582 A. D. 1677, 



fufed, and therefor adjourned them till winter, and afterwards till April 

 1678. 



In February 1667, (N. S.) King Charles concluded a treaty of com- 

 merce with France, the fubftance whereof follows. 



Articles I and II) Both nations may reciprocally trafiic to all countries 

 with whom they fhall refpedively be at peace ;. and in cafe one of the 

 contrading parties fhall be at war with another nation, that fhall not 

 hinder the other party from trading to that other country with the lame 

 merchandize as they might do in time of peace, contraband goods ex- 

 cepted. 



III) Contraband merchandize are defined to be all implements for 

 war, and alfo faltpetre, horfes, and their harnefs. 



IV) But not only every thing for the fupport and conveniency of 

 life, but gold and fllver, coined or uncoined, are declared not to be con- 

 traband ; and alfo (which was- ftill kinder for France) hemp, flax, pitch, 

 cordage, fails, anchors, mafts, boards, and wood, wrought of all forts of 

 trees, and that ferve for building of fhips, or the repair of them, fhali 

 remain free, in fuch fort, that the fubjeds of France may not only tranf- 

 port the fame from any neutral place to any otherneutral place, or even 

 to any place at enmity with the king of Great Britain ; or from a place 

 that is an enemy to a place that is neutral ; or, laflly, from a place be^ 

 longing to the enemies of the faid king to another alfo belonging to 

 his enemies, whether thofe ports be under the obedience of one prince 

 or flate, or of feveral, with one or all of which the king of Great Britain 

 may be at war. And the like on the fide of the mofl chriftian king ; 

 excepting,- however, towns adually befieged or invefted. 



V) French Ihips coming into the ports of Great Britain, and intending 

 to go thence elfewhere, fhall be detained no longer than to exhibit their 

 palFports. And if the French fliips be met in open fea by Britifh fhips 

 of war, the later, keeping at a diflance, may fend a boat on board the 

 French fliips, and put only two or three men on board, to the end that 

 the raafter or owner may exhibit to them his paflport, after which they 

 fhall freely proceed on their voyage ^ and the like for the fubjects of the 

 king of Great Britain. 



VI) French fliips pafhng to a country at enmity with Great Britain, 

 meeting with a Britifli fliip of war in their paflage ; and, in like man- 

 ner, the fliips of Britiib fubjeds meeting a French fhip of war, when 

 they are going to a place at enmity with France, mufl not only fhew 

 their paflports, but alfo their authentic certificates, to the end it may be 

 known, whether there are any contraband goods therein, &c. 



VII) Yet if there fhould be found any fuch therein, configned to an 

 enemy's port, the fearchers are not to go under deck, nor to open or 

 break into any chefls, bales, cafe, &c. nor to take any thing out of the 

 fhip, till fhe is brought into port, and a jufl inventory taken, in the pre- 



3 



