The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-30 00:00:00

AY EVENING, APRIL 30, 1856

it would, consequently, be advisable to take into ac-
count what bad been then prepared.
Count Buol reads the Annex to the fifth Vienna Pro-
tocol.

Count Walewski proposes that the following clauses
should be drawn up :

" The Act of the Congress of Vienna having esta-
blished the principles intended to regulate the navigation
of rivers which traverse several States, the Contracting
Powers stipulate among themselves that these principles
shall in future be equally 'applied to the Danube and its
mouths ; they declare that this arrangement henceforth
forms part of the public law of Europe, and take it under
their guarantee. . _

"Tie navigation of the Danube cannot be subjected
to any impediment or change not expressly provided for
by the stipulations which follow : in consequence, there
shall not be levied any toll founded solely upon the fact
of the navigation of the river, nor any duty upon the
goods which may be on board of vessels, and no obstacle
whatever shall be opposed to free navigation.
" The Sublime Porte engages to cause to be executed,
in conjunction with the Local Government in the Prin-
cipalities, the works which are at present, or which may
become, necessary, as well to clear the mouth of the
Danube from the sands which obstruct it, as to put the
river in the best possible state for navigation on other
points in the upper part of its course, especially between
the ports of Gatatz and Braila.
"In order to cover the expenses of such works, as
well of the establishments intended to secure and to foci-

litate the navigation, fixed duties of a suitable rate way
be levied on ships navigating the Lower Danube, on the
express condition that, in this respect as in every other,
the flags of all nations shall be treated on the footing of
perfect equality.
" With the view to carry out the arrangements of the
preceding Article, a Commission, which can only be
dissolved by common consent, and composed of

shall be
charged with the duty of determining the extent of the
works to be executed, and of preparing the bases of a
regulation for navigation, and for river and maritime
police ; it shall also draw up instructions intended for the
guidance of an Executive Commission.
"In conformity with the stipulations of the Treaties of
Vienna, this Commission will be composed of
in their quality of river-
bordering states ; it will 'be permanent. In case of dis-
agreement relative to the interpretation of the establish.
ed regulations, referenes shall be had to the Contracting
Powers."

Count Walewski observes that the Congress will fur-
ther have to take into consideration the composition of
the Commissions mentioned in the two last paragraphs ;
but that as the' Executive Commission is to comprise
delegates of all the Powers bordering on the Danube,
it will be proper to invite Bavaria to send representatives
to it,

Count Buol remarks, that the regulation of which this
Commission will have to superintend the execution, can
affect only the interests of the navigation of the Lower
Danube ; that the navigation of the Upper Danube has
not given rise to any dispute among the interested par-
ties, and that there could be no reason for giving to the
authority of the Commission an extension for which
there was no justification.
The first Plenipotentiary of France replies, that the
Congress has to deal with a general question affecting the
navigation of the river ; that it had been thus laid down
in the document which forms the basis of the negotia.
tion ; and that, from the moment it is agreed that the
Commission styled Executive is to be composed of river-
bordering Powers, it becomes impossible to exclude
Bavaria from it ; he adds that, moreover, the text of the
proposed Articles a•lmits of no ambiguity and sufficiently
indicates the nature of the attributes of this Commission.
Count Walewski reads the seventh and last paragraph,
which is in the following terms :
"In order to insure the execution of the regulations
which shall have been drawn up by common consent in
accordance with the principles above set forth, each of
the Contracting Powers shall have the right of station.
ing (one or t'.vo) light vessels at the mouths of the
Danube."

The Congress defers, to a future sitting, the final
drawing up of these several paragraphs.
The fir-t Plenipotentiary of Great Britain expresses the
opinion that the terms of the stipulations inserted in the
Protocols ought not to bind the Congress irrevocably.
He adds, that, in his opinion, each Plenipotentiary re-
tains the right of furither proposing such modifications as
he may consider it advantageous to bring forward.
Count Orloff replies that, as the Plenipotentiaries
transmit each Protocol to their respective Governments,
he cannot admit that paragraphs, accepted unanimously,
can be indefinitely altered.
The Plenipotentiaries of Great Britain explain that
they do not propose to reserve to each Plenipotentiary
the right of revising the resolutions adopted and the
principles accepted by the Congeess, but the power of
proposing a simple revision of the text, if necessary, in
order better to define its sense and bearing.
The observations of the Earl of Clarendon, confined
within these limits, are agreed to by the Congress.
(The signatures follow).

PROTOCOL No. 6.—SITTING or MARCH 8, 1356.
Pre,ent.--The Plenipotentiaries of Austria, France,
Great Britain, Russia, Sardinia, and Turkey.
The first Plenipotentiary of Turkey states that
Mehemmed Djemil Bey would not be present at the
sitting, the state of his health not allowing him to be so.
The Protocol of the preceding meeting is read and
approved.
The first Plenipotentiary of Ru Fla states t'at his
Court has assented to the establishment of the Mixed
Commission Which will be charged with the revision of
the Asiatic frontier, and to which, a; stated in Protocol
No. 4, the Plenipotentiaries of Russia bad only agreed
subject to the approval of their Government.
On the proposal of Count Wa!ewski; the Congress
proceeds to the development of the first point, and de-
cides that, before touching on the questions relating to
the organisation of the Principalities, it will take up the
rectification of the frontiers between the Danubian Pro-
vinces and the Russian territory.
Baron Brunnow reads a memorandum tending to
prove that the character of the localities, and the dine-
tion of the roads of communication, do not admit of a
direct line being drawn between the two extreme points
indicated in the Preliminaries of Peace. He observes
that the Allied Powers propose to insure the free naviga-
tion of the Danube, and he conceives that this object
would be attained by another line which he is instructed
to propose to the Congress ; this line, which Would have
the adrantag,e of causing no disturbance in the adminis-
tration of the Province, would start from Waduli-Tsaki
on the Pruth, full )w the Val de Traja,n, and terminate
on time north of Lake Yalput. Russia would abandon,
the Islands of Delta, and raze the forts of Ismail and
Kilia-nova. _ _

Count Walewski replies that this proplsition is too
material a departure from the very bases of the negotia-
tion for the Plenipotentiaries of the allied Powers to be
able to take it into serious consideration.

fAy V • SJ • ••• _
Baron Brunnow, reverting to the observations which
he had already urged, states that it would be difficult to
fiz upon a good boundary, if the limits which he has sug-
gested are departed from. He adds that it might, how-
ever, be possible to add to the territory ceded by Russia
by the line which he has already proposed, that which is
included between the Lake Kartalabug, the Val de
Tv-dam, and Lake Salsyk.
Toe first Plenipote' t ary of Great Britain represents
that the admission s f the line indicated by the Russian
Plenipotentiary wou'd be equivalent to the abandonment
of the propositions drawn up by Austria with the assent
of the allied Powers ; that those prepositions have been
accepted at St. Petersburg, confirmed at Vienna and
Paris, and that the Plenipotentiaries of those Powers,
whatever may be the spirit of coned ation by which they
are animated, could not depart, to such an extent, from
the conditions of peace, and entirely renounce conces-
sions admitted in principle by a'l the Governments repre-
sented a- the Congress.
Count Walewski make, similar observations.
Count Buol also remarks that the line proposed by
Baron Brunnow comprises only a small portion of the
territory the cession of which had been consented to by
Russia when she accepted the conditions of peace con-
veyed by Austria to St. Petersburg, and that he hopes
that the Plenipotentiaries of Russia will make to the Con-
gress a proposition approaching more nearly to the facts
which had preceded the opening of the negotiationp.
Baron Hubner observes that the line indicated by its
two extreme points, in the Austrian propositions, is
founded on the configuration of the country, as laid down
in all the snaps. •
The Plenipitenthries of Russia reply that they have
given evidence, in the preceding sittings, of their concilia-
tory intentions ; that they have placed before the Con-
gress considerations which, iu their opinion, deserve to be
taken into account ; that they have no other object than
to elicit an understanding in conformity with the topo-
graphy of the country and with the interests of its Wm-
bitanta; and that they are consequently ready to discuss
any other proposition which might be communicated to
them.

The first Plenipotentiary of France repeats that the
allied Powers could not agree to a boundary which would
not be in accordance with the concessions obtained by the
negotiation ; but that it is nevertheless admissible to pro-
ceed by means of compensation ; and that, it might per-
haps be possible to come to an understanding by extend-
ing the boundary to the south-east and beyond Lake
Salsyk, if, as the Plenipotentiaries of Russia conceive, it
would encounter topographical difficulties to the north.
After a discussion upon this amendment, in which all
the Plenipotentiaries take part, it is proposed to the.
Plenipotentiaries of Russia to settle the frontier by
means of a line which, starting from the Pruth between
Leova and Hush, would pass to the north of Lake
Salsyk, and terminate above Lake Albedies.
The Plenipotentiaries of Russia being obliged, they
say, to ascertain what effect this would have upon the
Bulgarian and-Russian colonies established in this part
of Bessarabia, request that the continuation of the dis-
cussion may be deferred till the next sitting.
The Congress agrees ; but the Plenipoten Liar ies of France
and Great Britain maintain that the proposition, to which
they have assented in a spirit of concord, constitutes, in
every respect, a concession, the importance of which
proved by the extent of territory comprised between
Chotyn and Hush, and they express the conviction that
this concession will be fully appreciated by the Plenipo-
tentiaries of Russia.
Count Orloff bears witness to the goodwill which the
Russian Plenipotentiaries, in their turn, experience
from the other members of the Congress, and he adds,
that in requesting to be allowed time fully to examine
the proposition which has been made to them, the only
object they have in view, is to endeavour to reconcile it
with local requirements.
The Congress then proceeds to the examination of the
propositions relative to tha organisation of the Principa-
lities.
Count Walewski remarks that, before touching on
this important point of negotiation, it is indispensable to
deliberate on a question which is of a paramount ina,

portance, and on the solution of which must necessarily
depend the further labours of the Congress on that sub-
ject ; this question is, whether Moldavia and Wallachia
shall henceforth be united in one single Principality, or
whether they shall continue to possess a separate admi•
nistration. The first Plenipotentiary of France conceives
that, as the union of the two Provinces satisfies the re•

quirements brought to light by an attentive investiga-
tion into thair true interests, the Congress should admit
and proclaim it.
The first Plenipotentiary of Great Britain shares in
and supports this opinion, relying especially on the
utility and expediency of taking into serious considera-
tion the wishes of the people, which it is always right
be adds, to take into account.

The first Plenipotentiary of Turkey contests it. Alli
Pasha maintains that the state of things to which it is
proposed to put an end cannot Li attributed to the sepa-
ration of the two Provinces; that the separation dates
from the most remote times, while the confusion which
has prevailed in the Principalities dates from a conipara•
tively recent period ; that the separation is the natural
consequence of the difference of manners and habits in
the two Provinces ; that some individuals, influenced by
personal considerations, have propounded an opinion ad-
verse to the existing state of things, but such certainly
is not the opinion of the people.
Count Buol, although not authorised to discuss a
question which is not provided for in his instructions,
agrees with the first Plenipotentiary of Turkey, that n--
thing could justify the union of the two Provinces ; the
people, he aids, have not been consulted ; and if the
value which each community attaches to its self-govern-
ment is considered, it may be inferred a priori that the
Moldavians, equally with the Wallachians, desire, above
all things, to preserve their local and separate institu•
tion3.

After having added further arguments in support of
his opinion, Count Walewski replies that the Congress
cannot directly consult those people, and that it must ne-
cessarily, in this respect, act upon presumption. Now,
he says, all accounts agree in representing the Moldo-
Wallachians as unanimously imbued with the desire of
forming for the future only one single Principality ; this
desire is explained by the c)mmunity of origin and of
religion, as well as by previous occurrences, which have
shown the political and administrative inconveniences
resulting from the separation the union being, no
doubt, an element of prosperity for both Provinces, an-
swers the end to which the solicitude of the Congress is
directed. _ _

The first Plenipotentiary of Austria does not think that
he can plats implicit confidence in the information on
which the first Plenipotentiary of France relies. He
thinks, besides, that the opinion of the first Plenipoten-
tiary of Turkey, who is in a better position than
any other member of the Congress for estimat-,
ing the real wants and wishes of the people, de-
serves especial consideration ; that, on the other
band, the Powers are, above all, bound to maintain
the privileges of the Principalities, and that, to
compel the two Provinces to amalgamate with each other,
would be to inflict a severe blow on those privileges, since

among the number of those privileges was, above all,
comprised that of separate Administrations. He adds
that, at a later period, and when there shall be established
in the Principalities an institution which can be regu-
larly considered as the legitimate organ of the wishes of
the country, it mightlbe possible, if necesfary, to unite
the two provinces with a full knowledge of all the cir-
cumstances.

Baron Bourqueney replies to the first plenipotentiary
of Austria that he cannot share his views ; the bases of
the negotiation, he says, sets forth that tie Principali-
ties shall preserve their privileges and their immunities,
and that the Sultan, in concert with his allies, shall
grant or confirm to them an internal organisation suita-
ble to th wants and wishes of the people. It hai there-
fore beeWreposed at Vienna to reserve to the Sultan
and his allies the right and the care of devising tozether
the measures calculated to ensure the happiness of these
people, taking into account their own wishes. Now
Fracce had presented at the Conferences of the preceding
year, an Act which placed the question on the ground of
the discussion ; and since that time no demonstration
had taken place tending to invalidate the accounts which
lead to the supposition that the Moldo-Wallachians de-
sired the union of the Provinces in one single Princi-
pality.
Tde first Plenipoteatiary of Sardinia remarks, in order
. .

to prove that the wish of the people in this respect is
antecedent to the present state ot affairs, that an article
of the Organic Statute has decided the question by re-
cording in that Act the principle of the eventual union
of the Principalities.

Aali Pasha maintains that tho Article quoted by the
Count de Cavonr would not bear such an interpretation.
Count Orloff declares that the Plemp9testiaries of

Russia, having Wad opportunities of ascertaining the
wanti and wishes of the two Principalities, support the
project of union as calculated to promote the prosperity
the Provinces.

Upon the declaration made by Aali Pasha that the
Plenipotentiaries of Turkey are not authorised t,) pursue
the discussion on this basis, and the Plenipotentiaries of
Austria being themselves without instructions, the ques-
tion is adjourned to another sitting, in order to enable
theca to take the orders of their Courts.
(The signatures follow.)

PROTOCOL No. 7.—SITTING or MARCH 10, 1856.
Present.—The Plenipotentiaries of Austria, France,
Great Britain, Russia, Sardinia, and Turkey.
Tian second Plenipotentiary of Turkey, prevented by
the st:ste of his health, does not assist at the sitting.

The Protocol of the preceding sitting is read and ap-
proved.
Tne CJugress resumes the discussion on the demarca-
tion of the frontiers in Bessarabia.

Baron Brunnow explains that the Plenipotentiaries of
Russia have examined, in the same spirit of conciliation
which had suggested the terms of it to the Plenipoten-
tiaries of the Allied Powers, the line which had baen
proposed to them at the preceding sitting ; that they
acknowledge how much this line justifies the confidence
which they had placed in the conci;iatory dispositions of
the Congress; but that after having consulted their in-
structions, and grounding their opinion on the topo-
graphical and administrative considerations which they
have already explained, they find themselves compelled,
in the interest itself of a good demarcation, to demand
a.n atnendment of the line which had-been offered to
them, so that the frontier, starting from the confluence
of the Prath and the Saratsika, should ascend this latter
river as far as the village of the same name, and should
proceed thence towards the river Yalpuck, the course of
which it should descend as far as the point where it joins
the Val de. Trajan, which it should follow as far as lake
Salsyk, terminating finally at the northern extremity of
Lake Alabies.

This pronoiition is subjected to an examination in
which all the Plenipotentiaries take part ; who come to
an agree neat and decide that the frontier shall start from
the Black Sea, cmelkilometre to the east of Lake Bourna
Sola, shalt run perpendicularly to the Akerman
follow this road as far as the Val de Trajan, pass to the
south of B.)!grad, ascend the Yalpuc River to the Height
of Sarateika, and terminate at Katamori on the Prutb.

The Plenipotentiaries of Russia, whilst assenting to
the result of this deliberation, yet having, they say, been
obliged to depart from their instructions, reserve the
approbation of their Court.

A C)mmission, composed of engineers and surveyors,
shall be charged with fixing in its details the line of the
new frontier.

Count Orloff, grounding his ar,uments on precedents,
proposes to the Congress to decide that the inhabitants
of the territory ceded by Russia should retain the full
enjoyment of the rights and privileges of which they are
in possession, and that they shall be permitted to transfer
their abode,elsewhere, ceding their property in return for
a pecuniary indemnity agreed upon by comm in consent,
or by means of a separate agreement to be concluded
with the Administration of the Principalities.
Several plenipotentiaries observing that this proposi-
tion may raise difficulties which they are not in a posi-
tion to el pr.iciate, the Congress receive it ad referendum.
Count Walewski remarks that the development of the
first point, as far as concerns the future organisation of
the Principalities, requires that the 'details of it should
be coniftied to a Commission, the labours of which, if the
conclusion of peace were made to depend on them. would
delay, without sufficient reason, the principal object en-
trusted to the care of the Congress. In the opening of
the first Plenipotentiary of France, they might confine
themselves to laying down in the Treats the bases of the
political and administrative system which shall henceforth
regulate the Danubian Province 4, agreeing, at the same
Alma, that_ the Contracting Parties shall conclude a Con-
vention on this subject with the least possible delay. In
this case, he adds, the Treaty of Peace might be signeci
shortly, and the expectation of Europe would be no
longer kept in suspense.
1 his proposition is the subject of a discussion in whic h
take part particularly the Plen;poteniaries of Austria and
Great Britain.

The first Plenipotentiary of Austria proposes an amend-
ment which is accepted ; and, in consequence, the Con-
gress decides that a Commission, composed of Count
Buol, Baron Bourqueney, and Aa.li Pasha, shall present,
at the next sitting, the text of the Articles of the Treaty
of Peace destined to fix the bases of the Convention
which shall be concluded on the subject of the Princi-
palities.
Count Walewski expresses the opinion that at the
point at which the negotiations have happily arrived, the
moment is come to invite Prussia to send Representa-
tives to the Congress, in accordance with the decision
come to'at the meeting of the 28th of February, and he
proposes to adopt and forward to Berlin the following
resolution :---

" The Congress, considering that it is a matter of Eu-
ropean interest that Prussia, a signing Party to the Con-
vention concluded at London on the 13th July, 1841,
should participate in the new arrangements to be adopted,
decides that an extract from the Protocol of this day
,shall be forwarded tl Berlin through Count Walewski,
as organ of the Congress, in order to invite the Prussian
Government to send Plenipotentiaries to Paris,"

The Congress adheres.
The Earl of Clarendon, expressing the confidence
which he places in the sentiments of the Court of Rui-
t-ia, and speaking in the nams of the allied Powers,
states that he thinks he may be sure that the ceme-
teries in which repose the officers and soldiers who have
fallen before Sebastopol or on other points of the Rus.
sian territory, as well as the monuments raised to their
memory, will be maintained in perpetuity and treated
with the respect due to the ashes of the dead ; he adds
that he should, however, be happy to receive an assur-
ance of this from the mouth of the Plenipotentaries of
Russia.
,Count Orloff thanks the Congress for the opportunity
which is offered him of giving a proof of the di, p mition
which animates the Emperor his august Master, of which
he is sure that he is the loyal and faithful interpreter in
declaring that all the necessary measures will be taken
to rea,is3 fully the wish expressed by the Plenipoten-
tiaries of the allied Powers.
Court Waleweki remarks that the Treaty of Peace

should make mention of the full and complete amnesty
which each belligerent P,)wer is to grant to its ()am sub-
jects for all co•operstiori in acts of war.
The Plenipotentiaries of Russia assent to this opinion,
which is equally agreed to by the other members of the
Congress.

(The signatures follow.)

PROTOCOL No. B.—SITTING OF MARCH 12, 1856.

Present.—The Plenipotentiaries of Austria, Franca,
Great Britain, Russia, Sardinia, and Turkey.

The Protocol of the preceding sitting is-read and ap-
proved.
Baron BJurquency givol an account of the
hours of the Commission which at the last meeting
had been charged with preparing the text of the Articles
of the Trea'y concerning the future organisation of the
Principalities.
Before reading the Articles proposed by the Commis-
sion, Barony B oirqueney establishes that the object of
the labonrs of this Commission has been to reconcile the
opinions expressed et the last sitting.
The course proposed by the Cominii,sion, Baron Boar-
queney adds, rests on three principles:—
To conclude peace without making the final instru
ment depend on a diplomatic act remaining in suspense ;
To take proper measures for ascertaining the wishes
of the populations on questions of principle not yet
solved ;

• To respect the rights of the Suzerain Power, and not
to overlook those ot. the gwanteoing Powers, by estab-
lishing the douhie necesiity ot a diplomatic act to record
the principles adopted as bases of the organisation of the
Principalities, and of a hatti-shm if to promulgate the ap-
.
Ition,of those principles.
• Starting from.these three principles,
.the Commission
proposes to send delegates immediately to Bucharest,
who shall meet there an Ottoman Commissioner.

Divans ad hoc would be convoked without delay in
the capital of the two Provinces. These Divans would
be composed in such a manner as to afford guarantees of
a true and serious representation.
The European Commission. taking into consideration
the wishes expressed by the Divans, would revise the
statutes and regulations in force. The, mult of its labours
would be transmitted to the present seat of the Confer-
ences. A Diplomatic Convention, founded on these
labours, wool I he concluded between the Contractur;
Powers, and a hatti sherif, const,tuting the definitive or-
ganisation, would be pronu)gated by the Sultan.
The Congress adopts the proposed course, and defers to
a future sitting the definitive adoption 4.f the text of the
Articles whicu Baron Bon rqueney has read.

The Plenipotentiaries of .I.ll.usia and Turkey communi•
cats to the (I)ngress the pr-ject of the Convention which
is to be concluded between them, after being agreed to
by the other Plenipotentiaries relative to the light vessels
of war which the coast Powers shall maintain in the
Black Sea.

They announce that they are not agreed on one
point. The Plenipotentiaries of Russia think that the
Convention should authorise both Powers to maintain,
besi.les the vessels of war which shall be employed in the
police of the Black Sea, and a fixed number of transports,
some vessels of less tonnage for the purpose of watching
over the execution of the administrative and sanitary
regulations in the ports. The Plenipotentiaries of Turkey
are not authorised to accept a stipulation framed in this
sense.

The Plenipstentiaries of Russia give to the Congress
explanations tending to prove the necessity of providing
for the internal police of the ports, and of inserting in the
Convention a clause relative to the stationary vessels
which shall be there employed, so as not to expose the
Powers on the coast of the Black Sea to the intepretations
which might be authorised by this subject being passed
over in silence.
The Plenipotentiaries of Great Britain and France
reply that, as these vessels cannot be either of the diinen-
slows or armament of ships cf war, there is no occasion
to in ration them in the Convention, and that if Russia
means only to have in in her ports such boats as those
called " pataches," for the service of the custom-house
and quarantine, 'and which censequently would not be
employed at sea, there is no reason to fear that the pre-
sence of these " pataches" in the commercial ports can
give rise to objectionable interpretations.
The Plenipotentiaries of Russia withdraw their do
maul relative to the insertion in the Convention of the
clause concerning the small vessels destined for the in-
ternal service of the ports, reserving, at the same time,
the approbation of their Court.
The Earl of C'arandon remarks that that transport-
vessels should not be armed.
Count Orloff replies that, like all the transports em-
ployed by the other Powers in other seas, the transpeits
of Russia in the Black Sea will be exclusively furnished
With a defensive anneal: es; suitable to the nature of the
service for which they will be designed.
The Earl of Clarendon not considering that be should
be justified in admitting these explanations, the question
is adjourned.
The Congress resumes the discussion of the project for
drawing up the second.point, which had been the subject
of its deliberations in the sitting of the 6th of March.
Count Boo! states, that the principles established by
the Congress of Vienna, and intended to regulate the
navigation of rivers which traverse several States, lay
down, as the principal regulation, that the Powers on the
banks of rivers 'shall be exclusively entitled to arrange
regulations of river police, and to superintend the execu-
tion of such regulations ; that the European Commission,
of which mention is made in the terms inserted in the
Protoc it No. 5, will comprise, besides the delegates of
the Powers on the banks of the Danube, delegates from
Powers not on the banks of that river ; that the perma-
nent Commission which is to be substituted !or the
European Commission, will be charged with executing
the resolutions alopted by it ; that,•frona that time, and
in order to abide by the. spirit as well as the terms_ef the
Act of the Congress of Viennaf both Commissions should
confine their labours to the Lower Danube and its
mouths.
Count Walewski recalls attention to the bases of the
negotiation accepted by all the Contracting Powers, and
which are to the effect that the liberty of the Danube
and its mouths should be efficiently secured ; conse-
quently it has been understood that the free navigation
of this river shall be presided for.
The Earl of Clarendon adds that, if it were otherwise,
Austria, remaining alone in poseessien of the Upper Da-
nube and sharing in the navigation of the lower part of
the raver, would acquire separate and exclusive advae-
tages which the Congress could not sanction,
The Plenipotentiaries of Austria reply that all the
effsrts as well as the tendencies of their Government, in
commercial matters, have for their object to esta!ilish and
propagate on all points of the Empire, he principles Of
complete liberty, and that the free navigation of the
Danube is naturally comprised within the limits of the
improvements which it proposes to make ; but that it
finds itself hampered, in this matter, by previnus engage-
ments, and acquired rights, which it is obliged to take
into account ; that its intentions, therefore, respond to
the wish recorded in the Preliminaries of Peace ; that,
nevertheless, they cannot recognise in the Commissions
which it is proposed to esteteisli, an authority which
could not belong to them on the Upper Danube.
The first Plenipotentiary of France says that it is ne-
cessary, in fact, to distinguish between two resolutions,
equally admitted in principle, but having each of them
an object perfectly distinct ; that, on tha one hand, the
Congress ought te provide e.ri the free navigation of the
Danube throughout its whole course, upon the bases
established by the Congress of Vienna ; and on the other,
to consult as to the me ins of removing the obstacles
which impede the movement of commerce in the lower
part of the river and at its mouths ; that it is solely this
latter task• which will devolve on the Commis&oners
whom it is proposed to appoint; but that it is not less
essential to come to an understanding on the develop-
ment of the general principle, in order to complete the
work which the Centrasting Powers had in view in
stipulating, as is said in the Preliminaries, that the
navigation of the Danube and its mouths shall be
efficiently secured, reserving the special positions of the
river-bordering Powers, which shall be regulated on the
principles established by the Act of the Congress of
Vienna in the matter of river navigation.
After the preceding explanations, it is decided that
Plenipotentiaries of Austria shall present, at one of the
future sittings, the amendments which they shall think
it right to' propose in the terms inserted in Protocol
No. 5.