| Essays
But methinks it well behooves merchants (men
more enlightened by their education, and perfectly
free from any such force or obligation) to consider
well of the justice of a war before they voluntarily
engage a gang of ruffians to attack their fellow merchants
 of a neighboring nation, to plunder them of
their property, and perhaps ruin them and their
families if they yield it, or to wound, maim, and murder
 them if they endeavor to defend it. Yet these
things are done by Christian merchants, whether a
war be just or unjust, and it can hardly be just on
both sides. They are done by English and American
 merchants, who, nevertheless, complain of private
 theft, and hang by dozens the thieves they have
taught by their own example.
It is high time, for the sake of humanity, that a
stop were put to this enormity. The United States
of America, though better situated than any European
 nation to make profit by privateering (most of
the trade of Europe, with the West Indies, passing
before their doors), are, as far as in them lies, endeavoring
 to abolish the practice, by offering in all
their treaties with other powers an article, engaging
solemnly that in case of future war no privateer shall
be commissioned on either side, and that unarmed
merchant-ships on both sides shall pursue their voyages
 unmolested.” This will be a happy improvement
 of the laws of nations. The humane and the
just cannot but wish general success to the propot
 This offer having been accepted by the late king of Prussia, a
treaty of amity and commerce was concluded between that monarch
and the United States, containing the following humane, philanthropic

1785] 261