Indian Antiquary Vol 47

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 97

APRIL, 1918 ] AUSTRIA'S COMMERCIAL VENTURE IN INDIA
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They are directed to conform, as far as circumstances will admit of, to the existing maritime Regulations of the late Empress for Trieste and to those adopted in this Country-To take cognizance of all Ships which come within their district under the Imperial Flag-To cause the Captains and Officers [to] produce their Passports and requisite authority for carrying that Flag-To keep proper accounts and Registers of the whole, granting their certificate of such papers having been only produced and in the proper form, and they are to request of the Governors, &c. in India to pay no respect to the assumed Flag of such Ships as are not provided with such Passports and comply with these forms. And also upon the certainty of illegal proceedings of this nature, they are to ask the protection and assistance of all Governors &c. that they may be enabled to deal with such subjects unauthorized according to the aforementioned regulations now making. And if those assuming the Emperor's Flag are not Imperial Subjects the Consuls or their Deputies or Vice Consuls are to give any public declarations or certificates of it which may be necessary to enable them in whose ports they are to seize them or deal with them as they please, renouncing all claims on that account on the part of the Emperor.
They are, on the other hand, to protect, as far as in their power, and endeavour to obtain protection from those in power, in favour of all Imperial Ships and Subjects duly anthorized by His Majesty to trade beyond the Cape of Good Hope, to call them before them, hear and determine their disputes and differences among themselves, take depositions, grant certificates valid in Law here, give sentences to be executed subject to appeal here, and in short, to act in general as other Imperial Consuls do in foreign Countries, but always with the concurrence, where needful, and under the protection of the Governor &c, in whose Presidencies or Districts the Circumstances occur. They are to make proper Reports to the Emperor of their proceedings and in general to maintain, as far as in their power, good order and tranquillity among his subjects who trade to India or are there properly authorized—to encourage this trade and obtain for ther: such indulgences and favours as they may stand in need of, but to take care those placed thus under their authority commit no offence against the laws in the places they frequent, and should that happen, to assist as far as in their power in bringing them to justice and obliging them to make proper reparation.
You may look upon these as the chief principles and substance of the Instructions to be given to the Consuls General, and the Viscount de Walckiers would be glad you could learn whether any stronger restrictions or injunctions ought to be added for the satisfaction of the British Government or the East India Company. In that case, it will only require a hint from him to have it done, for Government here are determined to put a stop to all the abuses which have of late been committed under the Imperial Flag.
Our friend the Viscount is also very anxious to know if the orders are given for admitting those Consuls, especially the one in Bengal. I wish you could learn something about this and write to him, if you do not pay us a visit in your way to Paris, but we firmly expect to see you.
(THE END.]