FORM 2.

FORM 3.

RETURN of Appeals from the Decisions of Consular Courts in Civil Suits, in the Year

TURKEY.

CAPITULATIONS AND ARTICLES OF PEACE BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE, AS AGREED UPON, AUGMENTED, AND ALTERED AT DIFFERENT PERIODS, AND FINALLY CONFIRMED BY THE TREATY OF PEACE, CONCLUDED AT THE DARDANELLES, IN 1809.

"SULTAN MEHEMED, may he live for ever!

"Let everything be observed in conformity to these Capitulations, and contrary thereto let nothing be done.'

"The command under the sublime and lofty signet, which imparts sublimity to every place, and under the imperial and noble Cypher, whose glory is renowned throughout all the world, by the Emperor and Conqueror of the earth, achieved with the assistance of the Omnipotent, and by the special grace of God, is this:

"We, who by Divine grace, assistance, will, and benevolence, now are the King of kings of the world, the Prince of Emperors of every age, the Dispenser of Crowns to monarchs, and the champion Sultan Mehemed, son of Sultan Ibrahim Chan, son of Sultan Ahmed Chan, son of Sultan Mahomet Chan, son of Sultan Murad Chan, son of Selim Chan, son of Sultan Solyman Chan, son of Sultan Selim Chan.

"The most glorious amongst the great Princes professing the faith of Jesus, and the most conspicuous amongst the Potentates of the nation of the Messiah, and the umpire of public differences that exist between Christian nations, clothed with the mantle of magnificence and majesty, Charles the Second, King of England, Scotland, and France and Ireland (whose end terminate in bliss!) having sent an Ambassador to the Sublime Porte in the time of our grandfather, Sultan Murad (whose tomb be ever resplendent!) of glorious memory and full of Divine mercy and pity, with professions of friendship, sincerity, devotion, partiality, and benevolence, and demanding that His subjects might be at liberty to come and go into these parts, which permission was granted to them in the reign of the monarch aforesaid, in addition to various other special commands, to the end that on coming and going, either by land or sea, in their way, passage, and lodging, they might not experience any molestation or hindrance from

any one.

"He represented, in the reign of our grandfather, Sultan Mehemed Chan (whose tomb be ever resplendent!) to our just and overshadowing Porte, His cordial esteem, alliance, sincere friendship, and partiality thereto As such privilege, therefore, had been granted to the kings and sovereigns of France, Venice, and Poland, who profess the

most profound devotion for our most eminent throne, and to others between whom and the Sublime Porte there exists a sincere amity and good understanding; so was the same, through friendship, in like manner granted to the said King; and it was granted Him that His subjects and their interpreters might safely and securely come and trade in these our sacred dominions.

"The Capitulations of sublime dignity and our noble commands having been, through friendship, thus granted to the Kings aforesaid, and the Queen of the abovementioned Kingdoms having heretofore also sent a noble personage with presents to this victorious Porte, which is the refuge and retreat of the Kings of the world, the most exalted place, and the asylum of the Emperors of the universe (which gifts were graciously accepted), and She having earnestly implored the privilege in question, Her entreaties were acceded to, and these our high commands conceded to Her.

"1st. That the English nation and merchants, and all other merchants sailing under the English flag, with their ships and vessels, and merchandise of all descriptions, shall and may pass safely by sea, and go and come into our dominions without any the least prejudice or molestation being given to their persons, property, or effects, by any person whatsoever, but that they shall be left in the undisturbed enjoyment of their privileges, and be at liberty to attend to their affairs.

"2nd. That if any of the English coming into our dominions by land, be molested or detained, such persons shall be instantly released without any further obstruction being given to them.

"3rd. That English ships and vessels entering the ports and harbours of our dominions shall and may at all times safely and securely abide and remain therein, and at their free will and pleasure depart therefrom, without any opposition or hindrance from any one.

"4th. That if it shall happen that any of their ships suffer by stress of weather, and not be provided with necessary stores and requisites, they shall be assisted by all who happen to be present, whether the crews of our imperial ships, or others, both by sea and land.

"5th. That being come into the ports and harbours of our dominions they shall and may be at liberty to purchase at their pleasure, with their own money, provisions and all other necessary articles, and to provide themselves with water, without interruption or hindrance from any one.

"6th. That if any of their ships be wrecked upon any of the coasts of our dominions, all Beys, Cadis, Governors, Commandants, and others our servants, who may be near or present, shall give them all help, protection, and assistance, and restore to them whatsoever goods and effects may be driven ashore; and in the event of any plunder

being committed, they shall make diligent search and inquiry to find out the property, which, when recovered, shall be wholly restored to them.

"7th. That the merchants, interpreters, brokers, and others of the said nation, shall and may, both by sea and land, come into our dominions, and there trade with the most perfect security; and in coming and going, neither they nor their attendants shall receive any the least obstruction, molestation, or injury, either in their persons or property, from the Beys, Cadis, sea-captains, soldiers, and others, our slaves.

"8th. That, if an Englishman, either for his own debt, or as surety for another, shall abscond, or become bankrupt, the debt shall be demanded from the real debtor only; and unless the creditor be in possession of some security given by another, such person shall not be arrested, nor the payment of such debt be demanded of him.

"9th. That in all transactions, matters and business occurring between the English, and merchants of the countries to them subject, their attendants, interpreters, and brokers, and other persons in our dominions, with regard to sales and purchases, credits, traffic, or security, and all other legal matters, they shall be at liberty to repair to the judge, and there make a hoget, or public authentic act, with witness, and register the suit, to the end that if in future any difference or dispute shall arise, they may both observe the said register and hoget; and when the suit shall be found conformable thereto, it shall be observed accordingly. Should no such hoget, however, have been obtained from the judge, and false witnesses only are produced, their suit shall not be listened to, but justice be always administered according to the legal hoget.

“10th. That if any shall calumniate an Englishman, by asserting that he hath been injured by him, and producing false witnesses against him, our judges shall not give ear to them, but the cause shall be referred to his Ambassador, in order to his deciding the same, and that he may always have recourse to his protection.

"11th. That if an Englishman having committed an offence, shall make his escape, no other Englishman, not being security for him, shall under such pretext, be taken or molested.

"12th. That if an Englishman, or subject of England, be found to be a slave in our states, and be demanded by the English Ambassador or Consul, due inquiry and examination shall be made into the causes thereof, and such person being found to be English, shall be immediately released, and delivered up to the Ambassador or Consul.

"13th. That all Englishmen and subjects of England, who shall dwell or reside in our dominions, whether they be married or single, artisans or merchants, shall be exempt from all tribute.