362 AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR EUROPE. 



mean to propose is a general congress of nations, of which 

 both the meeting and the duration are to depend entirely on 

 the sovereign wills of the several members of the league, and 

 not an indissoluble union like that which exists between the 

 several States of North America, founded on a municipal 

 institution. Such a congress, and such a league are the only 

 means of realising the idea of a true public law, according to 

 which the differences between nations would be determined 

 by civil judicature, instead of resorting to war — a means of 

 redress worthy only of barbarians." — ("Metaphysics of 

 Law," 1797.) 



HENRY WHEATON, LL.D., 

 MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF FRANCE, ETC. 



" If the present political system of Europe cannot be shaken by 

 the preponderance of any one Power, it must be admitted 

 that it is only maintained in this position by an action and 

 reaction, which keeps its different parts in a perpetual 

 agitation, unfavourable to the internal prosperity and 

 development of each particular State. In order to sub- 

 stitute for this imperfect association a solid and durable 

 confederacy, all its members must be placed in such a state 

 of mutual dependence that no one shall be able to resist all 

 the others united, or to form separate alliances capable of 

 resisting the general league. For this purpose, it is indis- 

 pensable, that the confederacy should embrace all the 

 European Powers; that it should have a supreme legislature 

 capable of establishing general regulations for its govern- 

 ment, and a judicial tribunal adequate to give effect to those 

 regulations ; that it should possess a coercive power capable 

 oif restraining and compelling the action of its members, 

 and sufficient authority to prevent any of them from 

 withdrawing from the union, whenever caprice or interest 

 may dictate. Nor would the establishment of such a 

 confederacy be attended with insurmountable difficulties. 

 It is only necessary that statesmen should renounce the 

 puerile prejudices of their craft ; that sovereigns should 

 abandon the uncertain objects of vulgar ambition, for the 

 certain security which would be afforded to themselves, their 



