A. D. 1800. 523 



' convey their fnips and merchandize freely, without being fubjed to 

 ' the controul of the powers at war.' And they refolved to eftablifh the 

 fyflem of an armed neutrality, nearly on the principles of that of the 

 year 1780. In confequence of this refolution, a convention was now 

 concluded at Peterfburg between the two fovereigns, . wherein — They 

 prohibit their fubjecfts from carrying contraband merchandize, which 

 they declare to be only arms, ammunition, and horie furniture, to any 

 country engaged in war. — They declare, that all veflels may freely na- 

 vigate on the coafts, and between the harbours, of the belligerent powers ; 

 that the property of the fubjeds of the belligerent powers carried in 

 neutral veflels, except contraband goods fliall be free ; that neutral vef- 

 fels attempting to get into a blockaded port, violate the convention ; 

 that there fhall be no delay in giving fentence with regard to neutral 

 veflels, unlefs they are detained upon reafons evidently jufl, and they 

 fliall be indemnified for any damages fuftained by them ; and the de- 

 claration of the commander of a Ruflian or Swedifli fliip of war or fquad- 

 ron, that the merchant fliips under his convoy have no contraband 

 goods onboard, fliall be received as fufficient, and no fearch fliall be per- 

 mitted — ' In order to place the commerce of their fubjeds upon the 



• moft legal and permanent bafis,' they * have deemed it expedient to 



* equip a number of fliips of war and frigates' to proted their convoys. 

 — Veflels belonging to the fubjeds of either power, conforming to the 

 principles of the neutrality, and not having the protedion of the fliips 

 of war of their own fovereign, fliall be proteded by thofe of the other. 

 — This convention has no retrofpedive operation, but Ihall be the bafis 

 of a fy ftem for the protedion of all the neutral nations of Europe, whofe 

 rights may be invaded — In cafe of a Ruflian or Swedifli fliip being 

 taken by a fliip belonging to any of the belligerent powers, the minifter 

 of the injured party fliall reclaim the vefl^el, and demand fatisfadion for 

 the infult offered to the flag of his fovereign ; and he fliall be fupported 

 by the minifter of the other contraduig power. In fiilure of redrefs in 

 due time, the contrading powers Oiall have recourfe to reprifals.— The 

 contrading powers engage to fupport each other againft any power who 

 may moleft either of them on account of this convention, which fliall 

 be confidered as a perpetual ftandard for regulating the commerce and 

 navigation, and maintaining the rights, of neutral nations— They agree 

 that other neutral powers may become parties to this convention, con- 

 form to its obligations, and partake of its advantages. 



The courts of Denmark and Pruflia alfo engaged in this aflociation. 



Though the duty upon tea, fixed by the commutation ad in the year 

 1784. at 12^ per cent, was now, by repeated augmentations *, raifed to 

 about 40 per cent, on the fale price, the quantity confumed continued 

 to increafe. The low price to which it was reduced by the commuta- 



* See//. 341, 384, 443, 493, of this volume. 3 



3U 2 



