The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-01 00:00:00

(Th© signatures follow.)

PROTOCOL No. 12.—SITTING OF MARCH 22, 1856.
Present.--The Plenipotentiaries of Austria, France,
Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, Sardinia, and Turkey.
The Protocol of the second sitting held on the 18th of
March, 1856, is read and approved.
Count Orloff informs the Congress that the Court of
Russia has approved the draft of Convention arranged
between the Plenipotentiaries of Turkey and of Russia,
and which was annexed to the Protocol No. 10.

Count Walewski proposes to appoint a Commission
to be charged with presenting to the Congress a defini-
tive draft of preamble.
This proposition is adopted, and the CJramiseion is
composed of the second Plenipotentiaries.
(The signatures follow.)

PROTOCOL, No. 13.—SITTING OF MARCH 24, 1856.
Present.—The Plenipotentiaries of Austria, France,
Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, Sardinia, and Turkey.
The Protocol of the preceding sitting is read and ap-
proved.
The Baron de Bourqueny !reports the labours of the
Commission charged with the preparation of the definitive
draft of the preamble of the General Treaty. Tile Com-
mission, says the second Plenipotentiary of France, had
for its task to discover terms which, taking into accouut
the position of all parties, might be equally satisfactory
to each of the Powers who are co-operating in the work
of peace.
The project, unanimously accepted by the Commission
is read in these terms :
" Their Majesties, &c., animated with the desire of
putting an end to the calamities of war, and wishing to
prevent the return of the complications which occasioned
it, resolved to come to an understanding with his Ma-
jesty the Emperor of Austria as to the bases on which
peace might be re-established and consolidated, by se•
curing, through effectual and reciprocal guarantees, the
independence and integrity of the Ottoman Empire.
" For this purpose Their said Majesties named as
their Plenipotentiaries, &c., which Plenipotentiaries
•
assembled in Congress at Paris.
" An understanding having been happily established
between them, Their Majesties the Emperor of the
French, the Emperor of Austria, the Queen of the King-
dom of Great Britain, the Emperor of all the Russias,
the King of Sardinia, and the Sultan, considering that
in the interest of Europe, his Majesty the King of Prus-
sia, a signing Party to the Convention of the 13th of
Jnly, 1841, should be invited to participate in the new
arrangements to be adopted, and appreciating the value
that the concurrence of his said Majesty would add to a
work of general pacification, invited him to send Pleni-
potentiaries to the Congress.
"In consequence his Majesty the King of Prussia
named as his Plenipotiaries, &c."
The Congress adopts it.
Count Walewski observes that the Congress decided,
in one of its preceding sittings, that mention should be
made, in the General Treaty, of the hatti-sherif recently
issued by his Majesty the Sultan in favour of his non-
Mussulman subjects ; that it had been agreed, however,
that this mention should be made in such terms as at
once to establish the spontaneous action of the Ottoman
Government in this matter, and so as that there should
not, in any case, result from it any right of interference
on the part of the other Powers.
Count Walewski proposes to insert in the General
Treaty, on the fourth point, the following terms, which
seem to him to fulfil the intentions of the Congress :
"His Imperial Majesty the Sultan having, in his con-
stant solicitude for the welfare of isll his subjects, with-
out distinction of religion or of rase, issued a firman
which equally records his generous intentions towards
the Christian population of his Empire, and wishing to
give a further proof of his sentiments in that respect, has
resolved to communicate to the Contracting Parties the
said finnan, emanating spontaneously from his sovereign
will.
" It is clearly understood that this communication, of
which the Contracting Powers recognise the high value,
cannot, in any case, give to the said Powers the right to
interfere, either collectively or separately, in the relations
of his Majesty the Sultan with his subjects, nor in the
internal administration of his Empire."
The Plenipotentiaries of Austria, of Great Britain, and
of Turkey support this proposition, as fully answering
the proposed object. Aali Pasha adds that it would be
impossible for him to assent to any other terms, if they
tended to confer on the Powers a right calculated to
limit the sovereign authority of the Sublime Porte.
The Plenipotentiaries of Russia reply that this point
deserves particular attention, and that they cannot ex-
press their opinion before they have caiefully examinel
the terms proposed ; they demand that it should be re-
ferred to a Commission.
The Plenipotentiaries of France and Great Britain
combat the proposition of the Plenipotentiaries of Russia,
insisting, in their turn, upon the very importance of the
question, which requires to be considered in plcno.
It is decided that the discussion shall take place in
Congress at the next sitting.
The first Plenipotentiary of France communicates the
Articles relative to Servia, which had been drawn up by
the Commission for the Principalities.
Upon the proposition of the Earl of Clarendon, the
Congress determines that the Articles shall be inserted in
the present Protocol, and defers the examinationof them
till the next meeting.
The Articles are in the following terms :
"ARTICLE
" The Principality of Servia shall continue to hold of
the Sublime Porte, in conformity with the Imperial
Hats which fix and determine the rights and immunities
which it enjoys.
"In consequence, the said Principality shall preserve
its independent and national administration, as well as
full liberty of worship, of legislation, of commerce, and
of navigation.
" The ameliorations which it may become necessary
to introduce into the present institutions of the Princi-
pality of Servia can only be the result of a concert be-
tween the Sublime Porte and the other Contracting Par-
ties.

PROTOCOL No. 14.—SITTING or MARCH 25, 1856.
Present.—The Plenipotentiariee of Austria, France,
Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, Sardinia, and Turkey.
The Protocol of the preceding sitting is read and
approved.
The Plenipotentiaries of Russia are invited to com-
municate to the Congress the observations which they
had reserved to themselves to offer upon the terms in-
serted in Protocol No. 13, relative to the fourth point.
Baron Brunnow states that, by insuring to the Chris-
tians of the Ottoman Empire the complete enjoyment of
their privileges, there has been bestowed upon peace an
additional guarantee, and which will not be the least
valuable ; that on this ground it would be impossible to
appreciate too highly the importance of the hatti-sherif
which had recently emanated from the sovereign will of
the Sultan ; that the Russian Plenipotentaries do not
hesitate to acknowledge, and, moreover,
happy to declare
that this Act, each paragraph of which clearly attests
the benevolent intentions of the Sovereign who has pub-
lished it, realises, and even surpasses, all their hopes ;
that it would be an act of homage to the excellent wis-
dom of the Sultan, and a proof of the solicitude which
equally animates all the Governments of Europe, to
mention it in the Treaty of Peace ; that this point is
agreed upon, and all that remains is to come to an un-
derstanding respecting the terms. M. de Brunnow adds
that the special interest felt by Russia in the Christians
of Turkey had induced her to give her full assent to the
terms first proposed, which appear, however, to have
given rise to certain objections ; although those terms,
in conformity with the unanimous opinion of the Con-
gress, ascribed exclusively to the sovereign and sponta-
neous will of the Sultan the Act which it is desired to re-
cord in the Treaty, and stipulated that no right of inter-
ference whatsoever on the part of any Power could ensue
from it.

He further states that, out of consideration for sus-
ceptibilities which we respect, we accordingly renounce
it, and we propose to the Congress terms which appear
to us to effect a',l that is requisite, whi!e keeping within
the limits traced out for us. The Baron de Brunnow
then reads those terms, which are thus drawn up :---
" Isis Majesty the Sultan having, in his constant soli-
citude for the welfare of all his subjects, without distinc-
tion of religion or of race, issued a firman which records
his generous intentions towards the Christian population
of his Empire, has resolved to bring the said firman to
the knowledge of the Contracting Powers.
" Their Majesties the Emperor of the French, &c., re-
cognise the high value of this spontaneous act of the so-
vereign will of his Majesty the Sultan. Their said Ma-
j esties accept this communication as a fresh pledge of the
amelioration of the condition of the Christians in the
East, the common object of their desires, in the general
interest of humanity, civilisation, and piety.
"While manifesting, on this point, the unanimity of
their intentions, the high contracting parties declare, by

A. '4"

cstmoon consent, that the communication of the above
mentioned act cannot hive rise to any interforetice,
col-
lective or isolated, in the affairs of the internal 16drninis.
tration of the Ottoman empire to the prejudice of the
independence and dignity of the sovereign authority in
its relations with its subjects."
The first Plenipotentiary of France, and after him the
Earl of Clarendon, observe that the draft preasnted by
the Plenipotentiaries cf Russia does not essentially differ
from that for which they demand that it should he sub.
stituted, and that by insisting on it they would place the
Plenipotentiaries of Turkey under the necessity of again
referring to Constantinople respecting it, and would thus
give rise to fresh delays ; that the differences to be ob.
served between the two texts had either a bearing deservs
ing the attention of the Congress, and in that case the
Plenipotentiaries of Russia should define their character
and nature, or that those differences are insigniho met, ae
might be supposed from a simple perusal, and that ac.
cordingly it would be best to adhere to the terms which
have already obtained the assent of the Ottoman GI overn.
ment, the party principally interested in the quest ion.
Count Orloff replies that, in concurrence wit h the
Baron de Brunnow, and taking into consideration the
motives set forth by the Plenipotentiares of France and
of Great Britain, he gives up the project presented by
the second Plenipotentiary of Russia, and adopts the one
which had been presented by Count \Valewcki, recroiring„
however, a slight alteration, and reserving the approba-
tion of his Court.
Lord Cowley says that he cannot let pass the expres-
sions which had been used by the Baron de Brannow,
when speaking cf the special interest felt by Russia in
the Christian subjects of the Sultan, and that the lute.
rest which the other Christian Powers have unceaningly
shown in them is neither less great nor less special..
Baron Brunnow replies that, while referring to the
dispositions by which his Court had always berm Atli-
matsd, he had nut intended to throw a doubt ou, or to
contest, those of the other Powers for their co-relis
gionists.
After having stated that his instructions do not permit
him to agree to any modification without taking the
orders of his Government, Anli Pasha, admitting that
the alteration requested by Count Orloff consisted in
a simple transposition of words, assents to it, and the
Congress adopts the following terms as denitive, subject
to the reservation made above by the Plenipoteataiies
of Russia :
" His Imperial .Majesty the Sultan having, in his con-
stant solicitude for the welfare of his subjects, v.-ithrnt
distinction of religion or of race, issusd a fireman, which,
while ameliorating their condition, equally records hie
generous intentions towards the Christian population of
his Empire, and wishing to give a further proof of his
sentiments in that respect, has resolved to communicate
to the Contracting Parties the said finnan, emanating
spontaneously from his sovereign will.
"The Contracting Powers recognise the high value of
this communication.
"It is clearly underetcod that it cannot, in any case,
give 'to the said Powers the right to interfere, either
collectively or separately, in the relations of his Majesty
the Sultan with his subjects, nor in the internal adminis-
tration of his empire."
Count Walewski says that the state of war having
made void the treaties and conventions which existed
between Rucsia and the other belligerent Powers, it is
proper to agree to a transitory stipulation for settling the
c mimercial relations of their respective subjects, dating
from the conclusion of peace.
The Earl of Carendon expresses an opinion that it
would be advisable to stipulate mutually, as regards
commerce and navigation, for the treatment of the most
favoured nation, until each allied Power shall be able to
renew its ancient treaties with Russia, or else negotiate

new ones.
The Plenipotentiaries of Russia reply that they are
without instructions in this respect, and that it would not
be allowable for them to enter into engagements mien-
lated to create a state of things different from that which
existed before the war, and that before assenting
to the combination proposed by the Earl of Claren-
don, they must refer to their Court on the subject ;
that Russia has, moreover, concluded with cer.
ta;n frontier States, Treaties which grant to their
respective subjects advantages which it might, perhaps,
not suit her to concede even temporarily to the subjects
of other Powers, seeing that a just reciprocity might
possibly not result from such a course ; and, for these
reasons, they propose to agree that the Treaties and
Conventions existing before the war shall be revived for
a period fixed and sufficient to permit the Contracting
Parties to come to an agreement as to new stipulations,
The question being reserved, the Earl of Clarendon
says that, while admitting Turkey to form part of the
political system of Europe, the contracting Powers
would give a striking proof of the dispositions which
bind them together, and of their solicitude for the gene-
ral interests of their respective subjects, if they endea-
voured to come to an understanding among themselves
with the view of placing the relations of their commerca
and navigation in harmony with the new position con-
ferred on the Ottoman Empire.
Count Walewski supports this opinion, and insists
upon the new principles which are about to emanate
from the deliberations of the Congress, and on the
guarantees which the recent measures taken by the
Government of the Sultan afford to Europe.
The Count de Cavour observes that no Power posf ea-
ses a commercial legislation of a more liberal character
than that of Turkey, and that the anarchy which reigns
i❑ the transactions, or rather in the personal relations,
of foreigners resident in the Ottoman Empire, results
from stipulations which bad their origin in an exceptional
situation.

Byron Manteuffel says that Prussia having had to
negotiate a Treaty of Commerce with the Porte, he has
had an opportunity of verifying the difficulties of every
kind arising from the multiplicity of Conventions con-
cluded with Turkey, and stipulating, in favour of each
Power, for the treatment of the most favoured nation.
Count Buol acknowledges that certain advantages
would result from the regulation of the commercial rela-

tions of Turkey with the other Powers ; but as intermts
differed with the respective situations, extreme cirou:m•
spection is indispensable in proceeding to a readjustment
which would affect a state of things already acquired,
dating from the earliest times of the Ottoman Empire.

Aali Pasha attributes all the difficulties which fetter
the commercial relations of Turkey and the action of the
Ottoman Government to stipulations which are obsolete.
He enters into details tending to establish that the
privileges which Europeans have acquired by the capitu-
lations are injurious to their own security and to the de-
velopment of their transactions, by limiting the inter-
ference of the local administration ; that the jurisdiction
by which foreign agents protect their countrymen, con-
stitutes a multiplicity of Governments within the Go-
vernment, and, consequently, an insuperable obstacle to
all improvements.

Baron Boirqueney, and the other Plenipotentiaries
with him, acknowledge that the capitulations apply to a
situation to which the Treatc, of Peace will necessarily
tend to put an end, and that the privileges which they
confer upon individuals circumscribe the authority of the
Porte within limits to be regretted ; that it is opportue e
to devisa modifications calculated to bring all things int o
harmony ; but that it is not less important to adapt
them to the reforms which Turkey is introducing into
her administration, so as to combine the guarantees ne-
cessary for foreigners with those which will result from
the measures which the Porte is engaged in applying.
After these mutual explanations, the Plenipotentiar'.es
unanimously recognize the necessity of revising the stipu•
lations which regulate the commercial relations of the
Porte with the other Powers, as well as the position of
foregners resident in Turkey ; and they decide upon re-
cording in the present Protocol their wish that a delibera-
tion should be opened at Constantinople, after the con-
clusion of peace, between the Porte and the Represents.-
fives of the other Contracting Powers, with the view of
attaining this twofold object in such a manner as to afford
entire satisfaction to all legitimate interests.
The Congress resumes the discussion of the Articles
relative to Servia ; Count Walewski reads them. ..4.ftsr
having been revised, these Articles are agreed to by the
Congress in the following terms :
ARTICLE .
"The Principality of Servia shall continue to hold of
the Sublime Porte, in conformity with the Imperial Hate
which fix and determine its rights and immunities, placed
henceforward under the collective guarantee of the Con.
tracting Powers.
"In consequence, the said Principality shall preserve
its independent and national administration, as well as
the full liberty of norship, of legislation, of commerce,
and of navigation.
His majesty the Sultan engages to examine, in con.
cert with the High Contracting Powers, what ameliora-
tions the present organisation of the Principality ad.
mite of.

ARTICLE
"The right of garrison of the Sublime Porte, as stipu-
ated by anterior regulations, is maintained. No armed
ntervention can take place in its territory without pre-
vious agreement between the High Contracting Powers."
The Congress further decides that the Ministers of
the Porte shall come to an understanding, at Constanti-
nople, with the Representatives of the other Contracting
Powers, upon the most suitable means for putting an end
to proved abuses by an investigation, the nature of which
they will determine among themselves.
Count Buol considers that it would be advantageous,
with reference to the different points upon which the
Congress had been engaged, to obtain from the Plenipo-
tentiaries of Russia assurances on the subject of Monte-
negro, which they are probably disposed to give. He
adds that circumstances, dating from different periods,
may have given rise to a belief that Russia intended to
pursue in that Province a course of action having a cer-
tain .
analogy with that which had devolved on her the
Danubian Provinces, and that her Plenipotentiaries
might, by means of a declaration which would be re-
corded in the Protocol, remove all doubts on this point.
The Plenipotentiaries of Russia reply that no mention
was made of Montenegro, either in the &Turnouts which
issued from the Conferences of Vienna, or in the Acts
which had preceded the meeting of the Congress ;
that, nevertheless, they do not hesitate to declare, as the
question has been pat to them, that their Government
has no other relations with Montengro than such as
spring from the sympathies of the Montenegrins for Russia,
and from the friendly dispositions of Russia towards those
mountaineers.
This declaration is deemed satisfactory, and the Con-
gress proceeds to the examination of the Articles rela-
tive to the Danubian
.Principalities, which have been re-
vised by the Commission for drawing up the Treaty.
After having formed the subject of a fresh discussion,
these Articles are recorded in the Protocol as follows :

" ARTICLE
"The Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia shall
continue to enjoy, under the suzerainty of the Porte,
and under the guarantee of Europe, the privileges and
immunities of which they are in possession. No exclusive
protection shall be exercised over them by any of the gual