MARITIME INTERNATIONAL LAW. 293 



making private property at sea inviolable, provided such were not 

 contraband of war. 



It is not surprising, therefore, that at the conclusion of the 

 Crimean War, Great Britain, in concurrence with the other Mari- 

 time Powers of Europe, determined upon a more general and per- 

 manent recognition of the policy proclaimed at the outbreak of 

 hostilities. 



At the Congress which assembled at Paris, in 1856, the following 

 declaration was made : — 



" Declaration respecting" Maritime Law, signed by the Plenipoten- 

 tiaries of Austria, France, Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, Sardinia, 

 and Turkey, assembled in Congress at Paris, April i6th, 1856. 



" The Plenipotentiaries, who signed the Treaty of Paris of 30th 

 March, 1856, assembled in Conference — considering : — 



" That Maritime Law, in time of war, has long been the subject 

 of deplorable disputes ; 



"That the uncertainty of the law, and of the duties in such a matter 

 gives rise to differences of opinion between neutrals and belligerents, 

 which may occasion serious difiSculties, and even conflicts ; 



"That it is consequently advantageous to estabhsh a uniform 

 doctrine on so important a point ; 



"That the Plenipotentiaries, assembled in Congress at Paris, cannot 

 better respond to the intentions by which their Governments are 

 animated, than by seeking to introduce into international relations 

 fixed principles in this respect : 



" The above mentioned Plenipotentiaries, being duly authorized, 

 resolved to concert amongst themselves as to the means of attaining 

 this object; and, having come to an agreement, have adopted the 

 following solemn Declaration : — 



" I. — Privateering is, and remains abolished. 



" 2. — The neutral flag covers enemy's goods, with the exception ot 

 contraband of war. 



" 3. — Neutral goods, with the exception of contraband of war, are 

 not liable to capture under enemy's flag. 



"4. — Blockades, in order to be binding, must be effective, that is 

 to say, maintained by a force sufficient really to prevent 

 access to the coast of the enemy. 



" The Governments of the undersigned Plenipotentiaries engage to 

 bring the present Declaration to the knowledge of the States, which 



