A History of the Law of Nations (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899. Excerpt: ... Estimate of the work of Grotius. 1. There is little new in his general treatment of his subject. His system is that of Snores. Grotius, like Suarez, conoeives of a society of nations, of a law amongst the society, Proleg. 23. Proleg. 28. Proleti. 18. and of that law as jus inter gentet. 144. We are now in a position to attempt an estimate of the indebtedness of the world to Grotius. In the first place, we may remark, that there is little or nothing new in his general treatment of his subject. His system is fundamentally identical with the ideas outlined by Suarez. Grotius like Suarez conceived of a society of nations. Like Suarez too he advanced a stage further in alleging the necessity of law to such a society: "If there is "no community which can be preserved without Law, as "Aristotle proved by that remarkable instance of robbers, "certainly that likewise which joins Mankind in general, "or several Nations, together in one society must stand "in need of Law." It is in the certain assurance that such a law (aliquod inter populos jus commune) there must be, that, Grotius sets out upon his quest after its actual dictates. As to the motive for its observance, he is equally clear. "As that citizen is no fool who obeys the law of his city, "though out of reverence to that law he must and ought "to pass by some things that might be advantageous to "himself: so neither is that people nor nation foolish who, "for the sake of their own particular advantage, will not "break in upon the laws common to all nations (com"munia populorum jura); for the same reason holds good "in both. For as he, that violates the laws of his country "for the sake of some present advantage to himself, "destroys that which is made for the perpetual security "of what himself or hi...