XXII. Damages are allowed too for any injury done to our honour or reputation, by assault, slander, or various other ways. In which, as well as in theft and other crimes the nature of the offence is to be estimated by its consequences. For the reparation in such cases answers to the penalty imposed for crimes. And that reparation is made some times by acknowledging the injured party's innocence; and some times by a compensation in money, which is a standard value of all things. CHAPTER XVIII. ON THE RIGHT OF EMBASSIES. Right of Embassies, an obligation arising out of the law of nations--Where it obtains--Whether Embassies are always to be admitted--Dismissal or punishment of ambassadors engaging in plots not to be considered as a harsh measure, but an act of self-defence--A power to whom no ambassador has been sent, not bound to respect the rights of embassy--An enemy to whom an ambassador is sent bound to respect his rights--The law of retaliation no plea for ill treatment of an ambassador--This right of protection extends to an ambassador's suite, if he thinks proper to claim it--To his moveable property--Examples of obligation without the right of compulsion--Importance of the sacred character of ambassadors. I. Hitherto the pursuit of our inquiries has led us to examine those rights to which we are entitled by the law of nature, occasionally touching upon those points where its authority is farther confirmed by the voluntary law of nations. And that voluntary law as it is called, gives rise to certain obligations, which now remain for our discussion, and in which the rights of ambassadors form a leading feature. Almost every page of history offers some remark on the inviolable rights of ambassadors, and the security of their persons, a security sanctioned by every clause and precept of human and revealed law. Nor is it surprising that the persons of those should be deemed inviolable, who form the principal link in that chain, by which sovereigns and independent states maintain their intercourse with each other. To offer violence to them is not only an act of INJUSTICE, but, as Philip in his letter to the Athenians says, is acknowledged by all to be an act of IMPIETY. II. But whatever rights the law of nations may confer upon ambassadors, it is necessary in the first place to observe, that none are entitled to them, but those, who are sent by the sovereigns of independent countries to each other. For the privileges of provincial, or municipal deputies sent to the states general of any country are regulated by the particular laws of that country and not by the law of nations.[52]