The Freedom of the Seas, or, The Right Which Belongs to the Dutch to Take Part in the East Indian Trade

Written in response to the Portuguese Mare Clausum (“closed sea”) policy and Portugal’s monopolistic claims on the East Indian trade routes, Hugo Grotius’ treatise on international law asserts that oceans should be considered common property, and as such, international territory that all nations may use for maritime trade. His work establishes the principle of “free seas” and defends the seizures of Portuguese vessels.