Company is to agree with both Governments with regard to the respective points on the River Amazons or Maranhão to which the steamers are to be navigated, and at which ports they are to call, and they are to be subject to the fiscal and police regulations, notwithstanding the exemption that they will enjoy from all kinds of imposts.

II. The property of one quarter of a league square will be granted to the Company respectively in those places requisite for the deposit of fuel if the land does not belong to private persons; but that property may be forfeited if the Company does not fulfil the conditions above named during the term of 5 years. The Company may cut wood for fuel on waste lands, and may open coal mines, and make use of their produce.

III. The duly authorized agents of the Imperial Government, in concert with those of the Government of Peru, will contract with the Company upon the terms mentioned in these Articles.

The contractors are to agree with the said agents respecting the mode and place where they are to receive the requisite payments. Both Governments will see to the proper observance of the conditions agreed upon, in their respective territories.

IV. The present separate Articles shall have the same force and

validity as if they had been inserted word for word in the Conven tion signed this day.

In faith whereof, we, the Plenipotentiaries of His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, and of the Republic of Peru, do sign the presen: separate Articles, at Lima, on the 23rd day of October, 1851. (L.S.) DUARTE DA PONTE RIBEIRO.

(L.S.) BARTOLOME HERRERA.

LAW of Sardinia, abolishing Differential Duties.-Turin, July 6, 1850.

(Translation.)

VICTOR EMANUEL II, &c.

The Senate and Chamber of Deputies have adopted:

We have ordained and ordain as follows.

ART. I. All differential duties, whether customs dues, or naviga tion duties, under whatever title or denomination they may have been levied, whether for the benefit of the Government, or of municipalities, or of corporations, or of any individuals whatever, are abolished in favour of those nations which shall grant similar advan tages to our flag.

II. There is moreover conceded to the Government the power of agreeing to the abolition of the above-mentioned duties, with respect to those nations which, without offering reciprocity, shall grant equivalent advantages tending to favour our flag.

III. By the present law no modifications are introduced with respect to the coasting trade of the state.

The Ministers, the Secretaries of State for Finance, Agriculture, and Commerce, are charged, each as far as he is concerned, with the execution of the present law, which is to be registered at the Comp troller-General's Office, published, and inserted in the collection of the Acts of the Government.

Turin, July 6, 1850.

SICCARDI.

NIGRA.

VICTOR EMANUEL.

COLLA.

P. DI SANTA ROSA.

DECREE of the Provisional Director of the Argentine Confederation, relative to the Free Navigation of the Rivers Paraná and Uruguay.-Paraná, October 3, 1852. (Translation.)

THE PROVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE CONFEDERATION, CONSIDERING, that the Decree issued on the 28th August last regulating the national Custom-Houses, has not been carried into execution, and that it cannot be so at present, on account of the position assumed by the Province of Buenos Ayres;

That it is of the greatest urgency to provide what may be thought expedient to prevent commerce and the national revenue from being prejudiced, more especially in the Littoral Provinces of Entre Rios, Santa Fé, and Corrientes;

And, lastly, that the regulation of the national Custom-Houses and of the navigation of the interior Rivers of the Confederation is within the attributes which were conferred upon the Director by the Convention of San Nicolas de los Arroyos, since the general expenses of the nation are to be paid from the proceeds thereof: Hereby resolves and decrees:

ART. I. The navigation of the Rivers Paraná and Uruguay is permitted to all merchant-vessels, whatever may be their nationality, their tonnage, or the place from whence they come.

II. Every merchant-vessel may enter the qualified ports in the Rivers Paraná and Uruguay.

III. The following are the ports which have been qualified:

1. In the Province of Entre Rios: Paraná the capital of the Province, Diamante, Victoria, Gualeguay, and La Paz, in the River Paraná; and the ports of Gualeguaichu, Concepcion del Uruguay, Concordia, and Federacion, in the River Uruguay.

2. In the Province of Santa-Fé: the capital of the Province and Rosario.

3. In the Province of Corrientes: the capital, Bella Vista and Goya. IV. All the Custom-Houses of the above-mentioned ports are external Custom-Houses; as well as those inland established in the Provinces of Jujuy, Salta, San Juan, and Mendoza.

V. Until a suitable national tariff shall be drawn up, the external Custom-Houses in the rivers shall collect duties according to their respective tariffs now in force.

VI. Seven per cent. upon the value of the goods introduced into the littoral provinces for their consumption, shall be levied and retained as the only national duty.

VII. At the external Custom-Houses on land there shall be levied, as a national duty, 5 per cent. upon the value of all goods introduced.

VIII. The external Custom-Houses, both in the rivers and on land, will permit the transit of foreign merchandise destined for the Provinces of the Confederation; but the Custom-House passing them will levy and retain 5 per cent. upon the valuation of the goods as the whole national duty.

IX. All goods and merchandize, of foreign production, or coming from foreign countries, and all products of Buenos Ayrean industry or manufacture which may be imported by land into any of the interior Provinces, shall pay, for the present, the same duties as are levied at the Custom-House of Rosario.

X. Exportation duties on goods directed from the interior Provinces to that of Buenos Ayres shall likewise be paid at the same Custom-House.

XI. Deposit of goods shall continue to be permitted under the existing regulations in all those Custom-Houses wherein it is now permitted.

XII. Within the territory of the 13 Confederate Provinces the transmission of goods of their own produce and manufacture is free from the duties on transit and consumption.

XIII. The present Decree shall only remain in force until the National Congress shall pass a permament law upon the subjects herein comprised.

XIV. Let this be communicated to those whom it may concern, and let it be published.

LUIS J. DE LA PENA.

Paraná, October 3, 1852.

(L.S.) URQUIZA.

LAW of the Province of Buenos Ayres, relative to the Free Navigation of the River Paraná.-Buenos Ayres, October 18, 1852.

(Translation.)

THE Honourable Chamber of Representatives of the Province of Buenos Ayres, in virtue of the ordinary and extraordinary sovereignty vested in it, has sanctioned with the effect and force of law, the following:

ART. I. The Province of Buenos Ayres recognizes the opening of the River Paraná to the commerce and mercantile navigation of all nations as a principle of general convenience, and on its part declares and grants the same benceforth.

II. The Executive Power is hereby authorized to draw up the necessary regulations, which are to be submitted to the Honourable Chamber.

III. When the regulations, referred to in Article II, shall have

been approved, they are to be submitted by the Executive Power to the Littoral Provinces for adoption, so far as they are concerned, although they are to come into force immediately, so far as the Province of Buenos Ayres is concerned.

IV. Let this be communicated to the Executive Power.

Buenos Ayres, October 18, 1852.

JUAN PICO, Secretary.

(L.S.) MARCELO GAMBOA.

DECREE of the Government of Monte Video, relative to the Navigation of the Confluents of the River Plate.-Monte Video, May 24, 1851.

(Translation.)

May 24, 1851.

THE Government being desirous of manifesting in a practicamanner the liberality of its principles with respect to the encouragel ment of the navigation of the confluents of the River Plate, and in conformity with the spirit of the Custom-House regulations of 1837 on the subject of transit duties,

Resolves and decrees:

ART. I. The coasting vessels bearing the flags of the provinces that border on the Uruguay, Paraná, and Paraguay shall be considered in the port of Monte Video on the same footing with regard to their privileges as national coasting vessels.

II. This resolution shall be observed at present, but without limitation, and without prejudice to demand, at the proper time, for suitable reciprocity.

III. Let this be communicated, published, &c.

Monte Video, May 24, 1851.

(L.S.) SUAREZ.

(L.S.) LORENZO BATLLE.

DECREE of the Emperor of Brazil, regulating the Privileges and Immunities of Foreign Consular Agents within the Brazilian Empire.-Rio de Janeiro, November 8, 1851. (Translation.)

*

Ir is my pleasure, by virtue of Article CII, § XII of the Constitution, and of Article XLVI of the Law of the 28th October, 1848, and having consulted the respective section of the Council of State, to order the execution of the regulation herewith issued, which defines the exemptions and attributes of the Consular Agents in the empire, and the manner in which they are to proceed in the collection and administration of the inheritances of subjects of * Vol. XIII. Page 948.