London Times, 17 November 1857, p. 7: RUSSIA.
Le Nord publishes the text of the rescript by which, with the exception of Anapa, Soukhoum-Kalé, and Redout-Kalé, all other Russian ports on the coast of the Black Sea are closed to the vessels of the other Powers. It is as follows: --
"Since the restoration of peace some doubts may have arisen relative to the navigation and commerce of foreign nations in the Black Sea. It is, therefore, with a view to put an end of doubt on the subject that the Imperial Government deems it advisable to make the following communication to the public, and especially to foreign commerce.
"As solemnly proclaimed by the treaty of Paris, the waters and ports of the Black Sea are open to the commercial navies of all nations. Free from all restrictions, commerce in the waters and ports of the Black Sea is subject only to regulations of quarantine, customs, and police in a spirit favourable to commercial transactions.
"Such are the express terms of the Treaty of Paris. It is the intention of the Imperial Government to adhere scrupulously thereto in so for [sic] as it is concerned.
"But the regulations for health, customs, and police, however liberal may be the spirit in which they are conceived, renders necessary measures of surveillance, and along the Asiatic coast of the Black Sea they are doubly necessary in consequence of the internal state of the provinces of the Caucasus.
"Establishment for quarantine and customs exist at Anapa, Soukhoum-Kalé, and Redout-Kalé. Consequently, for the moment, those three points are alone open to foreign vessels. If, eventually, circumstances should allow the establishment of customs and quarantine offices in other localities on the coast, and to admit thereto foreign vessels, due notice will be given to commerce. Meantime the approach to ports, bays, and havens on the Asiatic coast, with the exception of Anapa, Soukhoum-Kalé, and Redout-Kalé, is prohibited to foreign vessels.
"To certify the regularity of their destination foreign vessels are bound to have their ship papers viséd by the Russian consular agents.
"The Imperial Government does not wish in any manner to obstruct or impede the development of licit and regular commercial transactions. It is in the sanitary interest of its coasts much more than in fiscal interest, it is in the interest of public order, as beneficial to foreign commercial transactions as to those of the natives themselves, that the Imperial Government will endorse -- as it has a perfect right to do -- the observance of the restrictions above announced. Any attempt of the masters of foreign ships to communicate with the coast -- with the exception of Anapa, Soukhoum-Kalé, and Redout-Kalé -- will therefore render it necessary for the Russian authorities to have recourse to those measures of repression established against smuggling and against every infringement of the sanitary laws. Those who expose themselves thereto must take the consequences of their conduct upon themselves."
Provided by Stephen McLaughlin