Page:The European Concert in the Eastern Question.djvu/32

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GREECE.

Punta.6. The fort of Punta, as has been said above, being intended to remain to the Porte to complete the means of defence of Prévésa, and in order the better to secure the safety of its commerce, they shall only be permitted therein a garrison sufficient for the occupation of that post; it is understood, that the Ottoman Authorities will not oppose any obstacle to the passage of Greek Vessels; and, excepting Customs' dues, and other imposts which would be due to the Sublime Porte in cases where vessels may put into Punta, Prévésa, or other Turkish Ports of the Gulf of Arta, the Authorities shall demand nothing for the passage.

Options of removal and sale.7. A term of eighteen months, dating from the day on which the labours of the demarcation shall have been completed, is accorded to such individuals as may desire to quit the territories which form the object of the present arrangement, and to sell their estates. This term of eighteen months may, in special cases, and under unforeseen circumstances, be prolonged some months, and a commission of arbitration shall determine on the validity of these cases for exception, and shall assist in causing the sales to be effected at a fair price.

The same advantages are accorded to the inhabitants of the Island of Eubea and of Attica, and to the proprietors of Thebes, who would, at the present day, be in the receipt of their rightful revenues, if that district were occupied by the Ottoman troops, at the date of the assent of the Porte to the preceding arrangements of the 3rd of February, 1830.

It is understood that these individuals will alike be allowed to dispose, and within the same period, of any beneficial interest which they may have, either as tenants, or as hereditary administrators, in the vacoufs, the whole of which is transferred to the Greek State.

Commerce with Turkey.8. In conformity with the preceding stipulations, the Government of the new King of Greece will have the power of entering into negotiation for the purpose of regulating its relations of commerce and navigation with the Sublime Porte on a principle of reciprocity ; and agents duly accredited on either side shall be received in the ports of Turkey and Greece, according to the usual forms, so that Ottoman subjects shall have an acknowledged right to traffick at their will in the State of Greece, and that, on their side, the Greeks shall cease to have recourse to foreign protection for frequenting the ports and trading-towns of the Ottoman Empire.

The undersigned Plenipotentiaries of the three Courts, and