Search

RIGHT OF, mar. law. The right existing in a belligerent to examine and inspcct the papers of a neutral vessel at sea. The right does not extend to examine the cargo; nor does it extend to a ship of war, it being strictly confined to the searching of merchant vessels. The exercise of this right is to prevent the commerce of contraband goods. Although frequently resisted by powerful neutral nations, yet this right appears now to be fixed beyond contravention. The penalty for violently resisting this right is the confiscation of the proso withheld from visitation. perty nless in extreme cases of gross abuse of his right by a belligerent, the neutral has no right to resist a search.

1 Kent, Com. 154; 2 Bro. Civ. and Adm. Law, 319.