Treaty.

8,291 words·~38 min read·/statutes-at-large/vol-8/treaty-p100·

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

8 Stat. 100 TREATY OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP *Between the United States of America, and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Morocco.* (*a*)(*a*) By “an act making an appropriation for the purpose therein mentioned,” passed March 3, 1791, Laws U. S. vol. 1, 214, twenty thousand dollars are appropriated for effecting a negotiation of the treaty with Morocco, September 16, 1836, post, 484. To all Persons to whom these Presents shall come or be made known.January, 1787. Whereas the United States of America, in Congress assembled, by their commission bearing date the twelfth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, thought proper to constitute John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, their Ministers Plenipotentiary, giving to them, or a majority of them, full powers to confer, treat and negotiate with the Ambassador, Minister, or Commissioner of his Majesty the Emperor of Morocco, concerning a treaty of amity and commerce; to make and receive propositions for such treaty, and to conclude and sign the same, transmitting it to the United States in Congress assembled, for their final ratification; and by one other commission, bearing date the eleventh day of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five, did further empower the said Ministers Plenipotentiary, or a majority of them, by writing under their hands and seals, to appoint such agent in the said business as they might think proper, with authority under the directions and instructions of the said Ministers, to commence and prosecute the said negotiations and conferences for the said treaty, provided that the said treaty should be signed by the said Ministers:

And whereas we, the said John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two of the said Ministers Plenipotentiary (the said Benjamin Franklin being absent) by writing under the hand and seal of the said John Adams at London, October the fifth, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five, and of the said Thomas Jefferson at Paris, October the eleventh of the same year, did appoint Thomas Barclay, agent in the business aforesaid, giving him the powers therein, which, by the said second commission, we were authorized to give, and the said Thomas Barclay, in pursuance thereof, hath arranged articles for a treaty of amity and commerce between the United States of America, and his Majesty the Emperor of Morocco, which articles, written in the Arabic language, confirmed by his said Majesty the Emperor of Morocco, and sealed with his royal seal, being translated into the language of the said United States of America, together with the attestations thereto annexed, are in the following words, to wit:

ROYAL SEAL. In the Name of Almighty God. This is a Treaty of Peace and Friendship established between us and the United States of America, which is confirmed, and which we have ordered to be written in this book, and sealed with our royal seal, at our court of Morocco, on the twenty-fifth day of the blessed month of Shaban, in the year one thousand two hundred, trusting in God it will remain permanent. ARTICLE I. We declare that both parties have agreed that this treaty, consisting 100TREATY WITH MOROCCO. 1787.101 of twenty-five articles, shall be inserted in this book, and delivered toEmperor’s consent to the treaty. the Honorable Thomas Barclay, the agent of the United States, now at our court, with whose approbation it has been made, and who is duly authorized on their part to treat with us concerning all the matters contained therein.

ARTICLE II. If either of the parties shall be at war with any nation whatever, theNeither party shall take commission from the enemy of the other. other party shall not take a commission from the enemy, nor fight under their colours. ARTICLE III. If either of the parties shall be at war with any nation whatever, andRegulation in case of captures. take a prize belonging to that nation, and there shall be found on board subjects or effects belonging to either of the parties, the subjects shall be set at liberty, and the effects returned to the owners.

And if any goods belonging to any nation, with whom either of the parties shall be at war, shall be loaded on vessels belonging to the other party, they shall pass free and unmolested, without any attempt being made to take or detain them. ARTICLE IV. A signal or pass shall be given to all vessels belonging to both parties,Signal or pass to be given to vessels. by which they are to be known when they meet at sea; and if the commander of a ship of war of either party shall have other ships under his convoy, the declaration of the commander shall alone be sufficient to exempt any of them from examination.

ARTICLE V. If either of the parties shall be at war, and shall meet a vessel at seaHow vessels shall be examined in time of war. belonging to the other, it is agreed, that if an examination is to be made, it shall be done by sending a boat with two or three men only; and if any gun shall be fired, and injury done without reason, the offending party shall make good all damages. ARTICLE VI. If any Moor shall bring citizens of the United States, or their effects,Citizens of the U.S. captured, to be released. to his Majesty, the citizens shall immediately be set at liberty, and the effects restored; and in like manner, if any Moor, not a subject of these dominions, shall make prize of any of the citizens of America, or their effects, and bring them into any of the ports of his Majesty, they shall be immediately released, as they will then be considered as under his Majesty’s protection.

ARTICLE VII. If any vessel of either party shall put into a port of the other, andVessels wanting supplies, to be furnished. have occasion for provisions or other supplies, they shall be furnished without any interruption or molestation. ARTICLE VIII. If any vessel of the United States shall meet with a disaster at sea,Provision in case of misfortune. and put into one of our ports to repair, she shall be at liberty to land and re-load her cargo, without paying any duty whatever.

ARTICLE IX. If any vessel of the United States shall be cast on shore on any part of our coasts, she shall remain at the disposition of the owners, and no one shall attempt going near her without their approbation, as she is 102 then considered particularly under our protection; and if any vessel ofRegulation in case of ship-wreck, and being forced into port. the United States shall be forced to put into our ports by stress of weather, or otherwise, she shall not be compelled to land her cargo, but shall remain in tranquility until the commander shall think proper to proceed on his voyage.

ARTICLE X. If any vessel of either of the parties shall have an engagement with aVessels protected in certain cases. vessel belonging to any of the Christian powers within gun shot of the forts of the other, the vessel so engaged shall be defended and protected as much as possible until she is in safety; and if any American vessel shall be cast on shore on the coast of Wadnoon, or any coast thereabout, the people belonging to her shall be protected and assisted, until, by the help of God, they shall be sent to their country.

ARTICLE XI. If we shall be at war with any Christian power, and any of our vesselsPrivileges of vessels in case of war. sail from the ports of the United States, no vessel belonging to the enemy, shall follow until twenty-four hours after the departure of our vessels; and the same regulation shall be observed towards the American vessels sailing from our ports, be their enemies Moors or Christians. ARTICLE XII. If any ship of war belonging to the United States shall put into anyShips of war belonging to U.

S. not to be examined. of our ports, she shall not be examined on any pretence whatever, even though she should have fugitive slaves on board, nor shall the governor or commander of the place compel them to be brought on shore on any pretext, nor require any payment for them. ARTICLE XIII. If a ship of war of either party shall put into a port of the other andShips of war to be saluted. salute, it shall be returned from the fort with an equal number of guns, not with more or less.

ARTICLE XIV. The commerce with the United States shall be on the same footingCommerce on the footing of the most favoured nation. as is the commerce with Spain, or as that with the most favoured nation for the time being; and their citizens shall be respected and esteemed, and have full liberty to pass and repass our country and seaports whenever they please, without interruption. ARTICLE XV. Merchants of both countries shall employ only such interpreters, andPrivileges of merchants. such other persons to assist them in their business, as they shall think proper.

No commander of a vessel shall transport his cargo on board another vessel; he shall not be detained in port longer than he may think proper; and all persons employed in loading or unloading goods, or in any other labour whatever, shall be paid at the customary rates, not more and not less. ARTICLE XVI. In case of a war between the parties, the prisoners are not to beIn case of war, prisoners not to be enslaved, but exchanged. made slaves, but to be exchanged one for another, captain for captain, officer for officer, and one private man for another; and if there shall prove a deficiency on either side, it shall be made up by the payment of one hundred Mexican dollars for each person wanting.

And it is agreed that all prisoners shall be exchanged in twelve months from the time of their being taken, and that this exchange may be effected by a merchant or any other person authorized by either of the parties. 103 TREATY WITH MOROCCO. 1787. ARTICLE XVII. Merchants shall not be compelled to buy or sell any kind of goodsMerchants may buy and sell all goods except those prohibited to other Christian nations. but such as they shall think proper; and may buy and sell all sorts of merchandize but such as are prohibited to the other Christian nations.

ARTICLE XVIII. All goods shall be weighed and examined before they are sent onGoods to be examined before sent on board, and not after, unless in case of fraud. board, and to avoid all detention of vessels, no examination shall afterwards be made, unless it shall first be proved that contraband goods have been sent on board, in which case, the persons who took the contraband goods on board, shall be punished according to the usage and custom of the country, and no other person whatever shall be injured, nor shall the ship or cargo incur any penalty or damage whatever.

ARTICLE XIX. No vessel shall be detained in port on any pretence whatever, nor beVessels not to be detained. obliged to take on board any articles without the consent of the commander, who shall be at full liberty to agree for the freight of any goods he takes on board. ARTICLE XX. If any of the citizens of the United States, or any persons under theirHow disputes shall be settled. protection, shall have any disputes with each other, the consul shall decide between the parties, and whenever the consul shall require any aid or assistance from our government, to enforce his decisions, it shall be immediately granted to him.

ARTICLE XXI. If a citizen of the United States should kill or wound a Moor, or, onHow crimes shall be punished. the contrary, if a Moor shall kill or wound a citizen of the United States, the law of the country shall take place, and equal justice shall be rendered, the consul assisting at the trial; and if any delinquent shall make his escape, the consul shall not be answerable for him in any manner whatever. ARTICLE XXII. If an American citizen shall die in our country, and no will shallHow estates of deceased citizens shall be disposed of. appear, the consul shall take possession of his effects; and if there shall be no consul, the effects shall be deposited in the hands of some person worthy of trust, until the party shall appear who has a right to demand them; but if the heir to the person deceased be present, the property shall be delivered to him without interruption; and if a will shall appear, the property shall descend agreeable to that will as soon as the consul shall declare the validity thereof.

ARTICLE XXIII. The consuls of the United States of America, shall reside in any seaport Consuls and their privileges. of our dominions that they shall think proper; and they shall be respected, and enjoy all the privileges which the consuls of any other nation enjoy; and if any of the citizens of the United States shall contract any debts or engagements, the consul shall not be in any manner accountable for them, unless he shall have given a promise in writing for the payment or fulfilling thereof, without which promise in writing, no application to him for any redress shall be made. 104 ARTICLE XXIV.

If any differences shall arise by either party infringing on any of theRegulations in case of war. articles of this treaty, peace and harmony shall remain notwithstanding, in the fullest force, until a friendly application shall be made for an arrangement, and until that application shall be rejected, no appeal shall be made to arms. And if a war shall break out between the parties, nine months shall be granted to all the subjects of both parties, to dispose of their effects and retire with their property.

And it is further declared, that whatever indulgences, in trade or otherwise, shall be granted to any of the Christian Powers, the citizens of the United States shall be equally entitled to them. ARTICLE XXV. This treaty shall continue in full force, with the help of God, for fiftyDuration of treaty. years. We have delivered this book into the hands of the beforementioned Thomas Barclay, on the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan, in the year one thousand two hundred. I certify that the annexed is a true copy of the translation made by Isaac Cardoza Nunez, interpreter at Morocco, of the treaty between the Emperor of Morocco and the United States of America.

THOMAS BARCLAY. ADDITIONAL ARTICLE. Grace to the only God. I, the under-written, the servant of God, Taher Ben Abdelkack Fennish,Vessels of U. S. to be protected. do certify, that His Imperial Majesty, my master, (whom God preserve,) having concluded a treaty of peace and commerce with the United States of America, has ordered me, the better to compleat it, and in addition of the tenth article of the treaty, to declare, “That if any vessel belonging to the United States, shall be in any of the ports of his Majesty’s dominions, or within gun-shot of his forts, she shall be protected as much as possible; and no vessel whatever, belonging either to Moorish or Christian Powers, with whom the United States may be at war, shall be permitted to follow or engage her, as we now deem the citizens of America our good friends.

” And, in obedience to his Majesty’s commands, I certify this declaration, by putting my hand and seal to it, on the eighteenth day of Ramadan,(*a*)(*a*) The Ramadan of the year of the Hegira 1200, commenced on the 28th June, in the year of our Lord 1786. in the year one thousand two hundred. The servant of the King, my master, whom God preserve, TAHER BEN ABDELKACK FENNISH. I do certify that the above is a true copy of the translation made at Morocco, by Isaac Cardoza Nunez, interpreter, of a declaration made and signed by Sidi Hage Taher Fennish, in addition to the treaty between the Emperor of Morocco and the United States of America, which declaration the said Taher Fennish made by the express directions of his Majesty.

THOMAS BARCLAY. 105 Now, know ye, That we, the said John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, Ministers Plenipotentiary aforesaid, do approve and conclude the said treaty, and every article and clause therein contained, reserving the same nevertheless to the United States in Congress assembled, for their final ratification. In testimony whereof, we have signed the same with our names and seals, at the places of our respective residence, and at the dates expressed under our signatures respectively.

JOHN ADAMS, (l. s.) *London, January* 25*th*, 1787. THOMAS JEFFERSON, (l. s.) *Paris, January* 1*st*, 1787. Nov. 14, 1788 Convention 8 Stat. 106 CONVENTION *Between His Most Christian Majesty and the United States of America.* CONVENTION *Between His Most Christian Majesty and the United States of America, for the Purpose of defining and establishing the Functions and Privileges of their respective Consuls and Vice-Consuls.* (*a*)(*a*) An act to declare the treaties heretofore concluded with France no longer obligatory on the United States.

July 7, 1798; Laws U. S. vol. 1, 578. His Majesty the Most Christian King, and the United States of America,Nov. 14, 1788. having, by the twenty-ninth article of the treaty of amity and commerce concluded between them, mutually granted the liberty of having, in their respective states and ports, consuls, vice-consuls, agents and commissaries, and being willing, in consequence thereof, to define and establish, in a reciprocal and permanent manner, the functions and privileges of consuls and vice-consuls, which they have judged it convenient to establish of preference, His Most Christian Majesty has nominated the Sieur Count of Montmorin, of St.

Herent, Marechal of his Camps and Armies, Knight of his Orders and of the Golden Fleece, his Counsellor in all his Councils, Minister and Secretary of State, and of his Commandments and Finances, having the department of Foreign Affairs; and the United States have nominated the Sieur Thomas Jefferson, citizen of the United States of America, and their Minister Plenipotentiary near the King, who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, have agreed on what follows:

ARTICLE I. The consuls and vice-consuls named by the Most Christian King andConsuls to present commissions, and to be entitled to an *exequatur*. the United States, shall be bound to present their commissions according to the forms which shall be established respectively by the Most Christian King within his dominions, and by the Congress within the United States. There shall be delivered to them, without any charges, the *exequatur* necessary for the exercise of their functions; and on exhibiting the said *exequatur*, the governors, commanders, heads of justice, bodies corporate, tribunals and other officers having authority in the ports and places of their consulates, shall cause them to enjoy immediately, and without difficulty, the pre-eminences, authority, and privileges, reciprocally granted, without exacting from the said consuls and vice-consuls any fee, under any pretext whatever.

ARTICLE II. The consuls and vice-consuls, and persons attached to their functions;Privileges of consuls. that is to say: their chancellors and secretaries, shall enjoy a full and entire immunity for their chancery, and the papers which shall be therein contained. They shall be exempt from all personal service, from soldiers’ billets, militia, watch, guard, guardianship, trustee-ship, 106 CONVENTION *Entre le Roi très Chrétien, et les Etats Unis de l’Amérique.* CONVENTION *Entre le Roi très Chrétien, et les Etats Unis de l’Amérique, à l’effet de déterminer et fixer les fonctions et prérogatives des Consuls et Vice-Consuls respectifs.* Sa Majesté le Roi très Chrétien, et les Etats Unis de l’Amérique, s’étant accordés mutuellement par l’art.

XXIX, du traité d’amitié et de commerce conclu entreux, la liberté de tenir dans leurs Etats et ports respectifs, des consuls, et vice-consuls, ayons et commissaires, et voulant en conséquence déterminer et fixer d’une manière réciproque et permanente, les fonctions et prérogatives des consuls, et vice-consuls qu’ils ont jugé convenable d’établir de préférence, sa Majesté très Chrétienne a nommé le Sieur Comte de Montmorin de St. Herent, maréchal de ses camps et armées, chevalier de ses ordres et de la toison-d’or, son conseiller en tous ses conseils, ministre et sécrétaire d’état et de ses commandements et finances, avant le département des affaires étrangères; et les Etats Unis ont nommé le Sieur Thomas Jefferson, citoyen des Etats Unis de l’Amérique, et leur ministre plénipotentiaire auprès du Roi, lesquels, après s’être communiqué leurs plein-pouvoirs respectifs sont convenus de ce qui suit.

ARTICLE I. Les consuls et vice-consuls nommés par le Roi très Chrétien et les Etats Unis seront tenus de présenter leurs provisions selon la forme qui se trouvera établie respectivement par le Roi très Chrétien dans ses Etats, et par le Congrès dans les Etats Unis. On leur délivrera sans aucune fraîix l’*exequatur* nécessaire à l’exercice de leurs fonctions, et sur l’exhibition qu’ils feront du dit *exequatur*, les gouverneurs, commandants, chefs de justice, les corps, tribunaux ou autres officiers ayant autorité dans les ports et lieux de leurs consulats, les y feront jouir aussitôt et sans difficulté des préménences, autorité et privilèges accordés réciproquement, sans qu’ils puissent exiger des dits consuls et vice-consuls aucun droit sous aucun prétexte quelconque.

ARTICLE II. Les consuls et vice-consuls et les personnes attachées à leurs fonctions, savoir, leurs chancelliers et sécrétaires, jouiront d’une pleine et entière immunité pour leur chancellerie et les papiers qui y seront renfermés. Ils seront exemès de tout service personnel, logement des gens de guerre, milice, guet, garde, tutelle, curatelle, ainsi que de tous droits, 107 108 CONVENTION WITH FRANCE. 1788. as well as from all duties, taxes, impositions and charges whatsoever, except on the estate real and personal of which they may be the proprietors or possessors, which shall be subject to the taxes imposed on the estates of all other individuals:

And in all other instances they shall be subject to the laws of the land as the natives are. Those of the said consuls and vice-consuls who shall exercise commerce, shall be respectively subject to all taxes, charges and impositions established on other merchants. They shall place over the outward door of their house, the arms of their sovereign; but this mark of indication shall not give to the said house any privilege of asylum for any person or property whatsoever. ARTICLE III.

The respective consuls and vice-consuls may establish agents in theConsuls may appoint agents. different ports and places of their departments where necessity shall require. These agents may be chosen among the merchants, either national or foreign, and furnished with a commission from one of the said consuls: They shall confine themselves respectively to the rendering to their respective merchants, navigators and vessels, all possible service, and to inform the nearest consul of the wants of the said merchants, navigators and vessels, without the said agents otherwise participating in the immunities, rights and privileges attributed to consuls and vice-consuls, and without power under any pretext whatever, to exact from the said merchants any duty or enrolument whatsoever.

ARTICLE IV. The consuls and vice-consuls respectively may establish a chancery,Consuls may establish a chancery. where shall be deposited the consular determinations, acts and proceedings, as also testaments, obligations, contracts, and other acts done by or between persons of their nation, and effects left by deceased persons, or saved from shipwreck. They may consequently appoint fit persons to act in the said chancery, receive and swear them in, commit to them the custody of the seal, and authority to seal commissions, sentences and other consular acts, and also to discharge the functions of notary and register of the consulate.

ARTICLE V. The consuls and vice-consuls respectively shall have the exclusivePower and duty of consuls. right of receiving in their chancery, or on board of vessels, the declarations and all other the acts, which the captains, masters, crews, passengers, and merchants of their nation may abuse to make there, even their testaments and other disposals by last will: And the copies of the said acts, duly authenticated by the said consuls or vice-consuls, under the seal of their consulate, shall receive faith in law, equally as their originals would, in all the tribunals of the dominions of the Most Christian King, and of the United States.

They shall also have, and exclusively, in case of the absence of the testamentary executor, administrator or legal heir, the right to inventory, liquidate and proceed to the sale of the personal estate left by subjects or citizens of their nation, who shall die within the extent of their consulate; they shall proceed therein with the assistance of two merchants of their said nation, or for want of them, of any other at their choice, and shall cause to be deposited in their chancery, the effects and papers of the said estates; and no officer, military, judiciary, or of the police of the country, shall disturb them or interfere therein, in any manner whatsoever: but the said consuls and vice-consuls shall not deliver up the said effects, nor the proceeds thereof, to the lawful heirs, or to their order, till they shall have caused to be paid all debts which the deceased shall have contracted in the country; for which purpose the creditors shall have a right to attach the 109 taxes, impositions et charges quelconques, à l’exception seulement des biens meubles et immeubles dont ils seraient propriétaires ou possesseurs, lesquels seront assujettis aux taxes imposées sur ceux de tous autres particuliers, et à tous égards ils demeureront sujets aux loix du païs comme les nationaux.

Ceux des dits consuls et vice-consuls qui feront le commerce seront respectivement assujettis à toutes les taxes, charges et impositions établies sur les autres négociants. Ils placeront sur la porte extérieure de leurs maisons les armes de leur souverain, sans que cette marque distinctive puisse donner aux dites maisons le droit d’asile, soit pour des personnes, soit pour des effets quelconques. ARTICLE III. Les consuls et vice-consuls respectifs pourront établir des agents dans les différents ports et lieux de leurs départements où le besoin l’exigera; ces agents pourront être choisis parmi les négociants nationaux ou étrangers, et munis de la commission de l’un des dits consuls.

Ils se renfermeront respectivement à rendre aux commerçants, navigateurs et bâtiments respectifs, tous les services possibles, et à informer le consul le plus proche des besoins des dits commerçants, navigateurs et bâtiments, sans que les dits agents puissent autrement participer aux immunités, droits et privilèges attribués aux consuls et vice-consuls, et sans pouvoir sous aucun prétexte que ce soit, exiger aucun droit ou émolument quelconque des dits commerçants. ARTICLE IV.

Les consuls et vice-consuls respectifs pourront établir une chancellerie où seront déposés les délibérations, actes et procédures consulaires, ainsi que les testaments, obligations, contrats, et autres actes faits par les nationaux ou entr’eux, et les effets délaissés par mort, ou sauvés des naufrages. Ils pourront en conséquence commettre à l’exercice de la dite chancellerie des personnes capables, les recevoir, leur faire prêter serment, leur donner la garde du sceau et le droit de sceller les commissions, jugements et autres actes consulaires, ainsi que d’y remplir les fonctions de notaire et greffiers du consulat.

ARTICLE V. Les consuls et vice-consuls respectifs auront le droit exclusif de recevoir dans leur chancellerie, ou à bord des bâtiments, les déclarations et tous les autres actes que les capitaines, patrons, équipages, passagers, et négociants de leur nation voudront y passer, même leur testament et autres dispositions de dernière volonté, et les copies des dits actes dûment légalisées par les dits consuls ou vice-consuls, et munies du sceau de leur consulat, feront foi en justice comme le feroient les originaux dans tous les tribunaux des états du Roi très Chrétien et des Etats Unis.

Ils auront aussi, et exclusivement, en cas d’absence d’exécuteur testamentaire, curateur ou héritiers légitimes, le droit de faire l’inventaire, la liquidation et de procéder à la vente des effets mobiliers de la succession des sujets ou citoyens de leur nation, qui viendront à mourir dans l’étendue de leur consulat. Ils y procéderont avec l’assistance de deux négociants de leur dite nation, ou à leur défaut, de tout autre à leur choix, et feront déposer dans leur chancellerie les effets et papiers des dites successions, sans qu’aucuns officiers militaires, de justice, ou de police du païs, puissent les y troubler, ni y intervenir de quelque manière que ce soit; mais les dits consuls et vice-consuls ne pourront faire la délivrance des successions et de leur produit aux héritiers légitimes, ou à leurs mandataires, qu’après avoir fait acquitter toutes les dettes que les défunts auront pû avoir contractés dans le païs; à l’effet de quoi les créanciers auront droit de saisir les dits effets dans leurs 110 said effects in their hands, as they might in those of any other individual whatever, and proceed to obtain sale of them till payment of what shall be lawfully due to them.

When the debts shall not have been contracted by judgment, deed or note, the signature whereof shall be known, payment shall not be ordered but on the creditor’s giving sufficient surety, resident in the country, to refund the sums he shall have unduly received, principal, interest and costs; which surety nevertheless shall stand duly discharged, after the term of one year in time of peace, and of two in time of war, if the demand in discharge cannot be formed before the end of this term against the heirs who shall present themselves.

And in order that the heirs may not be unjustly kept out of the effects of the deceased, the consuls and vice-consuls shall notify his death in some one of the gazettes published within their consulate, and that they shall retain the said effects in their hands four months to answer all demands which shall be presented; and they shall be bound after this delay to deliver to the persons succeeding thereto, what shall be more than sufficient for the demands which shall have been formed.

ARTICLE VI. The consuls and vice-consuls respectively shall receive the declarations,Consuls to receive declarations, &c. from captains, of losses at sea. protests and reports of all captains and masters of their respective nation on account of average losses sustained at sea: and these captains and masters shall lodge in the chancery of the said consuls and vice-consuls, the acts which they may have made in other ports on account of the accidents which may have happened to them on their voyage.

If a subject of the Most Christian King and a citizen of the United States, or a foreigner, are interested in the said cargo, the average shall be settled by the tribunals of the country, and not by the consuls or vice-consuls; but when only the subjects or citizens of their own nation shall be interested, the respective consuls or vice-consuls shall appoint skilful persons to settle the damages and average. ARTICLE VII. In cases where, by tempest or other accident, French ships or vesselsPower of consuls in cases of shipwreck. shall be stranded on the coasts of the United States, and ships or vessels of the United States shall be stranded on the coasts of the dominions of the Most Christian King, the consul or vice-consul nearest to the place of shipwreck shall do whatever he may judge proper, as well for the purpose of saving the said ship or vessel, its cargo and appurtenances, as for the storing and the security of the effects and merchandize saved.

He may take an inventory of them, without the intermediating of any officers of the military, of the customs, of justice, or of the police of the country, otherwise than to give to the consuls, vice-consuls, captain and crew of the vessel shipwrecked or stranded, all the succour and favour which they shall ask of them, either for the expedition and security of the saving and of the effects saved, or to prevent all disturbance. And in order to prevent all kind of dispute and discussion in the said cases of shipwreck, it is agreed, that when there shall be no consul or vice-consul to attend to the saving of the wreck, or that the residence of the said consul or vice-consul (he not being at the place of the wreck) shall be more distant from the said place than that of the competent judge of the country, the latter shall immediately proceed therein, with all the dispatch, certainty and precautions prescribed by the respective laws; but the said territorial judge shall retire on the arrival of the consul or vice-consul, and shall deliver over to him the report of his proceedings, the expenses of which the consul or vice-consul shall cause to be reimbursed to him, as well as those of saving the wreck.

The merchandize and effects saved shall be deposited in the nearest custom-house, or other place of safety, with the inventory 111 mains, de même que dans celles de tout autre individu quelconque, et en poursuivre la vente jusqu’au paiement de ce qui leur sera légitimement dû; lorsque les dettes n’auront été contractées par jugement, par acte, ou par billet dont la signature sera reconnue, le paiement ne pourra en être ordonné qu’en fournissant par le créancier caution suffisante et domiciliée de rendre les sommes indûment perçues, principal, intérêts et fraix; les quelles cautions cependant demeureront dûment déchargées après une année, en tems de paix, et deux, en tems de guerre, si la demande en décharge ne peut être formée avant ces délais contre les héritiers qui se présenteront.

Et afin de ne pas faire injustement attendre aux héritiers les effets du défunt, les consuls et vice-consuls feront annoncer sa mort dans quelqu’une des gazettes qui se publient dans l’étendue de leur consulat, et qu’ils retiendront les dits effets sous leurs mains pendant quatre mois pour répondre à toutes les demandes qui se présenteront: et ils seront tenus, après ce délai, de délivrer aux héritiers, l’excédent du montant des demandes qui auront été formées. ARTICLE VI. Les consuls et vice-consuls respectifs recevront les déclarations, protestations et rapports de tous capitaines et patrons de leur nation respective, pour raison d’avaries essuyées à la mer, et ces capitaines et patrons remettront dans la chancellerie des dits consuls et vice-consuls les actes qu’ils auront faits dans d’autres ports pour les accidents qui leur seront arrivés pendant leur voyage.

Si un sujet du Roi très Chrétien et un habitant des Etats Unis, ou un étranger, sont intéressés dans la dite cargaison, l’avarie sera réglée par les tribunaux du païs, et non par les consuls et vice-consuls; mais lorsqu’il n’y aura d’intéressés que les sujets ou citoyens de leur propre nation, les consuls ou les vice-consuls respectifs nommeront des experts pour régler les dommages et avaries. ARTICLE VII. Dans le cas où, par tempête, ou autres accidents, des vaisseaux ou bâtiments Français échouieront sur les côtes des Etats Unis, et des vaisseaux et bâtiments des Etats Unis échouieront sur les côtes des Etats de sa Majesté très Chrétienne, le consul ou le vice-consul, le plus proche du lieu du naufrage, pourra faire tout ce qu’il jugera convenable, tant pour sauver le dit vaisseau ou bâtiment, son chargement et apartenances, que pour le magasinage et la sûreté des effets sauvés et marchandises.

Il pourra en faire l’inventaire, sans qu’aucuns officiers militaires, des douanes, de justice ou de police du païs, puissent s’y immiscer autrement que pour faciliter aux consuls et vice-consuls, capitaine et équipage du vaisseau naufragé, ou échoué, tous les secours et faveurs qu’ils leur demanderont, soit pour la célébrité, et la sûreté du sauvetage et des effets sauvés, soit pour éviter tous désordres. Pour prévenir même toute espèce de conflit et de discutation dans les dits cas de naufrage, il a été convenu que lorsqu’il ne se trouvera pas de consul ou vice-consul pour faire travailler au sauvetage, ou que la résidence du dit consul ou vice-consul, qui ne se trouvera pas sur le lieu du naufrage, sera plus éloignée du dit lieu que celle du juge territorial compétent, ce dernier pourra procéder sur le champ avec toute la célébrité, la sûreté et les précautions prescrites par les loix respectives; sauf au dit juge territorial à se retirer, le consul ou vice-consul survenant, et à lui remettre l’expédition des procédures par lui faites, dont le consul ou vice-consul lui fera rembourser les fraix, ainsi que ceux du sauvetage.

Les marchandises et effets sauvés devront être déposés à la douane ou autre lieu de sûreté le plus prochain avec l’inventaire qui en aura été dressé par le consul ou vice-consul, ou en leur absence par le juge qui en aura connu, 112 thereof, which shall have been made by the consul or vice-consul, or by the judge who shall have proceeded in their absence, that the said effects and merchandize may be afterwards delivered, (after levying therefrom the costs) and without form of process, to the owners, who being furnished with an order for their delivery from the nearest consul or vice-consul, shall reclaim them by themselves, or by their order, either for the purpose of re-exporting such merchandize, in which case they shall pay no kind of duty of exportation, or for that of selling them in the country, if they be not prohibited there, and in this last case, the said merchandize, if they be damaged, shall be allowed an abatement of entrance duties, proportioned to the damage they have sustained, which shall be ascertained by the affidavits taken at the time the vessel was wrecked or struck.

ARTICLE VIII. The consuls or vice-consuls shall exercise police over all the vesselsPower of consuls respecting vessels of their own nation. of their respective nations, and shall have on board the said vessels all power and jurisdiction in civil matters, in all the disputes which may there arise; they shall have an entire inspection over the said vessels, their crew, and the changes and substitutions there to be made; for which purpose they may go on board the said vessels whenever they may judge it necessary.

Well understood that the functions hereby allowed shall be confined to the interior of the vessels, and that they shall not take place in any case which shall have any interference with the police of the ports where the said vessels shall be. ARTICLE IX. The consuls and vice-consuls may cause to be arrested the captains,Power of consuls in regard to deserters, and mode of proceeding. officers, mariners, sailors, and all other persons, being part of the crews of the vessels of their respective nations, who shall have deserted from the said vessels, in order to send them back and transport them out of the country:

For which purpose, the said consuls and vice-consuls shall address themselves to the courts, judges and officers competent, and shall demand the said deserters in writing, proving by an exhibition of the registers of the vessel or ship’s roll, that those men were part of the said crews; and on this demand so proved (saving however where the contrary is proved) the delivery shall not be refused; and there shall be given all aid and assistance to the said consuls and vice-consuls for the search, seizure and arrest of the said deserters, who shall even be detained and kept in the prisons of the country, at their request and expense until they shall have found an opportunity of sending them back; but if they be not sent back within three months, to be counted from the day of their arrest, they shall be set at liberty, and shall be no more arrested for the same cause.

ARTICLE X. In cases where the respective subjects or citizens shall have committedCitizens amenable for crimes to the judges of the country. any crime, or breach of the peace, they shall be amenable to the judges of the country. ARTICLE XI. When the said offenders shall be a part of the crew of a vessel of theirHow to proceed when offenders withdraw on board their vessels. nation, and shall have withdrawn themselves on board the said vessel, they may be there seized and arrested by order of the judges of the country:

These shall give notice thereof to the consul or vice-consul, who may repair on board if he thinks proper: But this notification shall not in any case delay execution of the order in question. The persons arrested shall not afterwards be set at liberty until the consul or vice- 113 pour les dits effets et marchandises être ensuite délivrés après le prélèvement des fraix, et sans forme de procès, aux propriétaires, qui, munis de la main-levée du consul ou vice-consul le plus proche, les réclameront par eux-mêmes, ou par leurs mandataires, soit pour réexporter les marchandises, et dans ce cas elles ne paieront aucune espèce de droits de sortie, soit pour les vendre dans le païs, si elles n’y sont pas prohibées; et dans ce dernier cas, les dites marchandises se trouvant avariées, on leur accordera une modération sur les droits d’entrée proportionnée au dommage souffert, lequel sera constaté par le procès verbal dressé lors du naufrage ou de l’échoüement.

ARTICLE VIII. Les consuls ou vice-consuls éxerceront la police sur tous les batiments de leurs nations respectives, et auront à bord des dits bâtiments tout pouvoir et jurisdiction en matière civile dans toutes les discussions qui pourront y survenir; ils auront une entière inspection sur les dits bâtiments, leurs équipages et les changements et remplacements à y faire; pour quel effet ils pourront se transporter à bord des dits bâtiments toutes les fois qu’ils le jugeront nécessaire; bien entendu que les fonctions ci-dessus énoncées seront concentrées dans l’intérieur des bâtiments, et qu’elles ne pourront avoir lieu dans aucun cas qui aura quelque rapport avec la police des ports où les dits bâtiments se trouveront.

ARTICLE IX. Les consuls et vice-consuls pourront faire arrêter les capitaines, officiers, mariniers, matelots et toutes autres personnes faisant partie des équipages des bâtiments de leurs nations respectives, qui auraient déserté des dits bâtiments, pour les renvoyer et faire transporter hors du païs. Auquel effet les dits consuls et vice-consuls s’adresseront aux tribunaux, juges, et officiers compétents et leur feront, par écrit, la demande des dits déserteurs, en justifiant par l’exhibition des régistres du bâtiment ou rôle d’équipage, que ces hommes faisaient partie des susdits équipages.

Et sur cette demande, ainsi justifiée, sauf toutefois la preuve contraire, l’extradition ne pourra être refusée; et il sera donné toute aide et assistance aux dits consuls et vice-consuls pour la recherche, saisie et arrestation des susdits déserteurs, lesquels seront même détenus et gardés dans les prisons du païs, à leur réquisition, et à leurs frais jusqu’à ce qu’ils aient trouvé occasion de les renvoyer. Mais s’ils n’étoient renvoyés dans le délai de trois mois à compter du jour de leur arrêt, ils seront élargis, et ne pourront plus être arrêtés pour la même cause.

ARTICLE X. Dans le cas où les sujets ou citoyens respectifs auront commis quelque crime ou infraction de la tranquillité publique, ils seront justiciables des juges du païs. ARTICLE XI. Lorsque les dits coupables feront partie de l’equipage de l’un des bâtiments de leur nation, et se seront retirés à bord des dits navires, ils pourront y être saisis et arrêtés par l’ordre des juges territoriaux: ceux-ci en préviendront le consul ou vice-consul, lequel pourra se rendre à bord s’il le juge à-propos: mais cette prévenance ne pourra en aucun cas retarder l’exécution de l’ordre dont il est question.

Les personnes arrêtées ne pourront ensuite être mises en liberté, qu’après que le con- 114 consul shall have been notified thereof; and they shall be delivered to him, if he requires it, to be put again on board of the vessel on which they were arrested, or of others of their nation, and to be sent out of the country. ARTICLE XII. All differences and suits between the subjects of the Most ChristianDisputes between citizens in a foreign country to be settled by consuls. King, in the United States, or between the citizens of the United States, within the dominions of the Most Christian King, and particularly all disputes relative to the wages and terms of engagement of the crews of the respective vessels, and all differences of whatever nature they be, which may arise between the privates of the said crews, or between any of them and their captains, or between the captains of different vessels of their nation, shall be determined by the respective consuls and vice-consuls, either by a reference to arbitrators, or by a summary judgment, and without costs.

No officer of the country, civil or military, shall interfere therein, or take any part whatever in the matter: and the appeals from the said consular sentences shall be carried before the tribunals of France or of the United States, to whom it may appertain to take cognizance thereof. ARTICLE XIII. The general utility of commerce having caused to be establishedTribunals to decide commercial affairs. within the dominions of the Most Christian King, particular tribunals and forms for expediting the decision of commercial affairs, the merchants of the United States shall enjoy the benefit of these establishments; and the Congress of the United States will provide in the manner the most conformable to its laws, for the establishment of equivalent advantages in favour of the French merchants, for the prompt dispatch and decision of affairs of the same nature.

ARTICLE XIV. The subjects of the Most Christian King, and the citizens of theCitizens exempted from personal service in place of settlement. United States, who shall prove by legal evidence, that they are of the said nations respectively, shall in consequence enjoy an exemption from all personal service in the place of their settlement. ARTICLE XV. If any other nation acquires by virtue of any convention whatever, aIf either party grant greater consular privileges to another nation they shall be common to both. treatment more favourable with respect to the consular pre-eminences, powers, authority and privileges, the consuls and vice-consuls of the Most Christian King, or of the United States, reciprocally shall participate therein, agreeable to the terms stipulated by the second, third and fourth articles of the treaty of amity and commerce, concluded between the most Christian King and the United States.

ARTICLE XVI. The present convention shall be in full force during the term ofDuration of this convention. twelve years, to be counted from the day of the exchange of ratifications, which shall be given in proper form, and exchanged on both sides within the space of one year, or sooner if possible. In faith whereof, we, Ministers Plenipotentiary, have signed the present convention, and have thereto set the seal of our arms. Done at Versailles, the 14th of November, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight.

L. C. DE MONTMORIN, (l. s.) THOMAS JEFFERSON, (l. s.) 115 sul ou vice-consul en aura été prévenu, et elles lui seront remises s’il le requiert, pour être reconduites sur les bâtiments où elles auront été arrêtés, ou autres de leur nation, et être renvoyées hors du pais. ARTICLE XII. Tous différends et procès entre les sujets du Roi très Chrétien dans les Etats Unis, ou entre les citoyens des Etats Unis dans les Etats du Roi très Chrétien, et notamment toutes les discussions relatives aux salaires et conditions des engagements des équipages des bâtiments respectifs, et tous différends de quelque nature qu’ils soient, qui pourroient s’élever entre les hommes des dits équipages, ou entre quelques uns d’eux et leurs capitaines, ou entre les capitaines de divers bâtiments nationaux, seront terminés par les consuls et vice-consuls respectifs, soit par un renvoi par devant des arbitres, soit par un jugement sommaire, et sans frais.

Aucun officier territorial, civil ou militaire ne pourra y intervenir, ou prendre une part quelconque à l’affaire, et les appels des dits jugements consulaires seront portés devant les tribunaux de France ou des Etats Unis qui doivent en connaître. ARTICLE XIII. L’utilité générale du commerce ayant fait établir dans les états du Roi très Chrétien, des tribunaux et des formes particulières pour accélérer la décision des affaires de commerce, les négociants des Etats Unis jouiront du bénéfice de ces établissements, et le Congrès des Etats Unis pourvoira de la manière la plus conforme à ses lois, à l’établissement des avantages équivalents en faveur des négociants Français pour la prompte expédition et décision des affaires de la même nature.

ARTICLE XIV. Les sujets du Roi très Chrétien et les citoyens des Etats Unis, qui justifieront authentiquement être du corps de la nation respective, jouiront en conséquence de l’exemption de tout service personnel dans le lieu de leur établissement. ARTICLE XV. Si quelqu’ autre nation acquiert, en vertu d’une convention quelconque, un traitement plus favorable relativement aux pré-éminences, pouvoirs, autorité et privilèges consulaires, les consuls et vice-consuls du Roi très Chrétien ou des Etats Unis, réciproquement, y participeront, aux termes stipulés par les articles deux, trois et quatre, du traité d’amitié et de commerce conclu entre le Roi très Chrétien et les Etats Unis.

ARTICLE XVI. La présente convention aura son plein effet pendant l’espace de douze ans à compter du jour de l’échange des ratifications, lesquelles seront données en bonne forme et échangées de part et d’autre dans l’espace d’un an, ou plutôt si faire se peut. En foi de quoi, nous, Ministres Plénipotentiaires, avons signé la présente convention, et y avons fait apposer le cachet de nos armes. Fait à Versailles, le 14 Novembre, mil sept cent quatre-vingt-huit. L. C. DE MONTMORIN, (l. s.

) THOMAS JEFFERSON, (l. s.) Nov. 19, 1794 Treaty

Connections1 cite this · traces to 1

Cited by 1 section

statutes-at-large