(Inclosure 2.)-M. Guizot to the Count de Jarnac.

M. le Comte,

Paris, le 2 Septembre, 1844. EN exprimant au Gouvernement de Sa Majesté Britannique son regret et son improbation de certaines circonstances qui ont précédé le renvoi de Mr. Pritchard d'Ile de Taïti, le Gouvernement du Roi s'est montré disposé à accorder à Mr. Pritchard, à raison des dommages et des souffrances que ces circonstances ont pu lui faire éprouver, une équitable indemnité. Nous n'avons point ici les moyens d'apprécier quel doit être le montant de cette indemnité, et nous ne saurions nous en rapporter aux seules assertions de Mr. Pritchard lui-même. Il nous parait donc convenable de remettre cette appréciation aux 2 Commandants des stations Française et Anglaise dans l'Océan Pacifique, M. le Contre-Amiral Hamelin et M. l'Amiral Seymour. Je vous invite à faire, de notre part, cette proposition au Gouvernement de Sa Majesté Britannique, et à me rendre compte immédiatement de sa réponse. Recevez, &c.,

Le Comte de Jarnac.

GUIZOT.

No. 2.-Lord Cowley to the Earl of Aberdeen.-(Rec. September 16.)

My Lord,

Paris, September 12, 1844.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch, under date the 6th instant, together with the copies of 2 instructions addressed by M. Guizot to the Count de Jarnac, relative to the proceedings at Tahiti, in regard to Mr. Pritchard.

I have communicated that despatch to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who signified his full participation in the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Government with the result of the discussions which have taken place upon that affair.

M. Guizot dwelt particularly upon that passage of your Lordship's despatch in which you express your conviction that the good understanding between the 2 Governments, which both are so desirous of maintaining unimpaired, can never be interrupted by occurrences of this description, "if viewed dispassionately, and treated in a spirit of justice and moderation;" and he requested me to assure you of his most cordial concurrence in your Lordship's sentiments as expressed in that passage.

Finally, he requested to have a copy of the despatch, which, agreeably to your Lordship's instructions, I placed in his hands. I have, &c., The Earl of Aberdeen, K.T.

COWLEY.

DECREE of the Emperor of the French, relaxing in favour of British Trade, the restrictions of the Treaty of Navigation of 1826. Paris, le 10 Mai, 1854.

Sire,

Rapport à l'Empereur.

Paris, le 10 Mai, 1854. Le Traité de Navigation conclu entre la France et l'Angleterre le 26 Janvier, 1826,* a pour base une entière réciprocité. Afin d'assurer l'exécution de ce Traité, une Ordonnance rendue le 8 Février de la même annéef a prohibé d'une manière absolue l'importation en France, pour la consommation, des marchandises originaires d'Asie, d'Afrique, et d'Amérique, chargées dans les entrepôts Anglais. La même Ordonnance a défendu l'importation sous pavillon Anglais des produits Européens chargés ailleurs que dans les ports du Royaume Uni ou de ses possessions en Europe. Ces mesures restrictives n'avaient été introduites dans notre régime douanier que par réciprocité des mesures analogues qui, en vertu de l'Acte de Navigation de 1666, figuraient dans le Code Maritime de l'Angleterre.

Depuis qu'elles existent, ces restrictions ont été l'objet de vives réclamations de la part du commerce et l'industrie.

A plusieurs époques, le Gouvernement s'est départi de la rigueur des dispositions de l'Ordonnance de 1826: ainsi une Ordonnance du 8 Juillet, 1834, a levé la prohibition qui frappait à leur importation d'Angleterre les soies gréges, les foulards écrus, les cachemires de l'Inde, les rhums et tafias.

Tout récemment, à la suite de l'enquête sur la situation de la filature des cotons, votre Majesté vivement préoccupé des moyens de donner à cette industrie de plus grandes facilités, a rendu, le 30 Décembre dernier, un Décret qui a fait disparaître, à l'égard de cette matière textile, les restrictions inscrites dans l'Ordonnance de 1826. En même temps votre Majesté m'a ordonné d'examiner s'il ne conviendrait pas d'abroger complètement cette prohibition.

L'examen auquel je me suis livré, de concert avec les Départements des Affaires Etrangères et des Finances, m'a convaincu, Sire, qu'aucun intérêt n'exigeait plus le maintien de dispositions qui ont perdu tout caractère d'utilité. En conséquence, j'ai l'honneur de proposer à votre Majesté de vouloir bien approuver le Décret ci-joint, qui a pour objet de replacer dans le droit commun nos relations maritimes et commerciales avec l'Angleterre.

Le commerce et l'industrie applaudiront, Sire, à une mesure qui témoigne une fois de plus de l'intérêt que porte votre Majesté à tout ce qui peut contribuer à la prospérité du pays.

Je suis, &c.,

Le Ministre Secrétaire d'Etat au Département de l'Agriculture, du Commerce, et des Travaux Publics,

P. MAGNE.

* See Vol. 3, Page 123.

† See Vol. 3, Page 134.

ANNEXE.-Décret du 10 Mai, 1854.

Napoléon, par la grâce de Dieu et la volonté nationale, Empereur des Français. A tous présents et à venir, salut :

Sur le rapport de notre Ministre Secrétaire d'Etat au Département de l'Agriculture, du Commerce, et des Travaux Publics. Vu le Traité de Navigation conclu, le 26 Janvier, 1826, entre la France et l'Angleterre ;

Vu l'Ordonnance du 8 Février, 1826, rendue pour l'exécution du dit Traité;

Avons décrété et décrétons ce qui suit:

ART. I. Sont et demeurent abrogées les dispositions contenues en l'Article III. de l'Ordonnance du 8 Février, 1826.

II. Nos Ministres Secrétaires d'Etat au Département de l'Agriculture, du Commerce, et des Travaux Publics, et au Département des Finances, sont chargés, chacun en ce qui le concerne, de l'exécution du présent Décret.

Fait au Palais des Tuileries, le 10 Mai, 1854. Par l'Empereur, P. MAGNE.

NAPOLEON.

TREASURY WARRANT, fixing the Rates of Postage on Letters transmitted to and from certain French, Dutch, and British Colonies in the West Indies, and between those Colonies and Foreign Countries. June 1, 1858.

WHEREAS by an Act passed in the 4th year of the reign of Her present Majesty, intituled "An Act for the regulation of the duties of postage," power is given to the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, from time to time, by Warrant, under their hands, to alter and fix any of the rates of British or inland postage, payable by law on the transmission by the post of Foreign or Colonial letters or newspapers, or any other printed papers, and to subject the same to rates of postage according to the weight thereof, and a scale of weight to be contained in such Warrant, and, from time to time, by Warrant as aforesaid, to alter or repeal any such altered rates, and to make and establish any new or other rates in lieu thereof. And whereas it is expedient that regulations should be made for the transmission by the post of the letters hereinafter mentioned.

Now we, the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, in exercise of the power or authority in us for such purpose vested in and by the said Act, and of all other powers enabling us in this behalf, do, by this Warrant (under the hands of 2 of us the said Commissioners, by the authority of the statute in that case made and provided), order and direct that on every letter not exceeding

an ounce in weight, transmitted by the post between any place in the United Kingdom and the islands of Martinique, Guadaloupe

and Curaçoa respectively (direct or through any Foreign country), there shall be charged and taken in lieu of any rates of British postage now payable by law on such letters, an uniform British rate of 6 pence.

And we direct that on every letter not exceeding an ounce in weight transmitted by the post between the said islands of Martinique, Guadaloupe, and Curagoa, or any of them, and any of Her Majesty's Colonies, or any Foreign country through the United Kingdom (whether through any Colony or Foreign country or not), there shall be charged and taken in lieu of any rates of British postage now payable by law on such letters, the rates of British postage following (that is to say),

For the conveyance of every such letter between the islands of Martinique, Guadaloupe, and Curaçoa, or any of them and any part of the United Kingdom, a rate of 6 pence; and for the conveyance of every such letter between the port in the United Kingdom of the departure or arrival of the packet or ship conveying the same, and the Colony or Foreign country to or from which the same shall be forwarded, such a further or additional rate of postage, as shall from time to time be charged and payable for British postage on letters posted or delivered at the port in the United Kingdom, of the departure or arrival of the packet or ship conveying the same and transmitted direct between such port and any such Colony or Foreign country.

And we direct that on every letter transmitted as is mentioned in this Warrant, exceeding an ounce in weight, there shall be charged, taken, and paid, progressive and additional rates of postage as follows, that is to say:

On every such letter exceeding an ounce in weight, and not exceeding 1 ounce in weight, 2 rates of postage.

On every such letter exceeding 1 ounce and not exceeding 2 ounces in weight, 4 rates of postage.

On every such letter exceeding 2 ounces and not exceeding 3 ounces in weight, 6 rates of postage.

And on every such letter exceeding 3 ounces and not exceeding 4 ounces in weight, 8 rates of postage.

And for every ounce in weight above the weight of 4 ounces, there shall be charged and taken 2 additional rates of postage; and every fraction of an ounce above the weight of 4 ounces, shall be charged as 1 additional ounce, and each progressive and additional rate, chargeable under this clause, shall be estimated and charged at the sum which any such letter would be charged with under this Warrant, if not exceeding an ounce in weight.

And we direct that in all cases in which any letter in respect of which any rate of postage is chargeable by this Warrant shall pass through a Foreign country, any Foreign postage payable thereon shall be charged and paid thereon in addition to the British postage.

And we further direct that nothing in this Warrant contained shall in anywise prejudice or affect the privilege granted by the said recited Act, in favour of petitions and addresses forwarded to Her Majesty by the post, nor the privilege granted by the same Act to members of each House of Parliament to receive by the post petitions and addresses to Her Majesty and petitions addressed to either House of Parliament, not exceeding 32 ounces in weight exempt from postage; nor shall anything in this Warrant contained in anywise prejudice or affect the privilege which seamen and soldiers employed in Her Majesty's Service, and seamen and soldiers employed in the service of the East India Company, now by law enjoy of sending and receiving by the post letters not exceeding an ounce in weight, subject to the regulations and restrictions in respect of the same.

And we further direct that nothing in this Warrant contained shall be deemed and construed to extend to any letters or packets posted in or addressed to France, or any Foreign country through France, and transmitted between France or Foreign countries through France, and the islands of Martinique, Guadaloupe, and Curaçoa, or either of them, all of which last-mentioned letters and packets shall be charged and chargeable with the same rates of postage as if this Warrant had not been signed.

And we further direct that the term "by the post," used in this Warrant, shall, as to the sea conveyance, include the conveyance by any British packet-boat, and the said term shall also include the sea conveyance by any private ship.

And we further direct that this Warrant shall come into operation on the 1st day of July, 1858.

Provided lastly, and we hereby declare and direct, that it shall be lawful for the Commissioners for the time being of Her Majesty's Treasury, by Warrant duly made at any time hereafter, to alter or repeal any of the rates hereby altered or the regulations hereby made, and to make and establish any new or other rates or regulations in lieu thereof, and from time to time to appoint at what time the rates that may be payable are to be paid.

Whitehall, Treasury Chambers, the 1st day of June, 1858. HENRY WHITMORE. HOWARD TAYLOR.

RAPPORT à l'Empereur des Francais, sur la publication des Notes Officielles, par lesquelles la plupart des Etats non représentés au Congrès de Paris ont constaté leur adhésion à la Déclaration du 16 Avril, 1856, qui règle divers points du Droit Maritime. Paris le 12 Juin, 1858.

VOTRE Majesté daignera se rappeler que les Puissances signataires de la Déclaration du 16 Avril, 1856, s'étaient engagées à

* See Vol. 10, Page 547.

*