An Essay on a Congress of Nations for the Adjustment of International Disputes Without Resort to Arms

Book excerpt: First published in 1840, this was the first important statement on the preservation of peace through international mediation published in the United States. Anticipating the creation of the Permanent Court of International Justice and the League of Nations by a good 75 years, Ladd proposed an international "congress with legislative powers" that worked with a court that enforced its laws and settled international disputes. It became a central text for American peace organizations and participants in international law conferences, and did much to persuade Americans to accept the idea of an international peace organization. It was also distributed widely in Europe, where it was well-received. Ladd [1778-1841], a scholar and philanthropist, was the president of the American Peace Society. His essay was a contribution to a collection published by his society entitled Prize Essays on a Congress of Nations, For the Adjustment of International Disputes, And for the Promotion of Universal Peace Without Resort to Arms (1840).