Sec.7.  As the object of a just war is to obtain justice, a nation, when it has declared war, has a right to use all necessary means, and no other, for attaining that end.  A just war gives the right to take the life of the enemy; but there are limits to this right.  If an enemy submits, and lays down his arms, we can not justly take his life.  And justice and humanity forbid that women, children, feeble old men, and sick persons, who make no resistance, should be maltreated.

Sec.8.  Prisoners of war are not to be treated with cruelty.  They may be confined, and even fettered, if there is reason to apprehend that they will rise against their captors, or make their escape.  Prisoners of war are detained to prevent their returning to join the enemy, or to obtain from their government a just satisfaction as the price of their liberty.  Prisoners may be kept till the end of the war.  Then, or at any time during the war, the government may exchange them for its own soldiers taken prisoner by the enemy; or a ransom may be required for their release.  It is the duty of the government to procure, at its own expense, the release of its citizens.

Sec.9.  Ravaging a country, burning private dwellings, or otherwise wantonly destroying property, is not justifiable, except in cases of absolute necessity.  But all fortresses, ramparts, and the like, being appropriated to the purposes of war, may be destroyed.

Sec.10.  Stratagems and deceit to obtain advantage of an enemy, are, to some extent, justified by the law of nations; but in general they are dishonorable and wrong.

Sec.11.  Spies are sometimes sent among an enemy, to discover the state of his affairs, to pry into his designs, and carry back information.  This is a dishonorable office; spies, if detected, are condemned to death.

Sec.12.  The rights of a nation in war at sea are essentially different from those in war upon land.  The object of a maritime war is to destroy the commerce and navigation of the enemy, with a view of weakening his naval power.  To this end, the capture or destruction of private property is necessary, and is justified by the law of nations.  Hence, for the purpose of attack as well as defense, every nation of considerable power or commercial importance, keeps a navy, consisting of a number of war vessels, ready for service.

Sec.13.  Besides these national ships of war, there are armed vessels owned by private citizens, and called privateers.  Their owners receive from the government a commission to go on the seas, and to capture any vessel of the enemy, whether it is owned by the government or by private citizens, or whether it is armed or not.  And to encourage privateering, the government allows the owner and crew of a privateer to keep the property captured as their own.

Sec.14.  To prevent the abuse of this right, the owners are required to give security, that the cruise shall be conducted according to instructions and the usages of war; that the rights of neutral nations shall not be violated; and that the captured property shall be brought in for adjudication.