No. 30

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, on the 16th Inst
of your Grace's Circular Despatch dated on the 31st of March 1854,
transmitting copies of the following instruments.

1. The Queen's declaration of the 28th March last of Her
Majesty's intention to take up arms in conjunction with the Emperor of
the French, for the defence of the Sultan against Russia.

2. The Queen's declaration of the same date, announcing 
that it
is Her Majesty's intention, so far to waive the belligerent rights
appertaining to Her, by the Law of Nations, as to forego the exercise of
Her right of seizing Enemy's property laden on board a neutral vessel,
unless it be contraband of war, and further announcing that Her Majesty
will not claim the confiscation of Neutral property, not being
contraband of war, found on board, enemy's Ships; and that it is not Her
Majesty's intention to issue Letters of Marque, for the Commissioning of
Privateers.

At the same time announcing that Her Majesty has not thought proper
to forego the exercise of Her right of seizing articles contraband of
war, and of preventing neutrals from bearing the enemy's Despatches, and from breaking effective blockades.

Your Grace has also intimated in the same Despatch, that formal
instructions for the performance of the duties which devolve on me, at the present crisis will be transmitted by the earliest opportunity.