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220 G G FLORESCU 14

the Porte m certain internat problems of the Principalities,⁶⁷ Prince Cuza firmly replied that the Romanian-Turkish relations had an exclu-sive inter-state character ⁶⁸. The Romaman agent in Belgrade described the position adopted by Serbia, concerning the incident, as follows : “Approbation unanime pour la rśponse du Prince-Rśgnant a Fuad Pacha” ⁸⁹.

The United Principalities afforded a substantial diplomatic support to Serbia on the occasion of the conveyance of Serbian weapons. ⁷⁰ In spite of the opposition of the Great Powers ⁷¹ Prince Cuza, following the insis-tance of the Serbian ruling prince⁷² ordered the transport to be carried out, thus assuming all responsibility for the step taken in this respect and which he considered legitimate and justified.⁷³

In order to support the diplomatic action of the Principalities, the ruling prince of Serbia assured the Porte and the guaranteeing powers that the weapons had not been acąuired for purposes hostile to Turkey but to meet the reąuirements of the Serbian army.⁷⁴ The transport was carried out and the weapons delivered to Serbia, the entire incident being considered closed, ⁷⁵ as asserted T. Callimaki⁷⁸ : “Le fait actompli mettra tout le monde d’accord” ⁷⁷.

The mutual diplomatic assistance awarded by Serbia and the Prin-cipahties ⁷⁸ is significantly mirrored in the report of the Serbian agent addressed to his Government: “Le ministóre des affaires ótrangóres de la Sublime Porte se plaint de ce que les relations du Gouyernement serbe avee le prince Cousa prennent un caract&re sśrieux et ne yisent k rien moins qu’a próparer la sśparation des Principautśs tributaires” ⁷⁸, i.e. to acquire State independence.

¹⁷ See Fuad Pasha to Cuza, Constantmople, September 2, 1865, Library of the Academy, Romaman MS no. 4862, sheet 295^r—295^T.

^,# See Prince Cuza to Fuad Pasha, Bucharest, October 29/November 10, 1865, loc cit., Romaman MS no 4860, sheet 406^r — 411^r; Archwes Diplomatigues, vol. II, Paris, 1866, p. 272 and foli.

•• See United Principalities' agent in Belgrade to Cuza^ps Gabinet, Belgrade, December 5, loc. cit., Cuza Archwes, vol. no. XIV, sheet 592^r.

⁷⁰    See T. V. Rikcr, Cum s-a Infaptuit Romdma (The Making of Romania), Bucharest, 1940, p 185 and foli.

⁷¹    See MAE, vol. no. 277, sheet 86^r —87^r.

⁷²    See Serbian ruling Prince to ruling Prince of the United Principalities, Belgrade, December 3, 1862, loc. cit, sheet 42^r.

⁷³    See Ruling Prince of the United Principalities to Serbian Ruling Prince, Bucharest, December 4, 1862, loc cit sheet 45^r

⁷⁴    See Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia to the Serbian agent in Bucharest, December 17, 1862, loc. cit., sheet 104^r.

⁷⁴ See Library of the Academy, Romaman MS no 864, sheet 358^r —359^r.

⁷⁴ Secretary of the United Principalities' Agency m Constantmople at this time.

⁷⁷ See T. Callimaki to Cuza’s Cabmct, Constantmople, December 5, 1862, MAE, vol. no. 277, sheet 62^r

^7ł See G Jaksió and J. Vuckovi6, op cit, p. 180

⁷⁴ Notę of January 14. 1864* MAE. vol. no. 278. sheet 36^r—39^T.