Directory_and_Chronicle_1882 — Page 889

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TREATY BETWEEN FRANCE AND CAMBODIA.

Art. XI.-All articles of commerce which traders take from Cambodia to Cochin- China, if the Cambodian Custom-bonse officers have already collected the duty on them and the "Tangkau" has a pass from the Cambodian authorities, which will be countersigned by the French Consul, will be permitted to be sold in the French territory free of duty.

Art. XII.-If any French subject in pursuit of science come to Cambodia, he must inform the Cambodian authorities, who will render assistance and provide for his safe conduct.

Art. XIII.-If French ships or junks be plundered by pirates anywhere within the Cambodian territory at any time, and the Cambodian authorities of that place are informed of the circumstance, they will examine the matter, scize and punish the robbers according to law, and the property recovered will be restored to the owners or to the French Consul, who will deliver it over to the owners. If the robbers are not found, and no property recovered, and if the Cambodian authorities have made every search without success, the said authorities will not be held responsible. The above is also applicable to the property of French subjects in Cambodia.

Art. XIV-If Cambodian ships or junks be plundered by pirates in the French dominions, the French authorities of the nearest place on being informed will search for the robbers, seize and punish them according to law, and tre property recovered will be restored to the owners; if the owners be absent, to the Cambodian officers for transmission to them. If after making search for the robbers and property the French officers do not find them, they are not to be held responsible. If Cambodian officers in French territory be plundered of any kind of property the above is also applicable to them, and if the French officers have done their utmost to find the robbers and property, but without success, they will not be made answerable.

Art. XV.-All French Bishops have authority to teach religion throughout the territories of Cambodia, and the Cambodians will offer no impediment to their doing so. If they wish to build churches, schools, or hospitals, they will inform the Cambodian authorities, whose consent will be necessary.

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Art. XVI-The Emperor of the French recognises the Prince of Cambodia as a Igitimate Prince, and agrees to assist him in preserving peace and friendship, and to protect Cambodia from her enemies and from the oppression of other countries. Emperor of the French will honestly assist the Prince so as to enable him to collect duties from the traders and to enable them to proceed to sea.

Art. XVII.-In order that the foregoing article may be easily carried into effect, the French Commander-in-chief, Governor of Saigon, desires some land at "Charvey Chung," to build houses for coals and godowns for rice for the French vessels. The Prince of Cambodia agrees to give the said land at "Charvey Chung," viz., from the north of the fort and stockades of 15 sen (1,800 feet). If any Cambod an temple ground intervene it must be avoi led, and such ground to continue to remain and belong to the said temples. If the French Commander-in-chief desires any more land anywhere, the Prince and his nobles, it after consideration they find a piece suitable, will grant it on the same conditions as at "Charvey Chung."

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Art. XVIII.-In order to show their gratitude for the protection afforded by the Emperor of the French for the purpose of promoting th peace and prosperity of the country, the Cambodians agree that it the French wish to cut timber in the Cambodian forests for the purpose of building the ships of the Emperor of the French, they shall be permitted to do so, upon informing the Cambodian authorities, who will send instructions to the Governors of the Interior to that effect. On the part of the French they agree to pay all expenses incuried. If the French buy any merchandise in Cambodia they will be permitted to do so with facility, the price of such merchandise to be arranged between the purchaser and seller.

Art. XIX. This treaty being concluded, requires only the Emperor of the French's consent by placing his seal on it; three copies have been made. The Prince of Cambodia, Somdeich Oug Phra Norodom, has signed and sealed them, together with the Franc Couman·ler-in-chief.

Dated Udong, 11th August, 1863.