189
AGE
can
exercise Jurisdiction
While each Country, unquestionably has its own jurisdiction in its own Ports over the private or Merchant Vessels of the other, it is presumed there is a mutual disposition on both sides not to exert it in a way which will interfere with the internal discipline of the Ships of either Nation. If every complaint of any individual of the Crew of a Vessel against the Officers for ill-treatment is to be taken up by the Civil Authorities on Shore, and there officiously prosecuted as criminals, commercial intercourse will be subjected to very great and serious detriment and annoyance.
While the right to be exempted from the Jurisdiction of the civil Authorities is not claimed either by courtesy and comity, there has been a forbearance generally observed.
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