Blockade

In international law. The investment of a seaport by a competent naval force, with the view of cutting off all communication of commerce.* 1 Kent's Com. 1 44 — 146. A sort of circumvallation round a place by which all foreign connexion and correspondence is, as far as human power can effect it, to be cut off.

Sir Wm. Scott, (Vrow Judith,) 1 Bob. Adm. B. 1 26.

It is not necessary, however, that the place should be invested by land as well as by sea, in order to constitute a legal blockade; and if a place be blockaded by sea only, it is no violation of belligerent rights for the neutral to carry on commerce with it by inland communications.

1 Kent's Com. 147.