International records / Foreign Relations of the United States

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward .

of prizes taken within neutral jurisdiction; but there is some confusion on this point. If there is one proposition more clear than another in international law, it is that in such a case the wrong is against the neutral alone. At the engagement of Lagos, in the time of Lord Chatham’s ministry, our navy captured a number of ships in Portuguese waters. Lord Chatham said to our minister: “Make any apology you please, say anything you like to satisfy the dignity of the King of Portugal, but give back not one of the ships.” Thus we see the principle laid down that between belligerent and belligere…