The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-03 00:00:00

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RUSSIAN DECLARATION.

BOARD OF TRADE, WHITEHALL, MAY 1.
The Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of
Privy Council for Trade and Plantations have received,
through the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy
of a despatch from her Majesty's Consul at St. Petersburg,
covering the subjoined translation of a declaration issued
by the Russian Minister of Finance, which appeared in the
Supplement of the Commercial Gazette, on the 6 (18th) of
April last, containing certain regulations with regard to
trade, which have been issued in consequence of the De-
claration of War.

(Translation.) (Copy.)
Supplement to the Commercial Gazatte of the 6 (18th) of
April, 1854.
Declaration from the Ministry of Finance.
In consequence of the information received of the Decla-
ration of War against Russia by England and France, the I
Ministry of Finance considers it its duty to make univer-
sally known the measures which will be adopted by the
Imperial Government, with respect to the English and
French subjects, their mercantile vessels and property.
In conformity with the declarations of the English and
French Governments the Imperial Government has, in its
sincere desire to remove as much as possible from private 1i
individuals the ruinous consequences of war, established

the following rules.
A term of six weeks shall be allowed to English and
French merchant vessels, at present in our harbours to
load and sail, without hindrance to foreign ports. This
term will count from the 25th April, in the ports of the
Black Sea, the Sea of Azoff and the Baltic, but in the
White Sea from the day on which the navigation opens.
As an exception to this rule, for military considerations,
two English vessls, the "Ann McAlister" and the " Wil-
liam Broderick," of which the former is lying at Cronstadt
and the latter at Revel, will be detained for a certain
period ; these vessels will not, under any circum-
stances, be liable to confiscation, and will eventually be
released, as soon as circumstances render it practicable.
English and French merchant vessels which may, after
leaving our ports, be met at sea by our cruisers after the
expiration of the term appointed, will be free to continue
their voyage, if, on examination of their ship's papers, it
should appear that the cargo on board of these vessels had
beeti taken in before the expiration of six weeks.
Tho property of British and French subjects on board
neutral vessels will be regarded as inviolable by our cruis-
ers. English and French goods, even should they belong
to subjects of Great Britain or France, will be allowed
to be imported under neutral flags into our ports, in ac-
cordance with the usual Custom-house tariff regulations,
without any hindrance on our part.
Moreover the property of neutrals, found on board of the
enemy's vessels, will not be subject to confiscation. But
it is self-evident that a neutral flag will not cover such
cargoes Or articles as by international law are considered
articles of contraband; in consequence of which, the
vessels, on which such contraband may be found, will be
stopped by our cruizers, and declared lawful prizes of war,
in conformity with the Declaration, issued from the
Ministry of Finance the 27th November of the foregoing
year.
The Government of His Imperial Majesty, whilst leaving
all its mercantile harbours open to the merchant vessels of
neutral countries, can, nevertheless, not take upon itself
any responsibility for injuries and losses which these vessels
may sustain from the operations of war.
The Minister of Finance, as far back as the month of
October last year, when rumours of war became prevalent,
declared in the name of his Majesty the Emperor, to the
English merchants trading in St. Petersburg, that, even in
case of war, they need have no apprehension either for
themselves or their property, and they might depend upon
the same protection which they had hitherto enjoyed, such
protection and freedom from danger, as far as their per-
sons and property are concerned, will continue to be ex-
tended to all British and French subjects, without excep-
tion (to whatever trade or profession they may belong),
who, quietly attending to their own business, observe the
established laws of the country, and refrain from all acts
forbidden by them.
Issued with the Commercial Gazette, 7 (19th) April,
1854.