77

The time has, however, now arrived when the
advice and remonstrances of the Four Powers
having proved wholly ineffectual, and the Mili-
tary preparations of Russia becoming daily more
extended, it is but too obvious that the Emperor
of Russia has entered upon a course of policy
which, if unchecked, must lead to the destruction
of the Ottoman Empire.

In this conjuncture, Her Majesty feels called
upon by regard for an Ally, the integrity and in-
dependence of whose Empire have been recognized
as essential to the peace of Europe, by the sym-
pathies of Her people with right against wrong,
by a desire to avert from Her Dominions most
injurious consequences, and to save Europe from
the preponderance of a Power which has vio-
lated the faith of treaties, and defies the opinion
of the civilizedworld, to take up Arms, in con-
junction with the Emperor of the French; for
the defence of the Sultan.

Her Majesty is persuaded that in so acting she
will have the cordial support of Her pepple; and
that the pretext of zeal for the Christian Religion
will be used in vain to cover an aggression under-
taken in disregard of its Holy Precepts and of its
pure and beneficent Spirit.

Her Majesty humbly trusts that Her efforts
may be successful, and that, by the blessing of
Providence, peace may be re-established on safe
and solid foundations.
Westminster, March 28, 1854.

IV.

DECLARATION OF HER MAJESTY
WITH REFERENCE TO NEUTRALS
AND LETTERS OF MARQUE.

Her Majesty's Declaration with reference to Neu-
trals and Letters of Marque.
28th March 1854.

Her Majesty the Queen of the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, having been
compelled to take up Arms in support of an Ally,
is desirous of rendering the War as little onerous
as possible to the Powers with whom she remains
at peace.

To preserve the Commerce of Neutrals from all
unnecessary obstruction, Her Majesty is willing,
for the present, to waive a part of the belligerent
rights appertaining to Her by the Law of Na-
tions.

It is impossible for Her Majesty to forego the
exercise of Her right of seizing articles contraband
of war, and of preventing Neutrals from bearing
the enemys Despatches, and she must maintain
the right of a belligerent to prevent Neutrals from
breaking any effective blockade which may be es-
tablished with an adequate force against the Ene-
my's Forts, Harbours, or Coasts.

But Her Majesty will waive the right of seizing
enemy's property laden on board a Neutral Ves-
sel, unless it be contraband of War.

It is not Her Majesty's intention to claim the
band of War found on board Enemy's Ships ;
and Her Majesty further declares, that being
anxious to lessen as much as possible the evils of
war, and to restrict its operations to the regularly
organized forces of the Country, it is not Her pre-
sent intention to issue Letters of Marque for the
commissioning of Privateers.
Westminster, March 28, 1854.

V.

AT THE COURT AT BUCKINGHAM
PALACE,

The 29th of March 1854.

PRESENT,

THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY IN
COUNCIL.

Order in Council granting general Reprisals
against Russia.

29th March, 1854.

Her Majesty having determined to afford active
assistance to Her Ally, His Highness the Sultan of
the Ottoman Empire, for the protection of his
Dominions against the encroachments and un-
provoked aggression of His Imperial Majesty the
Emperor of all the Russias, Her Majesty there-
fore is pleased, by and with the advice of Her
Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered,
that general Reprisals be granted against the Ships,
Vessels, and Goods of the Emperor of all the Rus-
sias, and of his Subjects or others inhabiting with-
in any of his Countries, Territories, or Dominions,
so that Her Majesty's Fleets and Ships shall and
may lawfully seize all Ships, Vessels, and Goods
belonging to the Emperor of all the Russias, or
his Subjects, or others inhabiting within any of
his Countries, Territories, or Dominions, and bring
the same to Judgment in such Courts of Admi-
ralty within Her Majesty's Dominions, Posses-
sions, or Colonies as shall be duly commissionated
to take cognizance thereof. And to that end Her
Majesty's Advocate general, with the Advocate of
Her Majesty in her office of Admiralty, fare forth-
with to prepare the draft, of a commission, and pre-
sent the same to her Majesty at this board, au-
thorizing the Commissioners for executing the
office of Lord High Admiral to will and require
the High Court of Admiralty of England, and
the Lieutenant and Judge of the said Court, his
Surrogate or Surrogates, as also the several Courts
of Admiralty within. Her Majesty's Dominions
which shall be duly commissionated, to take cog-
nizance of, and judicially proceed upon, all and
all manner of Captures, Seizures, Prizes, and re-
prisals of all Ships, Vessels, and Goods that are or
shall be taken, and to hear and determine the same;
and, according to the course of Admiralty and the
Law of Nations, to adjudge and condemn all such
Ships, Vessels, and Goods, as shall belong to the
Emperor of all the Russias, or his Subjects, or to
any others inhabiting within any of his Countries,
Territories, or Dominions; and they are likewise
to prepare and lay before Her Majesty, at this
board, a draft of such Instructions as may be pro-
per to be sent to the said several Courts of Admi-
ralty in Her Majesty's Dominions, Possessions,
and Colonies, for their guidance herein.

From the Court at Buckingham Palace,
this Twenty-ninth day of March,
One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-four.

Cranworth, C.
Granville, P.,
Argyll, C.P.S.
Newcastle.
Breadalbane.
Lansdowne.
Abercorn.
Aberdeen,
Clarendon.
Drumlanrig.
Mulgrave.
J. Russell.
Ernest Bruce.