The Laws of War, Affecting Commerce and Shipping

"The Laws of War, Affecting Commerce and Shipping" by H. Byerley Thomson is a detailed exploration of international law focused on how war impacts business and sea travel in the 1800s. This book explains the rules that control what happens at sea during war, including how it affects trade, ships, and countries that aren't involved in the fighting. It seeks to help merchants understand the difficult rules that come up when there's a war going on. The book starts with an introduction where Thomson shares the reason for writing the book and how important international law is today. Thomson points out the need to clearly understand the laws about business and shipping during war, especially because there have been recent wars. He mentions the start of war and how that can change who owns property, trade relationships, and the rights of countries that are neutral. Recognizing the need for clear legal definitions, this book looks at international law influencing countries and people during war.