assemblies, respecting the nature and extent of the obligations between independent societies of men called States. The principal aim of the Author has been to glean from these sources the general principles which may fairly be considered to have received the assent of most civilized and Christian nations, if not as invariable rules of conduct, at least as rules which they cannot disregard without general obloquy and the hazard of provoking the hostility of other communities who may be injured by their violation. Experience shows that these motives, even in the worst times, do really afford a considerable security for the observance of justice between States, if they do not furnish that perfect sanction annexed by the lawgiver to the observance of the municipal code of any particular State. The knowledge of this science has, consequently, been justly regarded as of the highest importance to all who take an interest in political affairs. The Author cherishes the hope that the following attempt to illustrate it will be received with indulgence, if not with favor, by those who know the difficulties of the undertaking. BERLIN, January 1, 1836. CONTENTS. PART FIRST. Natural Law identical with the Law of God or Divine Law Law of Nations distinguished from Natural Law by Grotius Law of Nature and of Nations identical, according to Hobbes and Sovereign Princes the Subjects of International Law Individuals or Corporations the Subjects of International Law Identity of a State, how affected by Internal Revolution. Conduct of Foreign States towards another Nation involved in Civil Parties to Civil War entitled to Rights of War against each other By the Joint Effect of Internal and External Violence confirmed by Province or Colony asserting its Independence, how considered by Recognition of its Independence by other Foreign States International Effects of a Change in the Person of the Sovereign, or Interference of the Great Powers in the Belgic Revolution of 1830. 71 Independence of the State in respect to its Internal Government . . 72 Mediation of a Foreign State for the Settlement of the Internal Dis- Independence of every State in respect to the Choice of its Rulers Exceptions growing out of Compact, or other Just Right of Interven- Foreign Marriages Lex fori A Foreign Sovereign, or his Ambassador, Army, or Fleet within Exemption of the Person of a Foreign Sovereign from the Local Exemption of Foreign Ministers Exemption of Foreign Troops passing through the Territory The Slave Trade, whether prohibited by the Law of Nations Decisions of Courts of Justice in England Extent of Judicial Power as to Property within the Territory . . Distinction between the Rules of Decision and of Procedure as 125 127 et seq. |