Captor
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
war, is one who has taken property from an enemy; this term is also employed to designate one who has taken anenemy. Formerly goods taken in war were adjudged to belong to the captor, they are now considered to vest primarily in the state or sovereign, and belong to the individual captors only to the extent that the municipal laws provide. Captors are responsible to the owners of the property for all losses and damages, when the capture is tortious and without reasonable cause in the exercise of belligerent rights. But if the capture -is originally justifiable, the captors will not be responsible, unless by subsequent misconduct they become trespassers ab initio.
1 Rob. R. 93, 96.,