§ Mr. Secretary Canning then presented to the house a copy of the said Treaty, as follows:
§ "TREATY OF ALLIANCE AND SUBSIDY, between his majesty the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and his majesty the king of the Two Sicilies—signed at Palermo on the 30th of March, 1808.
§ "His majesty the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and his majesty the king of the Two Sicilies, being equally animated by a sincere desire of strengthening more and more the ties of friendship and good understanding which so happily subsist between them, have judged that nothing could contribute more efficaciously to that salutary end, than the conclusion of a Treaty of Alliance and Subsidy. For this purpose their said majesties have named their respective plenipotentiaries, viz. his Britannic ma- 846 jesty, the right hon. William Drummond, one of his majesty's most hon. privy council, and his envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary at the court of his said Sicilian majesty;—and his majesty the king of the Two Sicilies, the right illustrious and right excellent Thomas de Somma, marquis of Circello, his gentleman of the chamber, field-marshal of his armies, knight of his royal order of St. Januarius, his counsellor of state, secretary of state for the department of foreign affairs, and superintendant general of the ports; who, after having communicated their respective full powers, have agreed upon the following articles:—Art. 1. There shall be a continuance of the sincere and constant friendship between his Britannic majesty and his majesty the king of the Two Sicilies, their heirs and successors, which has always subsisted up to the present time. 2. The two high contracting parties shall afford to each other, during the present war with France, every succour and assistance, in proportion to their respective forces, and shall prevent by common consent, every thing that can cause them trouble or detriment. III. His majesty the king of the Two Sicilies engages to grant to the troops of his Britannic majesty, stationed in the fortresses of Sicily, and to all British ships of war, an exemption from all duties belonging to him, upon every thing of which the British squadrons in the Mediterranean, and the troops of that nation may stand in need, and which the country can furnish, in provisions, food, and in military and naval stores. IV. His Sicilian majesty being desirous of giving an additional proof of the sentiments by which he is animated, also engages to exempt from all duties belonging to him upon such provisions as may be requisite for the British ships of war at Malta, as well as all military stores which are to be found in the country, on condition however, that each vessel or vessels of war be furnished with a requisition from the governor of the said island, which shall specify the articles, and the quantity required. V. His Sicilian majesty further engages in virtue of the present treaty, never to allow the enemies of Great Britain to bring into any of his ports during the present war, any British ships taken by the enemies of Great Britain. VI. His Sicilian majesty also engages to open the ports of the Two Sicilies during the present war, to British squadrons, as well as to all merchant and other ships 847 belonging to British subjects, without any restriction whatever, referring to the third article, with respect to exemption from duties. VII. His Britannic majesty engages in return, to defend during the present war the fortresses of Messina and Augusta, and to maintain there for that purpose, at his charge and expence, a body of troops which, in the present war shall consist of ten thousand men, and to augment their number if the case shall require it. The disposition of which troops in the said fortresses, shall be in such manner and proportion as the commanding officer (to whom every requisite facility shall be given), shall judge expedient: and his Britannic majesty stipulates, that the said general officers shall have the power of exercising martial law in the above-mentioned garrisons, with respect to their British troops, in the same manner, and according to the same rules, as are observed in other English garrisons.—Quarters for the said troops shall be provided in the abovementioned fortresses by his Sicilian majesty. VIII. His Britannic majesty farther engages to pay to his Sicilian majesty, during the continuance of the present war, an annual subsidy of 300,000l. sterl. (to commence from the 10th of September 1805, when the British and Russian troops landed in the Neapolitan territory), payable at the rate of 25,000l. sterling per month; which payment shall always be made one month in advance, computing from the date of the signature of the present treaty. His Sicilian majesty purposing to employ the said subsidies for the use of his marine, and of his land forces, shall regulate the distribution of them in such proportion as these two services may require, for the defence of his states, and for operations against the common enemy, and an account shall be given every three months to the British government, of the manner in which his Sicilian majesty shall have employed the subsidies paid to him by Great Britain. IX. The two high contracting parties desiring to strengthen more and more the ties which unite the two nations, and to extend their mutual relations, will employ themselves, soon as possible, in concluding a treaty of commerce, the articles of which shall be equally advantageous to the subjects of both states. X. His Sicilian majesty engages not to conclude with France a peace separate from England; and his Britannic majesty on his part also engages not to make a peace with France without 848 comprehending and saving in it the interests of his Sicilian majesty. XI. The present treaty of alliance and subsidy, shall be ratified by the two high contracting parties, and the ratification shall be exchanged in due form in London, within the space of four months from the date of its signature, or sooner if possible.—In witness whereof, We, the undersigned, furnished with full powers from our respective sovereigns, have signed the present treaty, and have thereunto affixed the seal of our arms.—Done at Palermo, this 30th day of March, 1808.
§ (L. S.) W. DRUMMOND.
§ (L. S.) THOMAS DE SOMMA."