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which this principle was relaxed, as between the contracting parties. This very exception proves the general rule: we conceded a part of the advantage which the law of nations gave us for certain treaty benefits for which we stipulated in return. As Pitt said in 1800, "with respect to the law of nations, the principle on which we are now acting has been universally admitted and acted upon, except in cases where it has been restrained and modified by particular treaties between different states. The very circumstance of making an exception by treaty proves what the general law of nations would be, if no particular treaties were made to modify or alter it. The question was whether we were to suffer neutral nations, by hoisting a flag in a sloop or a fishing-boat, to convey the treasures of South America to Spain or the naval stores of the Baltic to Brest and Toulon."