The Free Sea

in the minds of those inquiring more subtly, the public authority of the decree of so many nations, and even the confession of the hostile and malevolent adversaries have left nothing to be doubted. But what we propose here has nothing in common with those things. It requires no anxious investigation. It does not hang upon the explanation of the divine codex, much of which many do not grasp, nor upon the decrees of one people of which others are deservedly ignorant. That law from whose prescription one must judge is not difficult to discover, as it is the same among all; and it is easy to understand, as it is born with each individual and implanted in the minds of all. The right, however, which we seek is such that neither should a king deny it to his subjects, nor a Christian to non-Christians. For it arises from nature, which is the equal parent of all, bountiful to all, whose empire extends to those who rule over nations, and is most holy among those who have progressed most in piety. Recognize this case, princes; recognize it, peoples. If we demand anything unjust, you know what the