Year: 1870

"Aehout Delug ouIlSeu W pay uuties, cldTSes
or fees to any officers of the admiralty or
customs or any others, nor shall such prizes
be arrested, searched or put under legal
process when they come to and enter ports
of the other party, but may be freely car
ried out again at any time by their captains
to the places expressed in their commissions,
which the commanding officer of such YES
sci shall be obliged to show


And do further declare and proclaim
that it has been officially communicated to
the Government of the United States by
the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plen-
ipotentiary Of the North German Confeder-
alton at Washington, that private property
on the high seas will be exempted from sci
zure by ships of His Majesty, the King Of
Prussia, without-regard to reciprocity.


And do further declare and proclaim
that it has been officially communicated to
the Government of the United States by
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister PIenipo-
teutiary of His Majesty, the Emperor of the
French, at Washington, that orders have
been given that in the conduct of the war
the commanders Of the French forces on
land and on sea shall scrupulously observe
toward neutral powers the rules of interna-
tional law, and that they shall strictly ad,
here to the principles set forth in the decla-
ration of the congress of the sixteenth OF
April, 1856. That is to say:


First. That privateering is and remains
abolished.


Second That neutral flags shall cover the
enemy's goods with the exception of con-
trabaud of war.


Third, That neutral goods with the ex-
ception of. contraband of war are not liable
to capture under the enemy's flag.


Fourth, That blockade in order to be
binding must be effective That is to say,
maintained by force sufficient really to pre-
vent access to the coast of the enemy, and
that although the United State, have not
adhered to the declaration of 1856, the ves-
sells of His Majesty will not seize the enc
my's property found on b ard of vessel OF
the United States, provided that property
is not contraband of war.


And do further declare and proclaim,
that the statutes of the United States and
the law of nations alike require that no per-
son within the territory or jurisdiction OF
the United States shall take part directly or
indirectly in said war, but shall remain at
peace with each of the said belligerents and
shall maintain strict and impartial neu
trality, and that whatever privileges shall
be accorded to one belligerent within the
ports of the United States shall be in Ike
manner accorded to the other; and | do
hereby enjoin all good citizens of the United
States, and all persons residing or being
within the territory or jurisdiction of the
United States to observe the laws thereof
and to commit no act contrary to the pro.
visions of said statutes, or in violation of
the law of nations in that behalf and l do
hereby warn all citizens of the United States
and all persons residing within their terrific
tory or jurisdiction, that while the free and
full expression of sympathies in public and
private is not restricted by the laws of the
United States, military forces in aid of eth
er belligerent cannot lawfully be originated
or organized within their jurisdiction, and
that while all persons mag lawfully ard
without restriction, by reason of the afore-
said state of war, manufacture and sell with
in the United States arms and munitions oi
war, and other articles ordinarily known as
coutraband of war, yet they cannot carry
such articles upon the high seas for the use
or service of either belligerent, nor can they
transport soldiers and officers of either, OF
attempt TO break any blockade which may
be lawfully established and maintained du
ring the war, without incurring the risk o.
hostile capture, and the penalties denounc
ed by the law of nations in that behalf.


And | do hereby give notice that all citi
zsns of the United States, and others who
may claim the protection of this Govern
ment who may misconduct themselves IL
the premises, do so at their own risk, anC
that they can in no wise obtain any protec
ton from the Government of the United
States against the consequences of thei
misconduct.


In witness whereof I have hereunto Sc
my hand and caused the seal OF the United
States to be affixed Done at the city O
Washington, this twenty second day OF Au
gust, in the year Of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and seventy, and of the In
dependence of the United States of Ameri
ca, the ninety fifth.


By the President:


HAMILTON FISH, Z. S. GRANT.
Secretary of State.