296 MARITIME INTERNATIONAL LAW. 



Maritime Right in her hands was most efiFective, and, as Lord 

 Palmerston declared, to abolish the right would be disastrous to her 

 Naval strength and supremacy. 



But the Declaration of Paris has completely changed the aspect 

 of the question, for, in the event of war with the United States, or 

 Spain, or Mexico, it is evident that all her vast commercial trade, 

 in order to avoid destruction by the cruisers and privateers of the 

 enemy, as well as in consequence of the higher rate of Marine 

 Insurance on English cargoes, would at once pass from her to that 

 of neutral Nations. 



It is, therefore, obvious that this belligerent right, instead of being 

 a formidable weapon for Great Britain in time of war, would be the 

 reverse, not only in consequence of the alteration of Maritime Law 

 by the Declaration of Paris, but, also, from the ^altered circumstances 

 in the commercial marine of the world, and that it would prove 

 more disastrous to her than to any other nation. 



Nevertheless, the Declaration of Paris, which decreed that a 

 neutral flag covers an enemy's goods, and is free from capture, and 

 that neutral goods, under an enemy's flag, are also not liable to 

 capture, provided they are not contraband of war, was a great 

 reform, for it reversed the custom and laws of nations, extending 

 to most of the Great Powers of the civilised World. It is all the 

 more important, as it secured the adhesion of Great Britain to the 

 principles of the Declaration of Armed Neutrality of 1780, and 

 of the Treaty of 1785 between the United States and Prussia, 

 especially of the latter,, in favour of neutrals, which contained the 

 abolition of many restrictions, and the removal of many doubts, 

 as to the character of contraband of war, which had been a pretext, 

 by the belligerent Powers, for an arbitrary extension of their rights. 

 And although, since the declaration of Paris, there has arisen much 

 criticism and dissatisfaction, yet, judging by the same sentiments 

 and tendencies which were manifested after the Treaty of 1785, 

 they will, it is hoped, gradually disappear, and thus, this Declaration 

 of Paris, may be considered as the beginning of a more thorough, and 

 complete reform of International Maritime Law. 



ABOLITION OF PRIVATEERING. 

 This reform having been carried, it is absolutely necessary 

 that the great Maritime Powers of the world, should take a step 

 further in advance, and declare, that all private property at sea is 



