§ 556. The Final Act of the Vienna Congress,[914] signed on June 9, 1815, by Great Britain, Austria, France, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, Spain, and Sweden-Norway, comprises law-making stipulations of world-wide importance concerning four points—namely, first, the perpetual neutralisation of Switzerland (article 118, No. 11); secondly, free navigation on so-called international rivers (articles 108-117); thirdly, the abolition of the negro slave trade (article 118, No. 15); fourthly, the different classes of diplomatic envoys (article 118, No. 16).
[914] Martens, N.R. II. p. 379. See Angeberg, "Le congrès de Vienne et les traités de 1815" (4 vols., 1863).
Protocol of the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle.
§ 557. The Protocol of November 21 of the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle,[915] 1818, signed by Great Britain, Austria, France, Prussia, and Russia, contains the important law-making stipulation concerning the establishment of a fourth class of diplomatic envoys, the so-called "Ministers Resident," to rank before the Chargés d'Affaires.
[915] Martens, N.R. IV. p. 648. See Angeberg, op. cit.
Treaty of London of 1831.
§ 558. The Treaty of London[916] of November 15, 1831, signed by Great Britain, Austria, France, Prussia, and Russia, comprises in its article 7 the important law-making stipulation concerning the perpetual neutralisation of Belgium.
[916] Martens, N.R. XI. p. 390. See Descamps, "La neutralité de la Belgique" (1902).
Declaration of Paris.
§ 559. The Declaration of Paris[917] of April 13, 1856, signed by Great Britain, Austria, France, Prussia, Russia, Sardinia, and Turkey, is a pure law-making treaty of the greatest importance, stipulating four rules with regard to sea warfare—namely, that privateering is abolished; that the neutral flag covers enemy goods with the exception of contraband of war; that neutral goods, contraband excepted, cannot be confiscated even when sailing under the enemy flag; that a blockade must be effective to be binding.