Donber Cubtius to neutrality, April 16, 1854

No. 2.—Circular with reference to neutrality.

Translation of circular of April 16, 1851.

The minister of foreign affairs and the minister of justice, empowered thereto by the King, warn by these presents all inhabitants of the kingdom not to engage in any manner whatever, during the present war, in privateering, as no lettres de marque given by belligerent powers, without consent of the Dutch government, to Dutch citizens, will have any legal force.

[576] The ministers aforesaid further announce to the public that the Dutch government, observing a strict neutrality, will not grant sanction to commissions or lettres de marque, and that, therefore, the King’s subjects, and all those who for any reason whatever are subject to the laws of the kingdom who, on such documents, should engage in privateering or help thereto, can be considered by other powers as pirates and treated as such, and will be prosecuted by Dutch judges, and for crime against the *safety of the state, and for robbery on the highway.