They are therefore to be detained in prison, under the criminal description of piracy, to a future trial and ignominious punishment, whenever circumstances shall make it convenient to execute vengeance on them, under the color of that odious and infamous offence.
Edmund Burke: “They are therefore to be detained in prison, under the criminal description of piracy, to a future trial and ignominious…”
Editor's note · Context
Burke critiques the law that allows for the indefinite imprisonment of individuals accused of piracy.
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