VICTORIA R.: IV.-AUSTRIA, FRANCE, AND SARDINIA. (May 13, 1859.) BY THE QUEEN—A PROCLAMATION. Whereas we are happily at peace with all sovereigns, powers, and states: And whereas, notwithstanding our utmost exertions to preserve peace between all the sovereign powers and states now at war, hostilities have unhappily commenced between his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Austria on the one part, and his Majesty the King of Sardinia and his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French on the other part; And whereas a state of war now exists between his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Austria on the one part, and his Majesty the King of Sardinia and his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French on the other part, and between their respective subjects and others inhabiting within their countries, territories, or dominions; And whereas we are on terms of friendship and amicable intercourse with all and each of these sovereigns, and with their several subjects and others inhabiting within their countries, territories, or dominions; And whereas great numbers of our loyal subjects reside and carry on commerce, and possess property and establishments, and enjoy various rights and privileges within the dominions of each of the aforesaid sovereigns, protected by the faith of treaties between us and each of the aforesaid sovereigns; And whereas we, being desirous of preserving to our subjects the blessings of peace, which they now happily enjoy, are firmly purposed and determined to abstain altogether from taking any part, directly or indirectly, in the war now unhappily existing between the said sovereigns, their subjects and territories, and to remain at peace with and to maintain a peaceful and friendly intercourse with all and with each of them, and their respective subjects, and others inhabiting within any of their countries, territories, and dominions, and to maintain a strict and impartial neutrality in the said hostilities and war unhappily existing between them: We therefore have thought fit, by and with the advice of our privy council, to issue this our royal proclamation. And we do hereby strictly charge and command all our loving subjects to govern themselves accordingly, and to observe a strict neutrality in and during the aforesaid hostilities and war, and to abstain from violating or contravening either the laws and statutes of the realm in this behalf, or the law of nations in relation thereto, as they will answer to the contrary at their peril. And whereas in and by a certain statute made and passed in the 59th year of his Majesty King George III, (cap. 69,) entitled "An act to prevent the enlisting or engagement of his Majesty's subjects to serve in a foreign service, and the fitting out or equipping, in his Majesty's dominions, vessels for warlike purposes without his Majesty's license," it is, among other things, declared and enacted as follows: "That if any person within any part of the United Kingdom," &c., (7th clause of the foreign enlistment act :) And it is in and by the said act further enacted, "That if any person in any part of the United Kingdom," &c., (8th clause of the foreign enlistment act :) Now, in order that none of our subjects may unwarily render themselves liable to the penalties imposed by the said statute, we do hereby strictly command that no person or persons whatsoever do commit any act, matter, or thing whatsoever contrary to the provisions of the said statute, upon pain of the several penalties by the said statute imposed, and of our high displeasure. And we do hereby further warn and admonish all our loving subjects, and all persons whatsoever entitled to our protection, to observe toward each and all of the aforesaid sovereigns, their subjects and territories, and toward all belligerents whatsoever with whom we are at peace, the duties of neutrality; and to respect, in all and each of them, the exercise of those belligerent rights which we and our royal predecessors have always claimed to exercise. And we do hereby further warn all our loving subjects, and all persons whatsoever entitled to our protection, that if any of them shall presume, in contempt of this our royal proclamation, and of our high displeasure, to do any acts in derogation of their duty as subjects of a neutral sovereign, in a war between other sovereigns, or in violation or contravention of the law of nations in that behalf, as more especially by breaking, or endeavoring to break, any blockade lawfully and actually established by or on behalf of any or either of the said sovereigns, by carrying officers, soldiers, dispatches, arms, ammunition, military stores or materials, or any article or articles considered and deemed to be contraband of war according to the law or modern usages of nations, for the use or service of any or either of the said sovereigns, that all persons so offending, together with their ships and goods, will rightfully incur, and be justly liable to, hostile capture, and to the penalties denounced by the law of nations in that behalf. And we do hereby give notice, that all our subjects and persons entitled to our protection who may misconduct themselves in the premises will do so at their peril and of their own wrong; and that they will in nowise obtain any protection from us against such capture or such penalties as aforesaid, but will, on the contrary, incur our high displeasure by such misconduct. Given at our court, at Buckingham Palace, this 13th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1859, and in the 22d year of our reign. God save the Queen. VICTORIA R.: V.-UNITED STATES. (May 13, 1861.) BY THE QUEEN—A PROCLAMATION. Whereas we are happily at peace with all sovereigns, powers, and states; And whereas hostilities have unhappily commenced between the government of the United States of America and certain States styling themselves the Confederate States of America; And whereas we, being at peace with the government of the United States, have declared our royal determination to maintain a strict and impartial neutrality in the contest between the said contending parties: We therefore have thought fit, by and with the advice of our privy council, to issue this our royal proclamation; And we do hereby strictly charge and command all our loving subjects to observe a strict neutrality in and during the aforesaid hostilities, and to abstain from violating or contravening either the laws and statutes of the realm in this behalf, or the law of nations in relation thereto, as they will answer to the contrary at their peril. And whereas, in and by a certain statute made and passed in the 59th year of his Majesty King George the III, intituled "An act to prevent the enlisting or engagement of his Majesty's subjects to serve in a foreign service, and the fitting out or equipping, in his Majesty's dominions, vessels for warlike purposes, without his Majesty's license," it is, among other things, declared and enacted as follows: "That if any natural-born subject of his Majesty," &c., (2d clause of the foreign enlistment act:) And it is in and by the said act further enacted, "That if any person within any part of the United Kingdom," &c., (7th clause of the foreign enlistment act :) And it is in and by the said act further enacted, "That if any person in any part of the United Kingdom, &c., (8th clause of the foreign enlistment act:) Now, in order that none of our subjects may unwarily render themselves liable to the penalties imposed by the said statute, we do hereby strictly command that no person or persons whatsoever do commit any act, matter, or thing whatsoever contrary to the provisions of the said statute, upon pain of the several penalties by the said statute imposed, and of our high displeasure. And we do hereby further warn all our loving subjects, and all persons whatsoever entitled to our protection, that if any of them shall presume, in contempt of this our royal proclamation, and of our high displeasure, to do any acts in derogation of their duty as subjects of a neutral sovereign in the said contest, or in violation or contravention of the law of nations in that behalf; as for example, and more especially, by entering into the military service of either of the said contending parties as commissioned or non-commissioned officers or soldiers; or by serving as officers, sailors, or marines, on board any ship or vessel of war or transport of or in the service of either of the said contending parties; or by serving as officers, sailors, or marines on board any privateer bearing letters of marque of or from either of the said contending parties; or by engaging to go or going to any place beyond the seas with intent to enlist or engage in any such service, or by procuring or attempting to procure within her Majesty's dominions, at home or abroad, others to do so; or by fitting out, arming, or equipping any ship or vessel to be employed as a ship of war, or privateer, or transport, by either of the said contending parties; or by breaking or endeavoring to break any blockade lawfully and actually established by or on behalf of either of the said contending parties; or by carrying officers, soldiers, dispatches, arms, military stores or materials, or any article or articles considered and deemed to be contraband of war according to the law or modern usage of nations, for the use or service of either of the said contending parties, all persons so offending will incur and be liable to the several penalties and penal consequences by the said statute, or by the law of nations in that behalf imposed or denounced. And we do hereby declare, that all our subjects and persons entitled to our protection who may misconduct themselves in the premises will do so at their peril and of their own wrong, and that they will in nowise obtain any protection from us against any liabilities or penal consequences, but will, on the contrary, incur our high displeasure by such misconduct. Given at our court at the White Lodge, Richmond Park, this 13th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1861, and in the 24th year of our reign. God save the Queen. VICTORIA: VI.-SPAIN AND CHILI. (6th February, 1866.) BY THE QUEEN—A PROCLAMATION. Whereas we are happily at peace with all sovereigns, powers, and states; and whereas hostilities have unhappily commenced between the government of Spain and the government of the republic of Chili; and whereas we, being at peace with both the said governments, have declared our royal determination to maintain a strict and impartial neutrality in the contest between the said contending parties; We therefore have thought fit, by and with the advice of our privy council, to issue this our royal proclamation. And we do hereby strictly charge and command all our loving subjects to observe a strict neutrality in and during the aforesaid hostilities, and to abstain from violating or contravening either the laws and statutes of the realin in this behalf, or the law of nations in relation thereto, as they will answer to the contrary at their peril. And whereas, in and by a certain statute made and passed in the 59th year of his Majesty King George the III, intituled "An act to prevent the enlisting or engagement of his Majesty's subjects to serve in a foreign service, and the fitting out or equipping, in his Majesty's dominions, vessels for warlike purposes, without his Majesty's license," it is, among other things, declared and enacted as follows: "That if any natural-born subject of his Majesty," &c., (2d clause of the foreign enlistment act.) And it is in and by the said act further enacted "That if any person within any part of the United Kingdom," &c., (7th clause of the foreign enlistment act.) And it is in and by the said act further enacted "That if any person in any part of the United Kingdom," &c., (8th clause of the foreign enlistment act.) Now, in order that none of our subjects may unwarily render themselves liable to the penalties imposed by the said statute, we do hereby strictly command that no person or persons whatsoever do commit any act, matter, or thing whatsoever, contrary to the provisions of the said statute, upon pain of the several penalties by the said statute imposed, and of our high displeasure. And we do hereby further warn all our loving subjects, and all persons whatsoever entitled to our protection, that if any of them shall presume, in contempt of this our royal proclamation, and of our high displeasure, to do any acts in derogation of their duty as subjects of a neutral sovereign, in said contest, or in violation or contravention of the law of nations in that behalf, as for example and more especially, by entering into the military service of either of the said contending parties as commissioned or non-commissioned officers or soldiers; or by serving as officers, sailors, or marines, on board any ship or vessel of war or transport of or in the service of either of the said contending parties, or by serving as officers, sailors, or marines, on board any privateers bearing letters of marque of or from either of the said contending parties; or by engaging to go or going to any place beyond the seas with intent to enlist or engage in any such service; or by procuring or attempting to procure, within her Majesty's dominions, at home or abroad, others to do so; or by fitting out, arming, or equipping any ship or vessel to be employed as a ship of war, or privateer, or transport, by either of the said contending parties; or by breaking or endeavoring to break any blockade lawfully and actually established by or on behalf of either of the said contending parties; or by carrying officers, soldiers, dispatches, arms, military stores, or materials, or any article or articles considered and deemed to be contraband of war according to the law or modern usage of nations, for the use or service of either of the said contending parties, all persons so offending will incur and be liable to the several penalties and penal consequences by the said statute, or by the law of nations in that behalf imposed or denounced. And we do hereby declare that all our subjects, and persons entitled to our protection, who may misconduct themselves in the premises, will do so at their peril, and of their own wrong; and that they will in nowise obtain any protection from us against any liabilities or penal consequences, but will, on the contrary, incur our high displeasure by such misconduct. Given at our court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, this 3d day of February, in the year of our Lord 1866, and in the 29th year of our reign. God save the Queen. VII. SPAIN AND PERU. (13th March, 1866.) The same as the preceding, (Spain and Chili,) mutatis mutandis. VICTORIA R.: VII.-AUSTRIA, PRUSSIA, ITALY, GERMANY. BY THE QUEEN-A PROCLAMATION Whereas we are happily at peace with all sovereigns, powers, and states; And whereas, notwithstanding our utmost exertions to preserve peace between all the sovereign powers and states now at war, hostilities have unhappily commenced between his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Austria, his Majesty the King of Prussia, his Majesty the King of Italy, and the Germanic Confederation; And whereas a state of war now exists between his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Austria, his Majesty the King of Prussia, his Majesty the King of Italy, and the Germanic Confederation, and between their respective subjects and others inhabiting within their countries, territories, or dominions; And whereas great numbers of our loyal subjects reside and carry on commerce, and possess property and establishments, and enjoy various rights and privileges, within the dominions of each of the aforesaid sovereigns and states, protected by the faith of treaties between us and each of the aforesaid sovereigns and states; And whereas we, being desirous of preserving to our subjects the blessings of peace, which they now happily enjoy, are firmly purposed and determined to abstain altogether from taking any part, directly or indirectly, in the war now unhappily existing between the said sovereigns and states, their subjects and territories, and to remain at peace with and to maintain a peaceful and friendly intercourse with all and with each of them, and their respective subjects and others inhabiting within any of their countries, territories, and dominions, and to maintain a strict and impartial neutrality in the said hostilities and war unhappily existing between them; We therefore have thought fit, by and with the advice of our privy council, to issue this our royal proclamation: And we do hereby strictly charge and command all our loving subjects to govern themselves accordingly, and to observe a strict neutrality in and during the aforesaid hostilities and war, and to abstain from violating or contravening either the laws and statutes of the realm in this behalf, or the law of nations in relation thereto, as they will answer to the contrary at their peril. And whereas, in and by a certain statute made and passed in the fifty-ninth year of his Majesty King George the Third, entitled "An act to prevent the enlisting or engagement of his Majesty's subjects to serve in a foreign service, and the fitting out or equipping, in his Majesty's dominions, vessels for warlike purposes, without his Majesty's license," it is among other things declared and enacted as follows: "That if any person within any part of the United Kingdom," &c., (7th clause of the foreign enlistment act.) And it is in and by the said act further enacted, "That if any person in any part of the United Kingdom," &c., (8th clause of the foreign enlistment act.) Now, in order that none of our subjects may unwarily render themselves liable to the penalties imposed by the said statute, we do hereby strictly command that no person or persons whatsoever do commit any act, matter, or thing whatsoever contrary to the provisions of the said statute, upon pain of the several penalties by the said statute imposed, and of our high displeasure. And we do hereby further warn and admonish all our loving subjects, and all persons whatsoever entitled to our protection, to observe toward each and all of the aforesaid sovereigns and states, their subjects and territories, and toward all belligerents whatsoever with whom we are at peace, the duties of neutrality; and to respect in all and each of them the exercise of those belligerent rights which we and our loyal predecessors have always claimed to exercise. And we do hereby further warn all our loving subjects, and all persons whatsoever entitled to our protection, that if any of them shall presume, in contempt of this our royal proclamation and of our high displeasure, to do any acts in derogation of their duty as subjects of a neutral sovereign in a war between other sovereigns and states, or in violation or contravention of the law of nations in that behalf, as more especially by breaking or endeavoring to break any blockade lawfully and actually established by or on behalf of any or either of the said sovereigns and states, by carrying officers, soldiers, dispatches, arms, ammunition, military stores or materials, or any article or articles considered and deemed to be contraband of war according to the law or modern usages of nations, for the use or service of any or either of the said sovereigns and states, that all persons so offending, together with their ships and goods, will rightfully incur and be justly liable to hostile capture, and to the penalties denounced by the law 'of nations in that behalf. And we do hereby give notice that all our subjects and persons entitled to our protection who may misconduct themselves in the premises will do so at their peril and of their own wrong; and that they will in no wise obtain any protection from us against such capture, or such penalties as aforesaid, but will, on the contrary, incur our high displeasure by such misconduct. Given at our court at Windsor, this 27th day of June, in the year of our Lord 1866, and in the 30th year of our reign. God save the Queen. APPENDIX No. VI. REGULATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS PUBLISHED BY HER MAJESTY'S GOV- MY LORDS: Her Majesty's government are, as you are aware, desirous of observing the strictest neutrality in the contest which appears to be imminent between the United States and the so-styled Confederate States of North America; and with the view more effectually to carry out this principle they propose to interdict the armed ships, and also the privateers, of both parties, from carrying prizes made by them into the ports, harbors, roadsteads, or waters of the United Kingdom, or of any of her Majesty's colonies or possessions abroad. I have accordingly to acquaint your lordships that the Queen has been pleased to direct that orders in conformity with the principles above stated should forthwith be addressed to all proper authorities in the United Kingdom, and to her Majesty's naval and other authorities in all quarters beyond the United Kingdom, for their guidance in the circumstances. NOTE.-A similar letter was addressed, on the same day, to each of the secretaries of state for India, war, and the colonies. [Extract from the London Gazette of the 15th December, 1863.] LETTER FROM EARL RUSSELL TO THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY, AND DISPATCHED FROM THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE BAHAMAS. FOREIGN OFFICE, January 31, 1862. MY LORDS: Her Majesty, being fully determined to observe the duties of neutrality during the existing hostilities between the United States and the States calling themselves the "Confederate States of America," and being, moreover, resolved to prevent, as far as possible, the use of her Majesty's harbors, ports, and coasts, and the waters within her Majesty's territorial jurisdiction, in aid of the warlike purposes of either belligerent, has commanded me to communicate to your lordships, for your guidance, the following rules, which are to be treated and enforced as her Majesty's orders and directions. Her Majesty is pleased further to command that these rules shall be put in force in the United Kingdom and in the Channel Islands on and after Thursday, the 6th day of February next, and in her Majesty's territories and possessions beyond the seas six days after the day when the governor or other chief authority of each of such territories or possessions respectively shall have notified and published the same, stating in such notification that the said rules are to be obeyed by all persons within the same territories and possessions. I. During the continuance of the present hostilities between the government of the United States of North America and the States calling themselves "the Confederate States of America," or until her Majesty shall otherwise order, no ship of war or privateer belonging to either of the belligerents shall be permitted to enter or remain in the port of Nassau, or in any other port, roadstead, or waters of the Bahama Islands, except by special leave of the lieutenant governor of the Bahama Islands, or in case of stress of weather. If any such vessel should enter any such port, roadstead, or waters by special leave, or under stress of weather, the authorities of the place shall require her |