PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW OF NATURE,
APPLIED TO THE
CONDUCT AND AFFAIRS
OF
NATIONS AND SOYEREIGNS.
FROM THE FRENCH
MONSIEUR DE VATTEL.
\ihil est, ouim illi principi Deo qui omnem- hunc mundum regit, quod quidcm in terris fiat, acceptius, quaui concilia coetusque homiauin jure sociuti, qua; civitates arpellantur."— Cicero, Som. Scip.
FROM THE NEW EDITION,
JOSEPH CHITTY, Es(
BARRISTEU AT LAW.
WITH REFERENCES TO AMERICAN DECISIONS.
PHILADELPHIA:
T. & J. W. JOHNSON, LAW BOOKSELLERS,
No. 197 CHESTNUT STREET.
1852.
T
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PREFACE
TO THE PRESENT EDITION.
J. HE merits and increasing utility of this admirable work have not, as yet, been sufficiently known, or justly appreciated. It has been generally supposed that it is only adapted for the study of sovereigns and statesmen, and in that view certainly the author's excellent Preface points out its pre-eminent importance. But it is of infiniteJy more extended idilibj. It contains a practical collection of ethics, principles, and rules of conduct to be observed and pursued, as well by private individuals as by states, and these of the utmost practical importance to the Avell-being, happiness, and ultimate and permanent advantage and benefit of all mankind; and, therefore, ought to be studied by ever?/ gentleman of liberal education, and by yoxdh, in whom the best moral principles should be inculcated. The work should be…