Neutrality

Treating as friends nations which are at war, and refraining from a isting either belligerent directly or indirectly. Every nation has the right to remain neutral and to have its neutral trade interfered with as little as po ible by belligerents. This right was not recognized by England and France during the Napoleonic wars, but its subsequent universal recognition was largely due to Washington's proclamation, April 22, 1793.