^<  The  principle  of  making  free  ships  protect  enemy's  property  has
always  been  cherished  by  the  maritime  x>owerB  who  have  not  had  large
navies,  though  stipulations  to  that  effect  have  been  in  all  wars  more  or
less  violated  In  the  present  war,  indeed,  they  have  been  less  re-
spected than  usual,  because  Great  Britain  has  held  more  ancontroUed
the  command  of  the  sea,  and  has  been  less  disposed  than  ever  to  con
cede  the  principle;  and  because  France  has  disdained  most  of  the  re-
ceived and  established  ideas  upon  the  laws  of  nations,  and  considered
herself  as  liberated  from  all  the  obligations  toward  other  states  which
iQterfere<l  with  her  present  objects  or  the  interests  of  the  moment.''

Mr.  J.  Q.Adams,  minister  at  Berlin,  to  the  Sec.  of  State,  Oct  31,  1797.    2  Am.
St.  Pap.  (For.  Eel.),2ril.
