. 
210] 
objects which do not admit of mi- 
nisterial discussions. The instruc- 
tions which I gave to some of the 
king’s ministers at different foreign 
courts are of this kind: it is be- 
come public without our know- 
ledge ; it is nothing like a decla- 
ration to these courts. We have 
made no declaration ; it is a simple 
Official instruction, only designed 
for the information of those to 
whom it is addressed, and which 
relates to the anterior correspon- 
dence, and which breathing only 
the justice rendered to the present 
French constitution, could not 
surely involve usin a dispute with 
her, but rather with those who do 
not love that constitution. This is 
soclearly evident, that I should 
only weaken it by further explana- 
tion. 
You know, besides, that your 
admission has been without the 
smallest reserve, absolutely in the 
usual and most solemo forms that 
we know. We never do things by 
half, and as you are witness of our 
conduct and proceedings, I should 
Jove to chuse you yourself as judge, 
and | depend upon your imparti- 
ality. In the same manner | en- 
treat you to believe in the high con- 
sjderation with which I am, &c. 
: BerNsToRFF,. 
Copenhagen, March 19, 1796. 
Proclamation of the Queen of Por- 
éugal for making Lisbon a free Port. 
Donna Maria, by the Grace of 
“God, Queen of Portugal and 
the Algarves, &c. &c. .. 
BEit known to all to whom this 
Jaw shell come, that taking into my 
royal consideration the many and 
very important advantages: which 
would necessarily result to the com- 
merce of the subjects of these king. 
doms and their dominions, by the 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1796. 
establishment of a free port; and 
well aware, that the port of Lisbon, 
from its situation, security, and 
facility of navigation. wih the 
ocean, is preferable to those of 
other nations which have adopted 
similar establishments ; conforming 
myself to the opinion of my royal 
board of commerce, agriculture, 
minufactures, and navigation, of 
those kingdoms and their domi- 
nions, and of others of my council, 
very learned and zeaious for the 
good of my royal service, and of 
the public utility—It is my will, 
and I am pleased to create and 
establish, at Junquiera, joining to 
the city of Lisbon, a free port, to 
take entire and due effect from the 
first day of January, in the year 
next ensuing of 1797, having des- 
tined for its exercise and the 
deposit, the houses and warehouses 
of Fort St. John, with the ground 
adjoining, whereon to build the 
further necessary accommodations, 
there to receive and deposit all 
goods and merchandize, of what- 
ever quality or kind they may be, 
as well for foreign countries, (ex- 
ccpt for the present sugar and toy 
bacco) as from national ports situate 
beyond the Cape ef Good Hope, 
for the purpose, at the option of 
the proprietors of the said goods, of 
disposing of them for the internal 
comsumption of the kingdom, pro. 
vided they are entitled to lawful 
entry, and on paying the customary 
duties, at the respective custom- 
houses; or to be exported to foe 
reign ports, or national ones be- 
yond the said Cape of Good Hope, 
on paying only towards the benefit 
of my royalrevenue, for protection 
and deposit, the duty of 1 per 
cent. on the amount of their value, 
calculated on the invoice to be 
produced by the captains of the 
vessels, 
