Treaty of Paris (1815)/Tarif annexed to the Convention relative to the occupation of a military line

The Allied Sovereigns having entrusted Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington with the command in chief of that portion of their troops which, by Art. V. of the Treaty concluded this day with France, is to remain in that country for a certain number of years, the undersigned Ministers of the Cabinets, &c. &c. &c. think it advisable to come to an understanding with his Excellency the Duke de Richlieu upon the nature and extent of the powers attached to this command.

Although chiefly led to the adoption of this measure by motives of consideration for the security and welfare of their own subjects, and far from having the intention of employing their troops in the maintenance of the police or interior administration of Francs, or of interfering with or shackling the free exercise of the royal authority in that country the Allied Sovereigns have, nevertheless, in consideration of the high interest which induces them to strengthen the authority of the legitimate Sovereign promised to his Most Christian Majesty, to support him with their arras against all revolutionary convulsion, tending to overturn by force the state of things actually established', and which would thus threaten anew the tranquillity of Europe.

But not forgetting that under the variety of shapes in which the revolutionary spirit might still show itself in France there might be doubts as to what cases might require the interference of a foreign force, and being well aware of the difficulty of giving precise instructions, applicable to each particular case, the Allied Sovereigns have thought it most advisable to confide to the known prudence and discretion of the Duke of Wellington, the determination of the time and mode in which it would be proper to employ the troops under his orders, in a full confidence that he will in no case act without having previously conceited his measures with his Majesty the King of France, and that he will acquaint, as soon as possible, the Allied Sovereigns with the motives which have engaged him to take his determinations.

And, as in order to assist the Duke of Wellington, in the choice of his dispositions, it will be important that he should be accurately informed of the events which take place in France, the ministers of the four Allied Courts accredited to his Most Christian Majesty have received orders to keep up jointly a regular correspondence with his grace, and to be at the same time the regular channel of communication between the French government and the Commander in Chief of the Allied troops, for the purpose of forwarding to the French government those communications which the Duke of Wellington may have to address to it, and also transmit to the Field Marshal those views and applications which the Court of France might wish he should receive.

The undersigned hope that the Duke de Richelieu will perceive in these arrangements the same character and the same principles in which the measure of the military occupation of part of France has been conceived and adopted. They, moreover, carry with them, in quitting this country, the consolatory persuasion, that notwithstanding the elements of disorder which France may still contain in consequence of the revolutionary events, a wise and paternal government, acting on principles adapted to compose and conciliate the minds of the people, and abstaining from all acts contrary to such system will succeed not only in maintaining the public repose, but also in re-establishing universal union and confidence, while it will relieve the Allied Powers, as far as the measures of the government will admit, from the painful necessity of recurring to the adoption of means, which, in the event of renewed disorder, would be imperiously prescribed to them by the duty of providing for the security of their own subjects, and the general tranquillity of Europe.

The undersigned, &c.

Paris, November 20th, 1815.