ABSTRACT
The Law of Nations, great and important a subject as it is, has thus far not received the attention which it merits. There is no doubt of the existence of a natural Law of Nations, inasmuch as the Law of Nature is no less binding upon States, where men are united in a political society, than it is upon the individuals themselves. The Romans often confused the Law of Nations with the Law of Nature, giving the term 'Law of Nations' to the natural law, inasmuch as the latter was generally recognized and adopted by all civilized nations. Modern writers generally agree in restricting the term Law of Nations to the law which should prevail between Nations or sovereign States. The Law of Nations is the law of sovereigns. It is for them especially and for their ministers that a treatise should be written.
