From: Washburn University Archive of Foreign and International Treaties (http://lawlib.wuacc.edu/forint/forintmain.html)
The Plenipotentiaries who signed the Treaty of Paris of the thirtieth of March,
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, assembled in Conference, --
Considering:
That maritime law, in time of war, has long been the subject of deplorable
disputes;
That the uncertainty of the law and of the duties in such a matter, gives rise
to differences of opinion between neutrals and belligerents which may occasion
serious difficulties, and even conflicts;
That it is consequently advantageous to establish a uniform doctrine on so
important a point;
That the Plenipotentiaries assembled in Congress at Paris cannot better respond
to the intentions by which their Governments are animated, than by seeking to
introduce into international relations fixed principles in this respect;
The above-mentioned Plenipotentiaries, being duly authorized, resolved to
concert among themselves as to the means of attaining this object; and, having
come to an agreement, have adopted the following solemn Declaration:
1. Privateering is, and remains, abolished;
2. The neutral flag covers enemy's goods, with the exception of contraband of
war;
3. Neutral goods, with the exception of contraband of war, are not liable to
capture under enemy's flag;
4. Blockades, in order to be binding, must be effective, that is to say,
maintained by a force sufficient really to prevent access to the coast of the
enemy.
The Governments of the undersigned Plenipotentiaries engage to bring the present
Declaration to the knowledge of the States which have not taken part in the
Congress of Paris, and to invite them to accede to it.
Convinced that the maxims which they now proclaim cannot but be received with
gratitude by the whole world, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries doubt not that
the efforts of their Governments to obtain the general adoption thereof, will be
crowned with full success.
The present Declaration is not and shall not be binding, except between those
Powers who have acceded, or shall accede, to it.
Done at Paris, the sixteenth of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
(Here follow signatures)