106 NOMOLOGY. 



ought to do each other as much good in peace, and as little harm in 

 war, as possible, consistently with the attainment of their just and 

 reasonable objects. 



Perhaps the earliest example of International Law, was afforded by 

 the Grecian States, in the establishment of the Jlmphictyonic Coun- 

 cil ; which was designed to settle all disputes between them ; though 

 it failed of success. Rome, in its infancy, made some approach to 

 an international code ; particularly in the institution of a college of 

 heralds, and of the fecial law : and this subject found an able advocate 

 in Cicero ; but still the principles of just intercourse with other na- 

 tions were often violated. At a later period, when the Roman Law 

 became most highly cultivated, the law of nations was incorporated 

 therein, to a considerable extent, though not in a separate or syste- 

 matic form. Since that period, the Christian religion, the crusades, 

 the institution of chivalry, the feudal system, and the family alliances 

 of European sovereigns, have successively favored the development 

 of International Law, as now generally recognised and understood. 



The great work of Grotius, On the Rights of War and of Peace. 

 (De Jure Belli et Pacis), published in 1025, was the first which re- 

 duced International Law to a regular system ; procuring for its author 

 the title of father of this science. PurTendorf, in his work On the 

 Law of Nature and of Nations, (De Jure Naturae et Gentium), pub- 

 lished in 1672, treated the subject in a highly philosophical manner: 

 but the treatise of Vattel on the Law of Nations, (Droits des Gens), 

 first published in 1758, has contributed, perhaps, more than any other 

 work, to give influence and popularity to this important study. The 

 influence of these and similar works, in modern times, is shown, we 

 think, in the frequency of treaty stipulations ; settling points of inter- 

 national law, at least between the parties concerned, which, in former 

 times, might have caused long and bloody wars, and finally have been 

 decided by force, rather than by justice. 



We proceed to treat farther of International Law, under the heads 

 of Laws of Nations in Peace ; Laws of Nations in "War ; Maritime 

 Law ; and Commercial Law. 



1. The Laws of Nations in Peace, depend upon the principle 

 that nations, like moral persons, are responsible for their actions, and 

 equal in respect to their rights and duties ; whatever difference may 

 exist in their strength, extent, forms of government, or systems of re- 

 ligion. Every nation therefore has a right to choose its own form of 

 government; to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over its own territory, 

 and the adjacent waters, so far as may be necessary for its defence ; 

 and to regulate its commerce and intercourse with other nations; 

 provided always that it observe the principles of justice, including of 

 course, conformity to its treaties and other obligations. Foreigners, 

 residing in any nation, are amenable to its laws, unless they be public 

 ministers ; and in return they are entitled to protection for their per- 

 sons and property. Criminals, fleeing from justice out of their own 

 country, should be surrendered, on due proof, to the government of 

 the injured party ; since they cannot be seized by the same in another 

 nation's territory. The granting, by one nation, of a free passage 

 across its territory, to the citizens or troops of another, is a matter of 



