ery rare, that it would be dangerous to reduce them to a
rule.

Sec.6. So cases seldom arise in which one nation has a right to assist the
subjects of another in overturning or changing their government. It is
generally agreed, that such assistance may be afforded consistently with
the law of nations, in extreme cases; as when the tyranny of a
government becomes so oppressive, as to compel the people to rise in
their defense, and call for assistance. When the subjects of any
government have carried their revolt so far as to have established a new
state, and to give reasonable evidence of their ability to maintain a
government, the right of assistance is unquestionable. But it is not
clear that, prior to this state of progress in a revolution, the right
to interpose would be justifiable.

Sec.7. There is a sense, however, in which nations are not wholly
independent. Mankind in the social state, as we have seen, are dependent
upon each other for assistance. (Chap. I, Sec.2.) Such is, in a measure,
the mutual dependence of nations. Although the people of every nation
have within themselves the means of maintaining their individual and
national existence, their prosperity and happiness are greatly promoted
by commerce with other nations. And as laws are necessary to govern the
conduct of the individual citizens of a state, so certain rules are
necessary to regulate the intercourse of nations.

Sec.8. It has been observed, also, that the law of nature is a perfect rule
for all moral and social beings, and ought to be universally obeyed.
Equally binding is this law upon nations. It requires each nation to
respect the rights of all others, and to do for them what their
necessities demand, and what it is capable of doing, consistently with
the duties it owes to itself. And the general good of mankind is as
really promoted by the application of this law to the affairs of
nations, as by its application to the affairs of individuals.

Sec.9. The law of nature applied to nations or states as moral persons, is
called the _natural law of nations_. It is also called the _necessary
law of nations_, because nations are morally bound to observe it; and
sometimes the _internal law of nations_, from its being binding on the
conscience.

Sec.10. Although the law of nature, as expressed in the law of revelation,
is a correct rule of human conduct; yet, as much of this law consists of
general principles from which particular duties can n