From the book's ADVERTISEMENT.
Upon the general theory of the Law of Nations, much has been written by authors of great name and ability. Upon practical questions much has been laid down by those distinguished civilians, who have adorned the British and American Courts of Admiralty, and whose masterly judgments, full of wisdom and learning, are the most perfect expositions of the best and purest principles of that law. It has been attempted, in the following lectures, to pass briefly in review both series of authorities, and to note the chief characteristics of the most eminent amongst them, with a view to make them known to the student, and not with any pretence to novelty of view or originality of treatment. On the contrary, the materials supplied by others have been freely used, where the doctrine appeared to be sound, or the criticism just. There is little, therefore, in the following pages calculated to satisfy the wants of the scholar or of the publicist; but they may be useful to the student in guiding him to the best sources and in thereby enabling him to draw knowledge from the fountain head. Of all human sciences, the law is probably not the last to which the precept strictly applies, "melius est haurire fontes, quam consectari rivulos."
—Doctors' Common, Dec. 26, 1855