Mr. Pike to Mr.
Seward.
[Extract.]
No. 4.]
Legation of the United
States,
The
Hague,
June 16, 1861.
Sir: I have obtained from the minister of
foreign affairs copies of the proclamations about to be issued by this
government in relation to the letters of marque recently issued by the
Montgomery revolutionists.
I have the honor to enclose the copies transmitted to me in the original
Dutch. I see the instructions to ministers forbid the application of the
contingent fund to pay translators, and I infer from this that the
department prefers original documents. These papers warn the Dutch
people against privateering, as an unlawful proceeding which may be
deemed piracy, and they forbid the use of the ports of the Netherlands
to privateers under any flag. They refer also to the fact of the
adhesion of Holland to the declaration of the congress of Paris, in
respect to maritime rights, made in 1856. It will likewise be observed
that the Dutch government abstains from following the British example in
excluding prizes brought in by ships-of-war.
* * * * * *
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. Wm. H. Seward.
Secretary of State, Washington.
[Translation.]
In obedience to the King’s orders the ministers for foreign affairs,
of justice, and of the marine, present to the knowledge of all it
may concern, that to guard against probable difficulties during the
doubtful complications in the United States of North America, no
privateers under any
[Page 354]
flag
soever, or provided with any commission or letters of marque, or
their prizes, shall be admitted into our havens or seaports, unless
in case of marine disaster, and that requisite orders be issued that
under any circumstances such privateers and their prizes be required
to go again to sea as speedily as possible.
At the Hague.
The ministers above named.
[Translation.]
The minister for foreign affairs and the minister of justice, by the
King’s authority, warn, by these presents, all inhabitants of the
kingdom, that during the existing disturbances in the United States
of America they in nowise take part in privateering, because the
Netherlands government has acceded to the declaration upon maritime
rights set forth by the Paris conference of 1856, whereby, among
other matters, privateering is abolished, and no recognition of
commissions got for letters of marque permitted. Also that
commissions and letters of marque, in conflict with the aforesaid
prohibition, which may issue to inhabitants of the Netherlands,
cannot have a lawful effect in behalf of the King’s subjects, or of
any abroad who are in subjection to the laws of the kingdom. Those
who, under such circumstances, engage in or lend their aid in
privateering to other people, will be considered as pirates, and
prosecuted according to law in the Netherlands, and subjected to the
punishment provided for the commission of such offences.
The Hague.
The ministers above named.
[Translation.]
The minister for foreign affairs, apprised by a communication from
the minister of marine, that the King has authorized the naval force
in the West Indies to be seasonably strengthened by his Majesty’s
steam frigate Zealand, and the screw propellers Dyambi and Vesuvius,
for the purpose of giving protection to the trade and navigation of
the Netherlands during the contest which seems to be in existence in
the United States of North America, wherever it may be desired,
therefore esteems it to be his duty to direct the attention of
ship-masters, consignees, and freighters, to the peril to which
their insurance against loss will be exposed by any violation of the
obligations imposed on neutral powers to respect actual blockades,
and not to carry contraband of war, or despatches of
belligerents.
In these cases they will be subject to all the resulting losses that
may follow, without the benefit of any protection or intervention on
the part of his Majesty’s government. Of which take notice.
The Hague, June, 1861.
The minister above named.
