Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-04
THE NEUTRALITY TREATY.

The late treaty between the United States
and Russia has been officially promulgated
The convention between the parties was con.
cluded on the ed day of July last, and
the notifications Of the respective governments
were exchanged on the 3lst ultimo, in this city
Although the terms of this treaty have hereto
fore been published, it is of such an interesting
character as to warrant the statement of them
in the precise language employed, and which
is as follows
"The United States of America and his Ma.
jesty the Emperor of all the Russas, equally ami.
mated with desire to maintain, and to pre-
serve from all harm, the relations of good
understanding which have at all times so hap
PLY subsisted between themselves, as also
between the inhabitants of their respective
States, have mutually agreed to perpetuate, by
means of formal convention, the principles
of the right of neutrals at sea, which they
recognise as indispensable conditions of all
freedom of navigation and maritime trade.
For this purpose, the President of the United
States has conferred full powers on William L..
Marcy, Secretary of State of the United States !;
and his Majesty the Emperor of all the Rus.
sias has conferred like powers on Mr. Edward
de Stoeckl, Counsellor of State, knight of the
orders of Ste. Anne, of the I'd class, of St.
Stanislas, of the 4th class, and of the Iron
Crown of Austria, of the Sd class, his Maiesty's
charge daffairs near the government of the
United States OF America; and said plenipo-
tentiaries, after having exchanged their full
powers, found in good and due form, have con-
cluded and signed the following articles
"ARrIoLE 1.-The two high contracting par
ties recognize as permanent and immutable
the following principles, to wit:
"lst. That free ships make free goods-that
is to say, that the effects or goods belonging to
subjects or citizens of power or State at war
are tree from capture and confscation when
found on board of neutral vessels, with the ex-
ception of articles contraband of war.
"2d. That the property of neutrals on board
an enemy's vessel is not subject to confscation,
unless the same be contraband of war. They
engage to apply these principles to the com
merce and navigation of all such powers and
States as shall consent to adopt them on their
part as permanent and immutable.
"ARTIcLE 1.-THE two high contracting
parties reserve themselves to come to an ulte-
rior understanding, as circumstances may re-
quire, with regard to the application and extern
sion TO be given, if there be any cause for il, to
the principles laid down in the first article.
But they declare from this time that they will
take the stipulations contained in said article
lst as rule, whenever it shall become ques-
ton, to judge of the rights Of neutrality.
"ARTIoLE IIL.--It is agreed by the high
contracting parties that all nations which shall
or may consent to accede to the rules Of the
first article Of this convention, by formal de-
claration STIMULATING TO observe them, shall en-.
Joy the rights resulting from such accession as
they shall be enjoyed and observed by the two
powers signing this convention. They shall
mutually communicate To each other the results
Of the steps which may be taken on the subject
"ARTroLE IV.--The present convention shall
be approved and ratified by the President Of
the United States of America, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate Of said States
and by his Majesty the Emperor of all the Rus
sias, and the ratification Of the same shall be
exchanged at Washington within the period o.
ten months, counting from this day, or sooner
if possible.
Gin faith whereof the respective plenipoten
tiaries have signed the present convention II
duplicate, and thereto affixed the seal Of theil
arms.
"Done at Washington the twenty.seconC
day Of July, the year Of Grace 1854"
"W. L. MARCY, f.. g.