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136  at sea by the capture of the enemy's property. That by the Law of Nations every State when at war has the right to capture its enemy's property at sea, of whatever nature it be and in whatever vessels it is found. That every State has also a right by the Law of Nations to arm and commission private vessels as an auxiliary to its naval force. That the use of this auxiliary force is esentialessential [sic] to the effectual capture of enemies' goods, as well as a necessary element in the development of the whole fighting power of the country. That the exercise of the right of seizure and confiscation, whether by State vessels or commissioned private vessels, while it is the most effective, is the mildest and least cruel of all methods of making war. 