and the dissolution of certain contracts, it is very necessary that
such a date should be accurately known. When a Manifesto or
Declaration is issued, it is said to legalize hostilities, that is to
say,--to make all acts done, and all breaches committed, under
pressure of war, good and lawful acts and breaches.

I have given this explanation, because it is a popular notion that a
declaration always precedes war; but in reality, in modern times, few
wars are solemnly declared;--they begin most often with general
hostilities; thus the first Dutch War began upon general Letters of
Marque, and the War with Spain, that commenced by the attempted
invasion of the Armada in 1588, was not declared or proclaimed between
the two crowns.[6]

[Sidenote: Contents of Declaration.]

The Manifesto not only announces the commencement Contents of and
existence of hostilities, but also states the reasons of, and attempts
the justification of the war; and it is necessary for the instruction
and direction of the subjects of the belligerent state, with respect
to their intercourse with the foe; it also apprizes neutral nations of
the fact, and enables them to conform their conduct to the rights
belonging to the new state of things.[7]

Without such an official act, it might be difficult to distinguish, in
a Treaty of Peace, those acts which are to be accounted lawful effects
of war, from those which either nation may consider as naked wrongs,
and for which they may, under certain circumstances, claim reparation.

When war is duly declared, it is not merely a war between one