international law. By this term is understood the whole body of a nation at war with another. It also signifies a citizen or subject of such a nation, as when we say an alien enemy. In a still more extended sense, the word includes any of the subjects or citizens of a state in amity with the United States, who, have commenced, or have made preparations for commencing hostilities against the United States; and also the citizens or subjects of a state in amity with the United States, who are in the service of a state at war with them. 2. An enemy cannot, as a general rule, enter into any contract which can be enforced in the courts of law; but the rule is not without exceptions; as, for example, when a state permits expressly its own citizens to trade with the enemy; and perhaps a contract for necessaries, or for money to enable the individual to get home, might be enforced. 7 Pet. R . 586. 3. An alien enemy cannot, in general, sue during the war, a citizen of the United States, either in the courts of, the United States, or those of the several states signify these two classes of persons; the first , or the public enemy, they called hostis, and the latter, or the private enemy, inimicus.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
in public law, signifies either the nation which is at war with another, or a citizen or subject of such nation. Alien enemy. An alien, that is, a citizen or subject of a foreign state or power, residing within a given country, is called an “alien ami” if the country where he lives is at peace with the country of which he is a citizen or sub, ject; but if a state of war exists between the two countries, he is called an “alien enemy,” and in that character is denied access to the courts or aid from any of the departments of government. Enemy’s property. In International law, and particularly in the usage of prize courts, this term designates any property, which is engaged or used in illegal intercourse with the public enemy, whether belonging to an ally or a citizen, as the illegal traffic stamps it with the hostile character and attaches to It all the penal consequences. The Benito Estenger. 176 U. S. 568, 20 Sup. Ct 489, 44 I Ed. 502; The Sally, 8 Cranch, 382. 3 L. Ed. 507; In Re Wechsler, 18 Black 36; Prize Cases, 2 Black. 674, 17 L. Ed. 459. Public enemy. A nation at war with the United States; also every citizen or subject of such nation. Not including robbers, thieves, private depredators, or riotous mobs.