The Law of Nations. Emer de Vattel
35. The nation ought not to attempt it without great caution,
36. She is the judge of all disputes relative to the government,
37. No foreign power has a right to interfere,
CHAPTER IV Of the Sovereign, his Obligations, and his Rights.
39. He is solely established for the safety and advantage of society,
40. His representative character,
41. He is intrusted with the obligations of the nation, and invested with her rights,
42. His duty with respect to the preservation and perfection of the nation,
43. His rights in that respect,
44. He ought to know the nation,
45. Extent of his power:—prerogatives of majesty,
46. The prince is bound to respect and support the fundamental laws,
47. He may change the laws not fundamental,
48. He is bound to maintain and observe the existing laws,
49. In what sense he is subject to the laws,
50. His person is sacred and inviolable,
51. But the nation may repress a tyrant, and renounce her allegiance to him,
52. Arbitration between the king and his subjects,
53. Obedience which subjects owe to a sovereign,
54. In what cases they may resist him,
CHAPTER V Of States Elective, Successive or Hereditary, and of those called Patrimonial.>
57. Whether elective kings be real sovereigns,
58. Successive and hereditary states:—origin of the right of succession,
59. Other origin of that right, <xxiv>
60. Other sources, which still amount to the same thing,
61. A nation may change the order of the succession,
63. The order of succession ought commonly to be observed,
65. Indivisibility of sovereignties,
66. Who are to decide disputes respecting the succession to a sovereignty,
67. The right of succession not to depend on the judgment of a foreign power,
68. States called patrimonial,
69. Every true sovereignty is unalienable,
70. Duty of a prince who is empowered to nominate his successor,
71. His nomination must be sanctioned by at least the tacit ratification of the people,
72. The object of society points out the duties of the sovereign:—he is bound to procure plenty,
73. to take care that there be a sufficient number of workmen,
74. to prevent the emigration of those that are useful,
75. Emissaries who entice them away,
76. Labour and industry must be encouraged,