POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL 15 



the United States could trade with the 

 whole world, subject to such local and co- 

 lonial regulations as each country might 

 impose, and the right to impose such regu- 

 lations, however burdensome, was not de- 

 nied. In war, however, where America was 

 neutral, many of these restrictions were re- 

 moved as the advantage to each belligerent 

 might require, but she was still subject 

 to the disadvantages under which inter- 

 national law placed all neutrals. 



What were the rights of neutrals was a 

 disputed question. England, with her su- 

 premacy on the sea, naturally took one 

 view and the rest of the world another, but 

 there were some points on which all agreed 

 and these we will first consider. 



A vessel owned by a neutral power and 

 carrying a cargo not owned by either bel- 

 ligerent might trade with either belligerent 

 provided she carried no contraband of 

 war. A man-of-war or privateer might stop 

 any neutral vessel to examine her papers, 

 ascertain her destination, and examine for 



