8966. WAR (Prisoners of), Comfort of.
—Is an enemy so execrable, that, though in
captivity, his wishes and comforts are to be
disregarded and even crossed? I think not.
It is for the benefit of mankind to mitigate the
horrors of war as much as possible. The practice,
therefore, of modern nations, of treating
captive enemies with politeness and generosity,
is not only delightful in contemplation, but really
interesting to all the world, friends, foes and
neutrals.—
To Governor Henry. Washington ed. i, 218.
Ford ed., ii, 176.
(Alb.
1779)
