The Latin Text
The Latin Text is based upon the Elzevir edition of 1633, the modifications being only such as to bring the Latin into conformity with the present day Teubner and Oxford texts.
References in the notes to classic authors are given in unabbreviated form, following in other respects the Thesaurus Linguae Latinae Index. Citations to the Civil Law are given in the modern notation, which is followed, in parentheses, by the older method of reference. The text used is that of Mommsen, Krueger, Schoell et Kroll. The Canon Law is cited from the Friedberg edition of 1879-81. The abbreviations used are explained below.
The Translation
The translator wishes to make due acknowledgment for the passages from classic writers quoted from standard translations, to which references are also made in the notes. He has also consulted the French translation of Grotius by A. Guichon de Grandpont (1845). But his chief acknowledgment is to his colleague and friend, Professor Kirby Flower Smith of The Johns Hopkins University, to whom he read the translation, and who gave him the benefit of his knowledge of Latin and his taste in English, in a number of troublesome passages. Many niceties of the translation belong to Professor Smith, but mistakes in interpretation belong to the translator alone.
Acknowledgment and thanks are also due to Professor Westel Woodbury Willoughby of Johns Hopkins, who has been so good as to read the translation through in galley proof and give the translator the benefit of his technical knowledge of law; to his Johns Hopkins colleague, Professor Wilfred P. Mustard, who has helped him out of a number of difficulties; to Bishop Shahan, Rector of the Catholic University of America, who has given of his time to help expand several of Grotius’ abbreviated references to theological or canonical authors; to John Curlett Martin, Johns Hopkins Fellow in Greek, who has been of great assistance in the verification of references; and to the men of the Quinn and Boden Company for their courteous assistance while the book was going through the press.
List of Abbreviations
Auth., Authenticum.
Clem., Constitutiones Clementis Papae Quinti.
Dist., Distinctio Decreti Gratiani.
Extravag., Constitutiones XXD. Ioannis Papae XXII.
Lib. VI, Liber sextus Decretalium D. Bonifacii Papae VIII.
Other abbreviations should offer no difficulties.
Notes of Explanation
The words and phrases in the Latin text in capitals follow the type of the Elzevir text.
In order that both text and translation may be complete in themselves, the notes below the translation follow the notes of the text in shortened or expanded form, or in duplicate, as the occasion would seem to demand. The notes in Grotius’ Latin text are in a most abbreviated form, and the references are seldom specific. They have been expanded without further explanation.
[ ] in the translation, text, or notes, inclose additions made by the translator.