5875. NEUTRALITY, Rights.—
The
doctrine that the rights of nations remaining
quietly under the exercise of moral and
social duties, are to give way to the convenience
of those who prefer plundering and murdering
one another, is a monstrous doctrine; and ought
to yield to the more rational law, that “the
wrongs which two nations endeavor to inflict
on each other, must not infringe on the rights
or conveniences of those remaining at peace”.—
To Robert R. Livingston. Washington ed. iv, 410.
Ford ed., viii, 90.
(M.
1801)