GROTIUS, HUGO; J. BARBEYRAC

The Rights of War and Peace, In Three Books...

      Grotius, Hugo [1535-1645]. The Rights of War and Peace, in Three Books: Wherein are Explained, The Law of Nature and Nations, and The Principal Points Relating to Government. Written in Latin by the Learned Hugo Grotius, And Translated into English. To Which are Added, All the Large Notes of Mr. J. Barbeyrac. London: Printed for W. Innys [et al.], 1738. [iv], xxxvi, 817 pp. Folio (14" x 19"). Contemporary quarter calf over marbled boards, raised bands and lettering piece to spine, endpapers renewed. Faint crease through center of half-title, negligible dampwrinkling to edges in a few places, interior notable clean and bright. A notably handsome copy. $1,750. * First English edition with Barbeyrac's notes. Lowndes says this is the "best edition;" Marvin says Barbeyrac's notes are excellent. First published in Paris in 1625, The Rights of War and Peace established the system of modern public international law, based on the concept of "droit naturel," a morality-based law that superseded the personalities of individuals or nations. Grotius describes the situations in which war is a valid tool of law enforcement and outlines the principles of armed combat. Though based on Christian natural law, Grotius advanced the novel argument that his system would still be valid if it lacked a divine basis. In this regard he pointed to the future by moving international law in a secular direction. Lowndes, Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature (rev. ed.) III:950. Marvin, Legal Bibliography (1847) 353. Sweet & Maxwell, A Legal Bibliography of the British Commonwealth 1:595.