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object, they could only pursue it by just measures, having regard to the interest, habits, and the protection even of their subjects, the said Plenipotentiaries recognize at the same time that this general declaration could not prejudice the time which each Power in particular might regard as the most convenient definitely to abolish the Slave-Trade; consequently the determination of the time when the trade shall universally cease will be the object of negotiation between the Powers; it being well understood that no means will be neglected to secure and accelerate the end; and that the reciprocal engagement contracted by the present declaration between the Sovereigns who have taken part in it, will not be considered as accomplished, but at the moment when a complete success shall have crowned their united efforts.

"In bringing this declaration to the cognizance of Europe and of all civilized nations on the earth, the said Plenipotentiaries hope to engage all the other Governments, and especially those who, by abolishing the SlaveTrade, have already manifested the same sentiments, to support them by their votes in a cause whose final triumph will be one of the most beautiful monuments of the age which has taken it up, and which shall have gloriously realized the same."

REGULATIONS ON THE FREE NAVIGATION OF RIVERS, 1815.

ARTICLES CONCERNING THE NAVIGATION OF RIVERS WHICH IN THEIR NAVIGABLE COURSE SEPARATE OR TRAVERSE DIFFERENT STATES.

"Art. I. Powers whose States are separated or traversed by the same navigable river bind themselves to regulate by a common accord all that pertains to that navigation. They shall nominate for that purpose Commissioners, who will meet at the latest six months after the end of the Congress, and who will take as their basis of their labours the following principles:

“Art. II. The navigation in all the course of the rivers indicated in the preceding article, from the point whence each becomes navigable to its mouth, shall be entirely free, and shall not, for commercial purposes, be prohibited to any person, provided they conform themselves to the regulations which may be made for its police, in a uniform manner for all, and as favourable to the commerce of all nations as possible.

"Art. III. The system which will be established both for the perception of dues and for the maintenance of the police shall be, as far as can be made, the same for all the course of the river, and will extend, as well as special circumstances may not hinder it, to all the branches and confluents which in their navigable course separate or traverse different States.

“Art. IV. The navigation dues will be fixed in a uniform manner, invariable and independent of the different kind of merchandise transported, so as not to render a detailed examination of the cargo necessary, except in case

The amount of such dues,

of fraud or contravention. which in no case shall exceed those now in existence, shall be determined according to local circumstances, which does not allow the establishment of a general rule on this subject.

"Once the tariff has been regulated, it shall not be increased except by a common arrangement between the bordering States, nor, with the navigation, be burdened with any other duties than those fixed in the regulation.

"Art. V. The offices for the reception of dues, the number of which will be reduced as much as possible, will be fixed by the regulation, and no change will be made to the same except by common accord, unless one of the bordering States wishes to diminish the number of those which belong exclusively to itself.

"Art. VI. Each bordering State will charge itself with the maintenance of the towing-paths which pass by its territory, and with the necessary labour for the same extent in the bed of the river, so that there be no obstacle to the navigation.

"A future regulation will fix the manner in which the bordering States will concur in these labours, in cases where both rivers belong to different Governments.

"Art. VII. No forced stoppage or calling dues will be established. Those which already exist shall not remain, except when the bordering States, without regard to local interest, find them necessary or useful to navigation and commerce in general.

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"Art. VIII. The custom-houses of the bordering States will have nothing to do with the navigation dues. will be taken by special legislation to prevent customhouse officers putting any hinderance to navigation, but care will also be taken by the river police to prevent the

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inhabitants from carrying on any smuggling by the aid of

boats.

"Art. IX. All that is indicated in the preceding articles will be regulated by a common agreement, which will also include whatever else may be necessary. The rules once determined shall not be changed except with the consent of all the bordering States, and they will take care to provide for its execution in the manner most convenient and adapted to circumstances and to the locality."

REGULATIONS ON THE RANK BETWEEN
DIPLOMATIC AGENTS.

SIGNED AT VIENNA, MARCH 19, 1815.

"To prevent the embarrassments which have presented themselves, and which may arise from the pretensions of precedency between the different Diplomatic Agents, the Plenipotentiaries of the Powers signatories of the Treaty of Vienna have agreed on the following articles, and they invite those of other crowned heads to adopt similar regulations:

"Art. I. Diplomatic Agents are divided into three classes

"That of Ambassadors, Legates, or Nuncios.

"That of Envoyés, Ministers, or others accredited with Sovereigns.

“That of Chargés d'Affaires accredited with Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

“Art. II. Ambassadors, Legates, or Nuncios have alone a representative character.

"Art. III. Diplomatists sent on extraordinary missions have not on that account any superiority of rank.

"Art. IV. Diplomatic employés will take rank among themselves in each class from the date of the official notification of their arrival.

"The present regulation will introduce no innovation relative to the representatives of the Pope.

"Art. V. A uniform mode will be settled for each State for the reception of Diplomatic employés of each class.

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Art. VI. Bonds of family or family alliance between the Courts give no rank to their Diplomatic Agents.

“It is the same as regards political alliances.

"Art. VII. In acts or treaties between several Powers which admit the alternative, the ballot will decide among Ministers the order to be followed in the signatories.

"The present regulation is inserted in the protocol of Plenipotentiaries of the eight signatory Powers to the Treaty of Paris on their sitting, March 19, 1815."

Here follow the signatures in alphabetical order.

DECLARATION RESPECTING MARITIME LAW. SIGNED BY THE PLENIPOTENTIARIES OF GREAT BRITAIN, AUSTRIA, FRANCE, PRUSSIA, RUSSIA, SARDINIA, AND TURKEY, ASSEMBLED IN CONGRESS AT PARIS, APRIL, 1856.

"The Plenipotentiaries who signed the Treaty of Paris, March 30, 1856, assembled in conference,

"Considering

"That Maritime Law in time of war has long been the subject of deplorable disputes;

"That the uncertainty of the law and of the duties in

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