An Account of the Dispute between Russia, Sweden & Denmark, and Great Britain/Introduction
Although the convention ſigned at Petersburgh, on the 17th June, 1801, between Lord St Helen’s and Count Panin will not be made public till after it has been ratified by our King and the Emperor of Ruſſia, the following ſtatement proves it to be as favourable to the intereſts of this country as could be deſired.
It is not confined to an adjuſtment of the immediate diſpute between Britain and Ruſſia, and to a compenſation for the loſſes ſuſtained by Britiſh ſubjects, in conſequence of the embargo impoſed in Russia on Britiſh ſhipping (although both theſe objects are effectually ſecured by the Convention,) but it alſo contains a preciſe ſtatement of the ſystem to be permanently eſtabliſhed between Britain and Ruſſia, with reſpect to the rights and ⟨duties⟩ of Neutral and Belligerent Powers. This ſyſtem is founded on thoſe principles of Maritime Law which have been uniformly aſſerted by Great Britain, and which are ſolemnly recognized in this convention, and declared to ⟨be⟩ the rule of conduct to be invariably obſerved between ⟨the⟩ two nations when one may be in a neutral, and the ⟨other⟩ in a belligerent ſtate.
Most important Regulations are eſtabliſhed for the preventing of enemies ſhips ſailing under neutral colours and for providing as effectually as the nature of the ⟨call⟩ will admit, againſt those abuſes of the Neutral flags, ⟨which⟩ have been so juſtly a ſubject of complaint on the part ⟨of⟩ our country.
This Convention includes alſo a treaty of alliance, offensive and defenſive.
The Daniſh and Swediſh monarchs are invited to accede to this Convention, as the terms on which they ſhall receive back their conquered Colonies.