190 THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON. 



regulations and to the tenor of treaties. Total exemp- 

 tion from the local law is maintained only by the 

 subjects of Christian States in countries outside of 

 Christendom. 



In most of the countries of Christendom forei2:ners 

 are protected in their jiersonal rights equally with 

 the inhabitants, and, if wronged, have access to the 

 tribunals for redress, even against injuries by the lo- 

 cal Grovernmeut itself. 



Generally, indeed, it may be said, with truth, that 

 the rights of a foreigner are better protected than 

 those of the inhabitants of the country itself; for, in 

 addition to the tribunals of the country where he so- 

 journs, the foreigner has the benefit of the Minister 

 and Consuls of his own country. 



Of this favor the foreigner has occasional need, it 

 is true; but it is a privilege susceptible of great 

 abuse, by reason of the extravagant pretensions occa- 

 sionally made by persons who may suffer any real or 

 apparent wrong, and Avho are prone to elevate trivial 

 grievances into international questions, to the annoy- 

 ance of all Governments, and to the peril of the pub- 

 lic peace. Most of such subjects of complaint are 

 capable of being settled by the local tribunals, and 

 ought to be. The laws of Rome lie at the founda- 

 tion of the jurisprudence of all Europe and America 

 alike; the forms of judicial administration are sub- 

 stantially similar in all the States of both Continents; 

 and in many of the cases of alleged wrong to foreign- 

 ers, and of call for diplomatic intervention, the affair 

 is one which, if at home in his own country, the party 



