Postliminium
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
is that right in virtue of which persons and things taken by the enemy are restored to their former state, when coming again under the power of the nation to which they belong.
Vatt. Lib. 3, c. 14, s. 204; Chit. Law of Nat. 93 to 104; Lee on Captures, ch. 5; Mart. Law of Nat. 305; 2 Wooddes. p- 441, s. 34; 1 Rob. Rep. 134; 3 Rob. Rep. 236; Ib. 97; 2 Burr. 683; 10 Mod. 79; 6 Rob. R. 45; 2 Rob. Rep. 77; 1 Rob. Rep. 49; 1 Kent, Com. 108.
The jus postliminé was a fiction of the Roman law.
Inst. 1, 12,5.
It is a right recognized by the law of nations, and contributes essentially to mitigate the calamities of war. When, therefore, property taken by the enemy is either recaptured or rescued from him, by the fellow subjects or allies of the original owner, it does not become the property of the recaptor or rescuer, as if it had been a new prize, but it is restored to the original owner by right of postliminy, upon certain terms.