Crampton to Mr. Marcy, April 24, 1854
Mr. Crampton to Mr. Marcy.
The undersigned, her Britannic Majesty’s envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United States of America, has received orders from his government to make to the Secretary of State of the United States the following communication.
Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and his Majesty the Emperor of the French, being compelled to take up arms for the purpose of repelling the aggressions of the Emperor of Russia upon the Ottoman empire, and being desirous to lessen, as much as possible, the disastrous consequences to commerce resulting from a state of warfare, their Majesties have resolved, for the present, not to authorize the issue of letters of marque.
In making this resolution known, they think it right to announce, at the same time, the principle upon which they will be guided, during the course of this war, with regard to the navigation and commerce of neutrals.
Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland has accordingly published the accompanying declaration, which is identical with that published by his Majesty the Emperor of the French.
In thus restricting within the narrowest limits the exercise of their rights as belligerents, the allied governments confidently trust that the governments of countries which may remain neutral during the war will sincerely exert every effort to enforce upon their subjects or citizens the necessity of showing the strictest neutrality.
Her Britannic majesty’s government entertains the confident hope that the United States government will receive with satisfaction the announcement of the resolutions thus taken, in common with the two allied governments, and that it will, in the spirit of just reciprocity, give orders that no privateer under Russian colors shall be equipped, or victualled, or admitted with its prizes in the ports of the United States. And also that the citizens of the United States shall rigorously abstain from taking part in armaments of this nature, or in any other measure opposed to the duties of a strict neutrality.
The undersigned, &c.
Hon. Mr. Marcy, &c., & c.