ARTICLE XIII. Ratifications. The present treaty shall be approved and ratified by the President of the United States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate of the said States, and by His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in the city of Washington within the space of one year, or sooner if possible. sixth In faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present treaty in duplicate, and affixed thereto the seal of their arms. Done at St. Petersburg the December, in the year of Grace one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two. JAMES BUCHANAN. eighteenth [L. S. CHARLES COMTE DE NESSELRODE. [L. S. SEPARATE ARTICLE. Certain relations of proximity and anterior engagements having rendered it necessary for the Imperial Government to regulate Special stipulations. the commercial relations of Russia with Prussia and the Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway by special stipulations, now actually in force, and which may be renewed hereafter; which stipulations are in no manner connected with the existing regulations for foreign commerce in general: The two high contracting parties, wishing to remove from their commercial relations every kind of ambiguity or subject of discussion, have agreed that the special stipulations granted to the commerce of Prussia, and of Sweden and Norway, in consideration of equivalent advantages granted in these countries, by the one to the commerce of the Kingdom of Poland, and by the other to that of the Grand Dutchy of Finland, shall not, in any case, be invoked in favor of the relations of commerce and navigation sanctioned between the two high contracting parties by the present treaty. The present separate article shall have the same force and value as if it were inserted, word for word, in the treaty signed this day, and shall be ratified at the same time. In faith whereof we, the undersigned, by virtue of our respective full powers, have signed the present separate article, and affixed thereto the seals of our arms. sixth eighteenth Done at St. Petersburg the of December, in the year of Grace one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two. JAMES BUCHANAN. CHARLES COMTE DE NESSELRODE. [L. S.] L. S.] RUSSIA, 1854. CONVENTION WITH RUSSIA, RELATIVE TO THE RIGHTS OF NEUTRALS AT SEA. CONCLUDED JULY 22, 1854; RATIFICATIONS EXCHANGED OCTOBER 31, 1854; PROCLAIMED NOVEMBER 1, 1854. The United States of America and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, equally animated with a desire to maintain, and to preserve from all harm, the relations of good understanding Preamble. which have at all times so happily subsisted between themselves, as also between the inhabitants of their respective States, have mutually agreed to perpetuate, by means of a formal convention, the principles of the right of neutrals at sea, which they recognize as indispensable conditions of all freedom of navigation and maritime trade. For Negotiators. this purpose the President of the United States has conferred full powers on William L. Marcy, Secretary of State of the United States; and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias has conferred like powers on Mr. Edward de Stoeckl, Counsellor of State, Knight of the Orders of Ste. Anne of the 2d class, of St. Stanislas of the 4th class, and of the Iron Crown of Austria of the 3d class, His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires near the Government of the United States of America; And said Plenipotentiaries, after having exchanged their full powers, found in good and due form, have concluded and signed the following articles: ARTICLE I. The two high contracting parties recognize as permanent and immutable the following principles, to wit: ree goods. 1st. That free ships make free goods; that is to say, that the effects Free ships to make or goods belonging to subjects or citizens of a Power or State at war are free from capture and confiscation when found on board of neutral vessels, with the exception of articles contraband of war. 2d. That the property of neutrals on board an enemy's vessel is not subject to confiscation, unless the same be contraband of Neutral property. war. They engage to apply these principles to the commerce and navigation of all such Powers and States as shall consent to adopt them on their part as permanent and immutable. An ulterior under ARTICLE II. The two high contracting parties reserve themselves to come to an ulterior understanding as circumstances may require, with standing as to details. regard to the application and extension to be given, if there be any cause for it, to the principles laid down in the 1st article. But they declare from this time that they will take the stipulations contained in said article 1st as a rule, whenever it shall become a question to judge of the rights of neutrality. Other nations nay ARTICLE III. It is agreed by the high contracting parties that all nations which shall or may consent to accede to the rules of the first article accede to this treaty of this convention, by a formal declaration stipulating to observe them, shall enjoy the rights resulting from such accession as they shall be enjoyed and observed by the two Powers signing this convention. They shall mutually communicate to each other the results of the steps which may be taken on the subject. Ratifications. ARTICLE IV. The present convention shall be approved and ratified by the President of the United States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate of said States, and by His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, and the ratifications of the same shall be exchanged at Washington, within the period of ten months, counting from this day, or sooner if possible. In faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present convention in duplicate, and thereto affixed the seal of their arms. Done at Washington the twenty-second day of July, the year of Grace, 1854. W. L. MARCY. EDOUARD STOECKL. [L. S.] RUSSIA, 1867. [L. S.] Contracting Powers, CONVENTION FOR THE CESSION OF THE RUSSIAN POSSESSIONS IN NORTH AMERICA TO THE UNITED STATES. CONCLUDED MARCH 30, 1867; RATIFICATIONS EXCHANGED JUNE 20, 1867; PROCLAIMED JUNE 20, 1867. The United States of America and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, being desirous of strengthening, if possible, the good understanding which exists between them, have, for that purpose, appointed as their Plenipotentiaries, the President of the United States, William H. Seward, Secretary of State; and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, the Privy Counsellor Edward de Stoeckl, his Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States; And the said Plenipotentiaries, having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in due form, have agreed upon and signed the following articles: ARTICLE I. Cession of territory. Boundaries. His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias agrees to cede to the United States, by this convention, immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications thereof, all the territory and dominion now possessed by his said Majesty on the continent of America and in the adjacent islands, the same being contained within the geographical limits herein set forth, to wit: The eastern limit is the line of demarcation between the Russian and the British possessions in North America, as established by the convention between Russia and Great Britain, of February 28-16, 1825, and described in Articles III and IV of said convention, in the following terms: "Commencing from the southernmost point of the island called Prince of Wales Island, which point lies in the parallel of 54 degrees 40 minutes north latitude, and between the 131st and 133d degree of west longitude, (meridian of Greenwich,) the said line shall ascend to the north along the channel called Portland Channel, as far as the point of the continent where it strikes the 56th degree of north latitude; from this last-mentioned point, the line of demarcation shall follow the summit of the mountains situated parallel to the coast, as far as the point of intersection of the 141st degree of west longitude, (of the same meridian;) and finally, from the said point of intersection, the said meridian line of the 141st degree, in its prolongation as far as the Frozen Ocean. "IV. With reference to the line of demarcation laid down in the preceding article, it is understood "1st. That the island called Prince of Wales Island shall belong wholly to Russia," (now, by this cession to the United States.) "2d. That whenever the summit of the mountains which extend in a direction parallel to the coast from the 56th degree of north latitude to the point of intersection of the 141st degree of west longitude shall prove to be at the distance of more than ten marine leagues from the ocean, the limit between the British possessions and the line of coast which is to belong to Russia as above mentioned, (that is to say, the limit to the possessions ceded by this convention,) shall be formed by a line parallel to the winding of the coast, and which shall never exceed the distance of ten marine leagues therefrom." The western limit within which the territories and dominion conveyed are contained passes through a point in Behring's Straits on the parallel of sixty-five degrees thirty minutes north latitude, at its intersection by the meridian which passes midway between the islands of Krusenstern or Ignalook, and the island of Ratmanoff, or Noonarbook, and proceeds due north without limitation, into the same Frozen Ocean. The same western limit, beginning at the same initial point, proceeds thence in a course nearly southwest, through Behring's Straits and Behring's Sea, so as to pass midway between the northwest point of the island of St. Lawrence and the southeast point of Cape Choukotski, to the meridian of one hundred and seventy-two west longitude; thence, from the intersection of that meridian, in a southwesterly direction, so as to pass midway between the island of Attou and the Copper Island of the Kormandorski couplet or group, in the North Pacific Ocean, to the meridian of one hundred and ninety-three degrees west longitude, so as to include in the territory conveyed the whole of the Aleutian Islands east of that meridian. Cession of territory and dominion cludes what. ARTICLE II. In the cession of territory and dominion made by the preceding article are included the right of property in all public lots and squares, vacant lands, and all public buildings, fortifications, barracks, and other edifices which are not private individual property. It is, however, understood and agreed, that the churches which have been built in the ceded territory by the Russian Government, shall remain the property of such members of the Greek Oriental Church resident in the territory as may choose to worship therein. Any Government archives, papers, and documents relative to the territory and dominion aforesaid, which may now be existing there, will be left in the possession of the agent of the United States; but an authenticated copy of such of them as may be required, will be, at all times, given by the United States to the Russian Government, or to such Russian officers or subjects as they may apply for. ants. ARTICLE III. The inhabitants of the ceded territory, according to their choice, Kights of inhabit- reserving their natural allegiance, may return to Russia within three years; but if they should prefer to remain in the ceded territory, they, with the exception of uncivilized native tribes, shall be admitted to the enjoyment of all the rights, advantages, and immunities of citizens of the United States, and shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property, and religion. The uncivilized tribes will be subject to such laws and regulations as the United States may from time to time adopt in regard to aboriginal tribes of that country. ARTICLE IV. Agents, &c. His Majesty, the Emperor of all the Russias shall appoint, with convenient despatch, an agent or agents for the purpose of formally delivering to a similar agent or agents, appointed on behalf of the United States, the territory, dominion, property, dependencies, and appurtenances which are ceded as above, and for doing any other act which may be necessary in regard thereto. But the cession, with the right of immediate possession, is nevertheless to be deemed complete and absolute on the exchange of ratifications, without waiting for such formal delivery. ARTICLE V. Cession to be absolute. Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this convention, any fortifications or military posts which may be in the Military posts ceded territory shall be delivered to the agent of the United States, and any Russian troops which may be in the territory shall be withdrawn as soon as may be reasonably and conveniently practicable. ARTICLE VI. Payment. reservations, privi. In consideration of the cession aforesaid, the United States agree to pay at the Treasury in Washington, within ten months after the exchange of the ratifications of this convention, to the diplomatic representative or other agent of His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, duly authorized to receive the same, seven million two hundred thousand dollars in gold. The cession of territory Territory ceded to and dominion herein made is hereby declared to be free be unincumbered by and unincumbered by any reservations, privileges, fran- leges, franchises, &c. chises, grants, or possessions, by any associated companies, whether corporate or incorporate, Russian or any other, or by any parties, except merely private individual property-holders; and the cession hereby made conveys all the rights, franchises, and privileges now belonging to Russia in the said territory or dominion, and appurtenances thereto. ARTICLE VII. Ratifications. When this convention shall have been duly ratified by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, on the one part, and, on the other, by His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, the ratifications shall be exchanged at Washington within three months from the date hereof, or sooner if possible. In faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed this convention, and thereto affixed the seals of their arms. Done at Washington the thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven. [L. S.] WILLIAM H. SEWARD. |