COLLECTION

OF

TREATIES

BETWEEN

GREAT BRITAIN

AND

OTHER POWER S.

BY GEORGE CHALMERS, ESQ.

VOL, I.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR JOHN STOCKDALE, PICCADILLY,

M DCC XC.

THE

PREFACE.

T is always happy when private amufement can be made fubfervient to general convenience. Having enjoyed a pleasure in collecting the Treaties between Great Britain and other nations, in adjufting their dates, and in comparing their provifions, I prefumed to think that, were I to publifh the refult of my enquiries, ftatefmen, whofe duty leads them to confult national conventions, might find an utility where I had difcovered the gratifications of refearch and acquifi

tion.

Without the correspondence of Du Mont, the learning of Barbeyrac, or the zeal of Rouffet, it had been eafy to print a voluminous collection of treaties. My object, however, was not to make a big book, but an ufeful book; a commodious felection, which might lie handily on the table, and be readily infpected. With this defign, I have printed, in the following fheets, thofe treaties which are most frequently perused: I have referred to thofe treaties which are often confulted.

The collections of national conventions, which were publifhed at fucceffive periods, and in different countries, have not been always conveniently arranged, or accurately printed, at the fame time that they were univerfally allowed to be ufeful. They generally followed, indeed, a chronological order. But, from the

A 2

vaft

vast mass of difcordant matter, it was often a difficult tafk to collect the treaties which belonged to any particular nation, or to adjust the ftipulations which related to any fpecified fubject,

In the following collection, I have preferved a chronological order, while I have brought together the treaties which at various times have been formed with each different nation. Without any strong motive of choice, I began with Ruffia, in the north; I regularly proceeded to the fouth of Europe; 1 diverged afterwards to Africa and Afia; and ended finally in America. I flatter myfelf this arrangement will be found commodious. To the treaties, which belong to each particular country, and which form a distinct head, I have prefixed a chronological index of prior treaties, for the purpofe of tracing a principle of connexion, and fhewing where thofe preceding conventions may be found. The usefulness of this prefatory index will be acknowledged by thofe, who having been engaged in much study, or in much business, have felt the happinefs of knowing where to lay one's hand on the thing that the preffure of the moment required. But, the brevity which I prescribed to myself, did not allow me to fwell this prefatory index with the mention of every agreement, either for the hire of troops, or the performance of temporary ftipulations. I was directed by my notions of utility, either in publishing fome treaties, or in not mentioning others. The public, whofe convenience I have endeavoured to promote, and to whofe opinion I refpectfully fubmit, will ultimately determine whether, in making this felection, I have been directed by judgment, or by caprice.

The first treaty which was ever published in this nation, by authority, was the treaty with Spain, in 1604, which was conducted by Sir Robert Cecil, the firft Lord Salisbury, with fuch wonderful talents and addrefs. No treaty was printed, without authority, during any preceding period. It had been extremely dangerous for pri

vate perfons, in the reign of King James, in the former, or in the fubfequent reign, to have published treaties with foreign Powers; becaufe to have done this had been confidered as meddling with matters of ftate, and punished as an infringement of prerogative. The treaties of Charles I. were publifhed by authority. Cromwell made many treaties, because he was anxious, like John IV, of Portugal, to procure the recognition of other Powers: but, I doubt, whether he lived to publifh them. The reign of Charles II. was fruitful in treaties, which were printed by authority, often fingly, and fometimes collectively. The four treaties of Breda were published by the King's fpecial command, in 1667. A collection, comprehending feventeen treaties, beginning with the Commercial Treaty with Spain, in 1667, and ending with the Algeriné treaty in 1682, was printed by direction of Lord Sunderland, the fecretary of ftate, in March 168 t. Such had been the smallness of this impreffion, or fuch the demand for it, that this ufeful code was reprinted in 1686. The falutary practice of publishing by authority what was fo neceffary to be known, which had been begun by King James, was continued by King William, and by his royal fucceffors.

It was however in King William's councils, that it was firft determined to print authoritatively the PUBLIC CONVENTIONS of Great Britain with other Powers ‡. It was owing to that determination, that the reign of Queen Anne faw the publication of RYMER'S FOEDERA.

By the affigns of J. Bill and C. Barker, the King's printers, 4to, 80 pages.

By the affigns of J. Bill, and H. Hills, and T. Newcomb, the King's printers. London, 1685, 4to, 269 pages.

The warrant, empowering Thomas Rymer to fearch the public repofitories for this great defign, was dated on the 26th of Auguft 1693. This warrant was renewed on the 3d of May 1707, when Robert Sanderson was appointed his affiftant. And, on the 15th of February 1717, Sanderfon was continued the fingle conductor of this laborious undertaking.