12. Are ambassadors residing in a foreign coun try subject to its laws? They are not. They are the representatives of the country from which they are sent, and are sub ject to its laws only. 13. What is a treaty? A treaty is a contract between two or more nations. 14. Suppose one party violates the treaty? The other party is released from obligation to observe it. 15. Suppose a nation is treated unjustly by another, and is refused redress? Then war is its only means of redress. 16. Is a formal declaration of war, and notice thereof to the enemy, necessary before commencing hostilities? It is not. After a declaration of war within its own territory, a nation may commence hostilities. 17. What is the effect of a state of war on commerce? A state of war renders all commercial intercourse between the citizens of the nations at war unlawful. 18. What property is liable to capture? An enemy's property of whatever character at sca is liable to capture and confiscation. 19. What must be done with property thus captured? It must be brought into port, and condemned by a prize court sitting in the country of the captor or of an ally, before it can be appropriated by the captor. 20. May any one capture the enemy's property a sea? Those only can make captures who have commissions from the government. 21. When two or more nations are at war, what ie the duty of other nations?· All other nations are bound to maintain an im partial neutrality. 22. What are the rights of neutrals? Neutral nations have a right to carry on their ordinary commerce with the nations at war. They must not deal in articles contraband of war. 23. What are contraband articles? Arms and ammunition and other articles used in military operations. 24. From what are neutrals prohibited? Neutrals are prohibited from trading with ports that are under blockade. 25. When is a port blockaded? When there is at hand a force sufficient to prevent vessels from leaving or from entering it. 26. What is the penalty of attempting to violate the blockade? The confiscation of the ship and cargo, if captured. 27. Suppose a neutral is in the port at the time the blockade is declared? He is allowed to depart with goods previously purchased. 28. What is the right of search? The right of public armed vessels of the belliger ents to visit and search the vessels of neutrals, in order to determine whether property or despatches of the enemy, or contraband goods, are on board. 29. What is a truce? A truce or armistice is a temporary suspension of he operations of war. 30. What can be done during a truce? Nothing to the prejudice of either party by the ther which could have been prevented in war. 31. Is piracy forbidden by the law of nations? It is. Piracy is an offence against all nations, and is punishable by all, at will. 32. Is international law recognized in the legisla tion of nations? It is. Nations have laws rendering its violation penal. According to Blackstone, it is in England held to be a part of the law of the land. 33. How is it viewed by the United States? The United States, by acts of Congress and by judicial decisions, has endeavored to maintain its obligations. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. CONSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN. 1. What is the government of Great Britain? 2. Has it a written constitution? 3. How are the powers of government divided? 4 Where does the legislative power reside? 5. Of what is Parliament composed? 6. Of what is the House of Commons composed? 7. Of what is the House of Lords composed? 8. How does the mode of passing laws compare with that of Congress? 9. Where must ail bills for revenue originate? 10. Can the Lords alter or amend a revenue bill? / 11. Can the Senate alter or amend such a bill? 12. Who presides over the House of Commons? 13. Who presides over the House of Lords? 14. What is necessary that one may be admitted to witness the deliberations of each house of Parliament? 15. Are the ordinary sessions of Congress open to all? 16 Where does the power of impeachment reside? 17 Where are impeachments tried? 18 What punishments may follow conviction on impeach ment? 19. Wherein does the Constitution of the United States differ in this respect? 20. Where is the executive power vested? 21. What is meant by the maxim, "The King never dies"? 22. How does the King exercise his power? 23. Who are his ministers? 24. Wh: constitute the administration? 25. What is meant by the maxim, "The King can do no wrong"? 26. Who are responsible for all executive acts? 27. May the ministers be members of Parliament? 28. May the members of the United States cabinet have Beats in Congress? 29. Can military officers have seats in Parliament? 30. By whom can Parliament be dissolved? 31. Has the President any such power over Congress? 32. When is Parliament usually dissolved? 33. Who has the sole power to declare war and make peace? 34. Who must furnish the money to carry on war? 35. Who may declare war on the part of the United States! 36. Who may make peace? 37. Who has the control of the public purse of Great Britain? 38. Who appoints all civil and military officers? 45. What is his tenure of office? 46. What are the three Courts of Westminster Hall? 47. Which is the highest in rank? 48. Of what does the King's Bench consist? 49. Of what does the Common Pleas consist? 50. Of what does the Court of Exchequer? 51. What is the tenure of office of the judges? 52. What is the final court of appeal for all the higher Curts? CHAPTER XXIX. DIFFERENT KINDS OF LAW. 1. What is divine law? Divine law is the will of God. 2. What relation should all laws sustain to it? All other laws should be conformed to it. 3. What is constitutional law? A system of fundamental rules determining the form of the government and the extent of its power. 4. What is international law? A system of rules assented to by all the nations of Christendom for the regulation of their intercourse in peace and war. 5. What is municipal law? Municipal law is a rule of civil conduct prescribed by the supreme power in the state. Municipal law is composed of written and unwritten law; that is statute a common law. 8 |