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was given up not only in practice but by repeated decisions in our prize courts. I allude especially to the well known judgments of Sir James Marriott upon this point." (Brougham's Speeches, vol. 1st, p. 242.)

The celebrated Earl of Chatham, in a speech in the House of Commons, is reported by the learned and accurate Macaulay, to have said in a speech on the war with Spain, "that no peace ought to be made with Spain till she should formally renounce the right of search." These sentiments accord with the doctrine of Albericus Gentilis, by some called the father of the law of nations, and by others the forerunner of Grotius, which we have quoted above. He distinctly, in behalf of England, denied to foreign armed ships the right of searching English ships, and he claimed for England the exclusive jurisdiction over English ships on the high seas. (See 11 Wheaton's R. p. 17, 18.)

The natural right of neutral nations to free trade is manifest. It is a principle of the moral law of nations.

Free trade reposes upon the obvious principle that all men are bound by the law of their nature to kindly and reciprocal commerce. Providence, by fixing unalterably diversity of climate and production as well as varieties of human skill, improvement and condition, has made free and recip

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rocal commerce a clear right and duty of every nation. A free interchange of commodities by all nations is essential to their happiness and prosperity. Hence the moral law of nations enjoins upon the whole family of nations to observe this duty.

As savage nations produce few articles of trade, are poor and ignorant, it becomes the duty as well as interest of all Christian nations to Christianize and civilize them as fast as possible, to extend commerce and free trade throughout the republic of humanity. Our republic is in favor of free trade and universal civilization.

SECTION FORTY-FIRST. OF AMERICAN NEUTRALITY.

We have shown above that entire impartiality and avoidance of all hostile interference between belligerents are an imperative obligation upon neutral states. President Washington's proclamation of neutrality of 1793, our acts of Congress of June 5th, 1794, of April 20th, 1818, and of March 10th, 1838, enforce neutrality. These, the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the uniform course of our government show the fixed policy of our republic.

SECTION FORTY-SECOND.

OF BALANCE OF POWER.

The balance of power has occupied the attention of European statesman since 1688. It was not perceived that the great and unchangable law of variety and inequality that was written by celestial light upon the fixed stars, upon the comets, upon our sun and planets with their moons, and upon every star that emblazons the firmament, was also found as an intrinsic quality of national condition. Experience had not taught the possibility of equalizing states and empires. Nor has the history of Europe, since 1688, shown the possibility of reducing nations to a common standard of power. After the many wars for this purpose, we find the disparity among European nations greater than it was in 1688. Great Britain, Holland, Spain, Russia, Prussia and France have greatly changed their relative weight and power since that era, and the only effect of all these wars has been to load Britain, Holland, France, Austria and Spain with great, oppressive national debts. This effort has failed because it is against the laws of our nature. Britain has attained her power by her superior industry and freedom, and if Russia, now rapidly advancing in internal improvements, shall adopt the Prussian general system of education, her power will soon overshadow

Europe. This result must follow of necessity, for Nicholas will then unite great moral with great physical power. Increased liberty flowing from these causes will augment the power, increase the industry and consolidate the glory of Russia. All Europe, if disposed, could not stop this progress. Diversity of condition among nations as well as among individuals, is a fundamental law of our na ture and cannot be prevented. By internal improvements, by general, moral and intellectual education, by productive industry, and by pacific efforts, all nations may lawfully labor to extend their power and secure their happiness. But the employment of force to regulate a balance of power is not allowed by the moral law of nations. Grotius says: "The opinion is not to be tolerated, that the law of nations permits war for the purpose of preventing one nation from acquiring a dangerous predominance of power over others." The peace and safety of nations will be found in the general education and thorough Christianization of the people of all nations producing an energetic sense of right and justice. This enlightened public opinion, speaking through diplomatic Congresses, and in other modes will then enforce peace and justice among nations.

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SECTION FORTY-THIRD.

OF TREATIES.

All nations are bound to the observance of good faith and the sacred performance of every contract. The same rule that applies to an individual is equally applicable to a nation. A treaty, therefore, once duly made, though it may be suspended by war, in the view of right reason cannot be cancelled by it as to territorial rights and rights appurtenant or permanent. Our republic in 1818, in negotiation with Great Britain, asserted this doctrine as to the fisheries, though the treaty of Ghent was silent as to the right secured by the treaty of peace of 1783. Unjust and continued aggression may destroy, as well as war, all temporary provisions of treaties. But territorial and appurtenant rights, and permanent and perpetual provisions of treaties ought not to be affected even by war. The same rule applies to all rights guaranteed forever, as the navigation of the Mississippi by the treaty of 1783, the exemption of debts, stocks and bank shares by the 10th Article of Jay's treaty of 1794, from confiscation, and the fisheries by that of 1818. Such provision, are not annulled by wars. They are permanent.

But a treaty obtained by coercion, or having an unlawful object, would be void upon the principles of the moral law of nations. The hard treaty made

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