Sec.5.  Contraband goods, when ascertained to be such, are confiscated to the captors as lawful prize.  Formerly the vessel also was liable to be condemned and confiscated; but the modern practice, it is said, exempts the ship, unless it belongs to the owner of the contraband articles, or the carrying of them is connected with aggravating circumstances.

Sec.6.  One of the rights of a belligerent nation which a neutral is bound to regard, is the right of blockade. Blockade is a blocking up.  A war blockade is the stationing of ships of war at the entrance of an enemy’s ports, to prevent all vessels from coming out or going in.  The object of a blockade is to hinder supplies of arms, ammunition, and provisions from entering, with a view to compel a surrender by hunger and want, without an attack.  A neutral vessel attempting to enter or depart, becomes liable to be seized and condemned.  Towns and fortresses also may be shut up by posting troops at the avenues.

Sec.7.  A simple decree or order declaring a certain coast or country in a state of blockade, does not constitute a blockade.  A force must be stationed there, competent to maintain the blockade, and to make it dangerous to enter.  And it is necessary that the neutral should have due notice of the blockade, in order to subject his property to condemnation and forfeiture.  According to modern usage, if a place is blockaded by sea only, trade with it by a neutral nation may be carried on by inland communication.  And a neutral vessel, loaded before the blockade was established, has a right to leave the port with her cargo.

Sec.8.  To prevent the conveyance of contraband goods, the law of nations gives a belligerent nation the right of search; that is, the right, in time of war, to search neutral vessels, to ascertain their character, and what articles are on board.  A neutral vessel refusing to be searched by a lawful cruiser, would thereby render herself liable to condemnation as a prize.  Private merchant vessels only are subject to search; the right does not extend to public ships of war.

Sec.9.  The property of an enemy found on board of a neutral vessel, may be seized, if the vessel is beyond the limits of the jurisdiction of the nation to which she belongs; but the vessel is not confiscated; and the master is entitled to freight for the carriage of the goods.  The property of neutrals found in an enemy’s vessels, is to be restored to the owners.

Sec.10.  A neutral is forbidden by the law and practice of nations, to permit a belligerent to arm and equip vessels of war within her forts.  Nor may the citizens of a nation fit out any vessel, or enlist, to go beyond the limits of their own country to assist any people in war against another with whom they are at peace.