Chief Points in the Laws of War and Neutrality, Search and Blockade: With the Changes of 1856, and Those Now Proposed

Chief Points In The Laws Of War And Neutrality, Search And Blockade: With The Changes Of 1856, And Those Now Proposed by John Fraser Macqueen. This work is a comprehensive nineteenth-century treatise on the law of nations in wartime, examining how belligerents and neutrals interact, and how principles such as blockade, contraband, prize, and asylum have evolved. Macqueen outlines the principal rules governing belligerents in an enemy’s country, those fighting in their own territory, and belligerents and neutrals, emphasizing humane limits on destruction while recognizing strategic needs. He discusses the capture and destruction of enemy property at sea, the treatment of neutral commerce, and the controversial distinction between land and sea warfare. The work surveys the doctrine of contraband, stoppage and search, blockades, and the prize jurisdiction, illustrating how legal doctrine has evolved from earlier practice. It also surveys post-1856 changes in the maritime law of nations, including the Paris Solemn Declarations which abolished privateering, and the Crown’s proclamations on neutrality. Throughout, Macqueen balances humanitarian considerations with strategic realities, calling for reform that reduces neutral suffering while preserving the essential powers of belligerents in war. The Postscript shows present sentiment in the House of Commons as to securing an immunity for all private property at sea during hostilities.