Grande Bretagne une juste indemnité, pour toutes les propriétés particuliéres que les forces Britanniques auroient emportées, et comme il s'agit plus spécialement d'esclaves, pour tous les esclaves que les forces Britanniques auroient emmenés des lieux et territoires dont le traité stipule la restitution, en quittant ces mêmes lieux et territoires. "Que les Etats-Unis sont en droit de regarder comme emmenés, tous ceux de ces esclaves qui, des territoires indiqués ci-dessus, auroient été transportés à bord de vaisseaux Britanniques mouillés dans les eaux des dits territoires, et qui par ce motif n'auroient pas été restitués. "Mais que s'il y a des esclaves Américains emmenés de territoires dont l'article 1 du traité de Gand n'a pas stipulé la restitution aux EtatsUnis, les Etats-Unis ne sont pas en droit de réclamer une indemnité, pour les dits esclaves." L'Empereur déclare en outre, qu'il est prêt à exercer l'office de Médiateur qui Lui a été déféré d'avance, par les deux Etats, dans les négociations que doit amener entre eux, la décision arbitrale qu'ils ont demandée. Fait à St. Pétersbourg, le 22 Avril, 1822. B. Le Soussigné, Secrétaire d'Etat dirigeant le Ministère Impérial des affaires étrangères, s'est empressé de porter à la connoissance de l'Empereur son maître, les explications dans lesquelles Mr. l'Ambassadeur de S. M. Britannique est entré avec le Ministère Impérial, à la suite de la communication préalable et confidentielle qui a été faite à Monsieur de Middleton ainsi qu'à Mr. le Chevalier Bagot de l'opinion exprimée par l'Empereur, sur le vrai sens de l'art. 1er du Traité de Gand. Mr. le Chevalier Bagot entend qu'en vertu de la décision de Sa Majesté Impériale, "S. M. Britannique n'est pas tenue à indemniser les Etats Unis d'aucuns esclaves qui, venant des endroits qui n'ont jamais été occupés par ses troupes, se sont volontairement réunis aux forces Britanniques, ou en conséquence de l'encouragement que les officiers de S. M. leur avoit offert, ou se dérober au pouvoir de leur maître, ces esclaves n'ayant pas été emmenés des lieux ou territoires pris par S. M. Britannique durant le guerre, et conséquemment n'ayant pas été emmenés des lieux dont l'article stipule la restitution." En réponse à cette observation, le soussigné est chargé par Sa Majesté Impériale, de communiquer ce qui suit à Monsieur le ministre des Etats Unis d'Amérique. L'Empereur ayant, du consentement mutuel des deux plénipotentiaires, émis une opinion fondée uniquement sur le sens qui résulte du texte de l'article en litige, ne se croit appelé à décider ici aucune question relative à ce que les loix de la guerre permettent ou défendent aux parties belligérantes, mais toujours fidèle à l'interprétation grammaticale de l'art. 1er du traité de Gand, Sa Majesté Impériale déclare une seconde fois qu'il lui semble, d'après cette interprétation. "Qu'en quittant les lieux et territoires dont le traité de Gand stipule la restitution aux Etats Unis, les forces de S. M. Britannique n'avoient e droit d'emmener de ces mêmes lieux et territoires, absolument aucun esclave, par quelque moyen qu'il fût tombé ou venu se remettre en leur Louvoir, "But that if, during the war, American slaves had been carried away by the English forces, from other places than those of which the Treaty of Ghent stipulates the restitution, upon the territory, or on board British vessels, Great Britain should not be bound to indemnify the United States for the loss of these slaves, by whatever means they might have fallen or come into the power of her officers." Although convinced, by the previous explanations above mentioned, that such is also the sense which Sir Charles Bagot attaches to his observation, the undersigned has nevertheless received from His Imperial Majesty orders to address the present note to the respective Plenipotentiaries, which will prove to them, that, in order the better to justify the confidence of the two Governments, the Emperor has been unwilling that the slightest doubt should arise regarding the consequences of his opinion. The undersigned eagerly embraces this occasion of repeating to Mr. Middleton the assurance of his most distinguished consideration. NESSELRODE. St. Petersburg, 22d April, 1822. "Mais que si, durant la guerre, des esclaves Américains avoient été emmenés par les forces Angloises, d'autres lieux que ceux dont le traité de Gand stipule la restitution, sur territoire ou à bord de vaisseaux Britanniques, la Grande Bretagne ne seroit pas tenue d'indemniser les Etats Unis de la perte de ces esclaves, par quelque moyen qu'ils fussent tombés ou venus se remettre au pouvoir de ses officiers." Quoique convaincu, par les explications préalables dont il a été question plus haut, que tel est aussi le sens que Mr. le Chevalier Bagot attache à son observation, le soussigné n'en a pas moins reçu de Sa Majesté Impériale, l'ordre d'addresser aux plénipotentiaires respectifs, la présente note, qui leur prouvera, que pour mieux répondre à la confiance des deux gouvernemens, l'Empereur n'a pas voulu qu'il pût s'élever le plus leger doute sur les conséquences de son opinion. Le Soussigné saisit avec empressement cette occasion de réitérer à Monsieur de Middleton, l'assurance de sa considération très distinguée. NESSELRODE St. Petersbourg, le 22. Avril, 1822. À MONSIEUR DE MIDDLETON, &c. &c. ALTERED ARTICLES Feb. 24, 1824. Of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States and the Bashan Bey of Tunis.(a) Ratified by the U. S. Senate. Jan. 13, 1825. Proclamation of the President of the United States, Jan. 21, 1825. Regulation of visits at sea. IF a Tunisian corsair shall meet with an American vessel, and shall visit it with her boat, two men only shall be allowed to go on board, peaceably, to satisfy themselves of its being American, who, as well as any passengers of other nations they may have on board, shall go free, both them and their goods; and the said two men shall not exact any thing, on pain of being severely punished. In case a slave escapes, and takes refuge on board an American vessel of war, he shall be free, and no demand shall be made either for his restoration or for payment. ARTICLE the 11th-As it now is. When a vessel of war of the United States shall enter the port of the Gouletta, she shall be saluted with twenty-one guns, which salute the vessel of war shall return gun for gun only, and no powder will be given, as mentioned in the ancient eleventh article of this treaty, which is hereby annulled. ARTICLE 6th-As it was. If a Tunisian corsair shall meet with an American merchant vessel, and shall visit it with her boat, she shall not exact any thing, under pain of being severely punished. And, in like manner, if a vessel of war of the United States shall meet with a Tunisian merchant vessel, she shall observe the same rule. In case a slave shall take refuge on board of an American vessel of war, the consul shall be required to cause him to be restored; and if any of their prisoners shall escape on board of the Tunisian vessels, they shall be restored; but if any slave shall take refuge in any American merchant vessel, and it shall be proved that the vessel has departed with the said slave, then he shall be returned, or his ransom shall be paid. ARTICLE 11th-As it was. When a vessel of war of the United States of America shall enter the port of Tunis, and the Consul shall request that the Castle may salute her, the number of guns shall be fired which he may request; and if the said Consul does not want a salute, there shall be no question about it. But, in case he shall desire the salute, and the number of guns shall be fired which he may have requested, they shall be counted, and returned by the vessel in as many barrels of cannon powder. The same shall be done with respect to the Tunisian Corsairs, when they shall enter any port of the United States. (a) See notes of the treaties between the United States and Tunis, ante, page 157. ARTICLE the 12th-As it now is. When citizens of the United States shall come within the dependencies of Tunis to carry on commerce there, the same respect shall be paid to them which the merchants of other nations enjoy; and if they wish to establish themselves within our ports, no opposition shall be made thereto, and they shall be free to avail themselves of such interpreters as they may judge necessary, without any obstruction, in conformity with the usages of other nations; and if a Tunisian subject shall go to establish himself within the dependencies of the United States, he shall be treated in like manner. If any Tunisian subject shall freight an American vessel, and load her with merchandize, and shall afterwards want to unload, or ship them on board of another vessel, we shall not permit him until the matter is determined by a reference of merchants, who shall decide upon the case, and, after the decision, the determination shall be conformed to. No captain shall be detained in port against his consent, except when our ports are shut for the vessels of all other nations, which may take place with respect to merchant vessels, but not to those of war. The subjects and citizens of the two nations, respectively, Tunisians and Americans, shall be protected in the places where they may be by the officers of the government there existing; but, on failure of such protection, and for redress of every injury, the party may resort to the chief authority in each country, by whom adequate protection and complete justice shall be rendered. In case the government of Tunis shall have need of an American vessel for its service, such vessel being within the Regency, and not previously engaged, the Government shall have the preference, on its paying the same freight as other merchants usually pay for the same service, or at the like rate, if the service be without a customary precedent. ARTICLE 12th-As it was. When citizens of the United States shall come within the dependencies of Tunis, to carry on commerce there, the same respect shall be paid to them which the merchants of other nations enjoy; and if they wish to establish themselves within our ports, no opposition shall be made thereto; and they shall be free to avail themselves of such interpreters as they may judge necessary, without any obstruction, in conformity with the usages of other nations; and if a Tunisian subject shall go to establish himself within the dependencies of the United States, he shall be treated in like manner. Commerce to be on an equal footing with the most favored nations. Rules as to If any Tunisian subject shall freight an American vessel, and freight. load her with merchandize, and shall afterwards want to unlade or ship them on board of another vessel, we will not permit him, until the matter is determined by a reference of merchants, who shall decide upon the case, and after the decision, the determination shall be conformed to. No captain shall be detained in port against his consent, except when our ports are shut for the vessels of all other nations; which may take place with respect to merchant vessels, but not to those of war. The subjects of the two contracting powers shall be under the protection of the Prince, and under the jurisdiction of the chief of the place where they may be, and no other person shall have authority over them. If the Commandant of the place does not conduct himself agreeably to justice, a representation of it shall be made to us. In case the Government shall have need of an American merchant vessel, it shall cause it to be freighted, and then a suitable freight shall be paid to the Captain, agreeably to the intention of the Government, and the Captain shall not refuse it. No captain to be detained against his con. &c. sent, except, Protection of the citizens of the respective nations. Preference to Tunisian vessels for freight. |