ABSTRACT
Nations or States are political bodies, societies of men who have united together and combined their forces, in order to procure their mutual welfare and security. The Law of Nations is the science of the rights which exist between Nations or States, and of the obligations corresponding to these rights. Proof can be had from works on the natural law that liberty and independence belong to man by his very nature, and that they cannot be taken from him without his consent. Things which are just in themselves and permitted by the necessary Law of Nations may form the subject of an agreement by Nations or may be given sacredness and force through practice and custom. Owing to freedom and independence of Nations, conduct of Nation may be unlawful and censurable according to laws of conscience, and yet other Nations must put up with it so long as it does not infringe upon their perfect rights.
