7434. RETALIATION, Life for life.—
If the [British] enemy shall put to death,
torture, or otherwise ill-treat any of the hostages
in their hands, or of the Canadian, or
other prisoners captivated by them in the service
of the United Colonies, [426]
recourse must be
had to retaliation as the sole means of stopping
the progress of human butchery, and for that
purpose punishments of the same kind and degree
shall be inflicted on an equal number of
their subjects taken by us, till they shall be
taught due respect to the violated rights of nations.—
Report to Congress.
Ford ed., ii, 34.
(June. 1776)
