The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 06
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 06
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
"And her said Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, having proposed to
us, to this effect, to manifest by a formal act of accession, not only
our full adhesion to these same principles, but also our immediate
concurrence in the measures to assure the execution of them, that we
would adopt on our part, by contracting reciprocally with her said
Majesty, the engagements and stipulations, following, viz.
"I. That on one part and on the other, we will continue to observe the
most exact neutrality, and will carry into the most rigorous execution
the prohibitions declared against the commerce of contraband of their
respective subjects, with any of the powers already at war, or which
may enter into the war in the sequel;
"II. That if, in spite of all the cares employed to this effect, the
merchant vessels of one of the two powers should be taken, or
insulted, by any vessels whatsoever of the belligerent powers, the
complaints of the injured power shall be supported in the most
efficacious manner by the other; and that, if they refuse to render
justice upon these complaints, they shall concert immediately upon the
most proper manner of procuring it by just reprisals;
"III. That if it should happen, that one or the other of the two
powers, or both together, on occasion, or in resentment of this
present agreement, should be disturbed, molested, or attacked, in such
case they shall make common cause between themselves for their mutual
defence, and labor in concert to procure themselves a full and entire
satisfaction, both for the insult offered to their flag, and for the
losses caused to their subjects;
"IV. That these stipulations shall be considered on one part, and on
the other, as permanent, and as making a rule, whenever it shall come
in question to determine the rights of neutrality;
"V. That the two powers shall communicate amicably their present
mutual concert to all the powers who are actually at war.
"We, willing, by an effect of the sincere friendship, which happily
unites us to her Majesty, the Empress of all the Russias, as well as
for the well-being of Europe in general, and of our countries and
subjects in particular, to contribute on our part to the execution of
views, of principles, and measures, as salutary as they are
conformable to the most evident notions of the law of nations, have
resolved to accede to them, as we do formally accede to them, in
virtue of the present act, promising and engaging solemnly, as her
Imperial Majesty of all the Russias engages herself to us, to observe,
execute, and warrant all the foregoing points and stipulations. In
faith of which, we have signed these presents with our own hand, and
have hereto affixed our seal.
"Given at Vienna, the 9th of October, 1781.
JOSEPH."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account