Case: The Venus, Rae, Master
Abbreviation: The Venus
Decision Date: 1814-03-12
Docket Number: 
Citation: 8 Cranch 253
Volume: 12
Reporter: United States Reports
Court: Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction: United States
Parties: The Venus, Rae, Master.
Judges: (Absent, Livingston, J.)
Pages: 162–201

Head Matter:
The Venus, Rae, Master.
Prize of war.
If a citizen of the United States establishes his domicil in a foreign country, between which and the United States hostilities afterwards break out, any property shipped by such citizen, before knowledge of the war, and captured by an American crulzer, after the declaration of war, must be condemned as lawful prize.
Upon a shipment of goods, to be sold on joint account of the consignee and shipper, or of the latter alone, at the option of the consignee, the right of property does not vest in the consignee, until he has made his election, under the option given him.
If two partners own jointly a commercial house in New York, and one of them obtain an American register for a ship, by swearing that he, together with his partner, of the city of New York, merchant, are the only owners of the vessel for which the register is obtained, when, in fact, his partner is domiciled in England, the vessel is liable to forfeiture, under the act of congress of December 31st, 1792.
Appeal from the sentence of the Circuit Court for the district of Massachusetts. The following were the facts of the case, as stated by .Washington, J., in delivering the opinion of the court.
This is the case of a vessel which sailed from Great Britain, with a cargo belonging to the respective claimants, as was contended', before the declaration of war by the United States against Great Britain was or could have been known by the shippers. She sailed from Liverpool, on the 4th of July 1812, under a British license, for the port of New York, and was captured, on the 6th of August 1812, by the American privateer Dolphin, and sent into the district of Massachusetts, where the vessel and cargo were libelled in the district court.
The ship, 100 casks of white lead, 150 crates of earthenware, 35 cases and 3 casks of copper, 9 pieces of cotton bagging, and a quantity of coal, were claimed by Lenox & Maitland. 198 packages of merchandise and 25 pieces of cotton bagging were claimed by Jonathan Amory, as the joint property of James Lenox, William Maitland and Alexander *McGregor ; not ¡-*254 distinguishing the proportions of each : but the 25 pieces of cotton *- bagging were afterwards claimed for McGregor as his sole property, and also 5 trunks of merchandise. 21 trunks of merchandise were claimed by James Magee, of New York, as the joint property of himself and John S. Jones, residing in Great Britain.
The district court, on the preparatory evidence, decreed restitution to Magee & Jones, and also to Lenox & Maitland, except as to the 100 casks of white lead ; as to which, and as to the claim of McGregor, further proof was ordered. From this decree, so far as it ordered restitution of the merchandize to Magee & Jones, and to Maitland, and of the ship to Lenox & Maitland, the captors appealed to the circuit court, where the decree was affirmed pro formd, and an appeal was taken to this court.
In April 1813, the cause was heard, on further proof, in the district court; and in August, the claim of McGregor was rejected, as well as that of Lenox <fc Maitland to the white lead. But at another day, on a further hearing, the court ordered restitution to McGregor of one-fourth of the property claimed by him, and condemned the other three-fourths as belonging to his partners, being British subjects. Both parties appealed, as did also Lenox & Maitland, in relation to the white lead. A pro formé decree of affirmance was made, from which an appeal was taken to this court.
Maitland, McGregor and Jones were native British subjects, who came to the United States, many years prior to the present war, and, after the regular period of residence, were admitted to the rights of naturalization. Some time after this, but long prior to the declaration of war, they returned to Great Britain, settled themselves there, and engaged in the trade of that country, where thejr were found carrying on their commercial business, at the time these shipments were made, and at the time of the capture. Mait*255] land is yet *in Great Britain, but has, since he heard of the capture, expressed his anxiety to return to the United States ; but has been prevented from doing so, by various causes set forth in his affidavit. McGregor actually returned to the United States some time in May last; Jones is still in England.
Pitman, for the captors.
In relation to the several claims set up in this case, it will be contended, on the part of the captors, 1st. That they are to be determined, as it respects the capacity to claim, by the national character of the claimants, at the time of the capture. If the claimants, at the time of capture, were British subjects, the property is undoubtedly liable to condemnation.
It is admitted, on all hands, that the claimants, Maitland, McGregor and Jones, had acquired a domicil in Great Britain, at the time of the declaration of war ; and were actually domiciled in that country, at the time of the capture : they must, therefore, be considered as British subjects, in reference to the property claimed by them respectively. Nor will an intention to return to the United States, if that intention be not manifested until after the capture, be of any avail; for it is a principle in prize law, that the national character of property, during war, cannot be altered, in transitu, by any act of the party, subsequent to the capture.
The following cases are considered as going to establish the foregoing positions: The Herstelder, 1 Rob. 97, 115 ; The Danckebaar Africaan, Ibid. 90, 107 ; The Boedes Lust, 5 Ibid. 207, 257 ; The Indian Chief, 3 Ibid. 12, 17 ; The Vigilantia, 1 Ibid. 11, 13 ; The Experiment, 2 Dall. 42 ; The Indian Chief, 3 Rob. 29 ; Livingston v. Maryland Ins. Co., 7 Or. 506 ; The Franklin, 3 Bos. & Pul. 207 n ; The Citto, 3 Rob. 37, 38 ; The Diana, 5 Ibid. 60 ; The Harmony, 2 Ibid. 264, 322 ; The Jonge Klassina, 5 Ibid. 265, 270.
It appears, that Maitland has, since he heard of the capture, expressed *256] his anxiety to return to the United *States ; and that McGregor did actually return. But we contend, upon the principle above stated, that neither the intention of Maitland, although formally naturalized in this country, nor the actual return of McGregor, inasmuch as they did not take place until after the capture, can avail for the purposes of their respective claims.
And even if it should be proved, that Maitland’s intention to return ■existed previous to the capture, it would not avail him, if nothing more than; intention could be proved. The case of The President, 5 Rob. 277, is in' point : it is there decided, that an intention to return is of no avail, unless that intention be evidenced by some overt act. Here, no such overt act, on the part of Maitland, is proved. The following cases go to establish the same point: The Citto, 3 Rob. 37, 38 ; Curtissos’ Case, cited in The Diana, 5 Ibid. 65, and in The Indian Chief, 3 Ibid. 12, 17. As to McGregor, see The Harmony, 3 Ibid. 264, 322.
McGregor’s return to America, after capture of the vessel, will not avail him unless he can prove, 1st. That he had, previous to the capture, set himself in motion to return. 2d. That ho had done so, with a bond fide intention of remaining in America. 3d. That he had no intention of returning to England. See the case of The Indian Chief, 3 Rob. 17, 12.
But the national character of these parties, Maitland, McGregor and Jones, does not depend upon domicil. They were originally native subjects of Great Britain ; and, after being naturalized in this country, they returned to England, and resumed their native allegiance, in violation of their oath of naturalization. By this conduct, we contend, that they lost the character of American citizens, and could not flagrante bello, resume it, for the mere purpose of protecting their property. In a court of the law of nations, as well as by the navigation laws of the United States, they cannot but be considered *as British subjects. In the case of La Virginie, 5 Rob. 98, Sir W. Scott said, “ It is always to be remembered, that the [*257 native character easily reverts, and that it requires fewer circumstances to constitute domicil, in the case of a native subject, than to impress the national character on one who is originally of another country.”
It is not necessary to contend against the doctrine of expatriation. We do not deny the right. We contend only, that in order to render his naturalization valid, for the purposes in question, a man must expatriate himself bond fide, must remove from his original country and not return to it, animo manendi. In support of this doctrine, see the act of congress of March 27th,-1804 (2 U. S. Stat. 206), also act of 31st December 1792, § 2 (1 Ibid. 288), Talbot v. Jansen, 3 Dali. 153. The British doctrine on this subject is well-known. “ Once a British subject, always a British subject,” -is an established rule in the English law. Great Britain respects the naturalization laws of the United States only for commercial purposes. If one of her subjects be naturalized in this country, and afterwards return to a British territory, she. considers him as still, to all intents and purposes, a British subject. She does not even require him to abjure his adopted allegiance.
It is to be presumed, that Maitland, McGregor and Jones knew the laws of their own country : yet, with this knowledge, they returned to England ; and that, as it appears from their subsequent conduct, not for a temporary purpose merely, but animo manendi. They have estalished there a house of trade. They have placed themselves and their property under the protection of Great Britain, and cannot now, with any show of reason, claim protection from the United States, although the United States may still claim something from them. Murray v. The Charming Betsey, 2 Cr. 120.
It is evident, from all the circumstances of the present case, that Maitland did not intend to return to the United States, until he heard of p25g the capture of the vessel: *on the contrary, it appears that, with a L full knowledge of the war, he made his election to remain in England. When McGregor left England for the United States, he embarked as a British subject. His passport was from the privy council, and signed by Lord Sidmouth ; whereas, American citizens obtained their passports from the alien office. He is still a partner in a house of trade in England ; he is engaged in a British trade. It remains for these parties to explain their conduct. We have stated the facts, and the burden of proof now lies on the claimants. Such would be the rule, even if they were neutrals. The Citto, 3 Rob. 37, 38 ; The Dree Gebroeders, 4 Ibid. 191, 232 ; The Bernon, 1 Ibid. 88, 104 ; The Vigilantia, Ibid. 12, 15 ; The Portland, 3 Ibid. 40, 41; The Ocean, 5 Ibid. 91 ; The Harmony, 2 Ibid. 264, 322.
In attempting to establish the national character of these claimants, as American citizens, it was said in the court below, that they held landed property in this country. This argument is overthrown by the decision in the case of The Dree Gebroeders cited above ; 4 Rob. 194, 235.
2. It appears that McGregor has fraudulently attempted to cover the whole property in question; his claim, therefore, being false in part, he cannot recover even his own share, although we should admit him to be an American citizen. The whole, therefore, is justly liable to condemnation. The Susa, 2 Rob. 212, 257 ; The Odin, 1 Ibid. 210, 250; The Rosalie and Betty, 2 Ibid. 281, 343 ; The Graaf Bernstorf, 3 Ibid. 92, 109 ; The Jonge Pieter, 4 Ibid. 65, 74.
3. As to the claim of Lenox & Maitland to the ship, we contend, 1st. That, under the act of congress of March 27th, 1804 (2 U. S. Stat. 206), she cannot be considered as an American vessel. By that act, it is declared, “ That no ship or vessel shall be entitled to be registered as a ship or vessel of the United States, or, if registered, to the benefits thereof, if owned, in whole or in part, by any person naturalized in the United States, and resid:¡.25C.-| ing for more than one year in *the country from which he originated, -1 &c. But Maitland had been residing in England more than a year, and consequently, was not entitled to an American register. 2d. That Lenox being found in violation of the law, as it respected the ship’s register, he is not rectus in curió, for the purpose of claiming the ship. Vide the cases cited in The Rapid, on this point, viz., The Walsingham Packet, 2 Rob. 72, 77 ; The Cornelis and Maria, 5 Ibid. 28, 32 ; The Recovery, 6 Ibid. 348. 3d. That Lenox & Maitland having attempted to conceal enemy’s property (the 100 casks of white lead), and to withdraw the same from the belligerent rights of the United States, by a fraudulent shipment and claim, their claims to the property captured therewith must be rejected, and the penalty of confiscation attaches to the same. This principle is intended to be applied to the claim of Maitland as well to the cargo as to the ship).
There can be no reasonable doubt, that the lead belonged to some person or persons other than the claimants. The following facts are considered as conclusive on this point: 1. The original bill of parcels inclosed in a letter dated 3d July 1812, from Wm. Maitland & Co. to Lenox & Maitland, is headed thus : “ Thomas Holloway bought of Thomas Walker, Malby & Co., lead merchants,” and is dated at Liverpool, June 2d, 1812. 2. In the bill of lading of the goods claimed as the property of Lenox & Maitland, in which the white lead is included, the freight and primage is cast upon the lead, in the margin of the bill of lading, and not upon the crates, copper, bagging or coal. 3. To a letter from Maitland to Lenox, of 22d August 1812, found on board the Lady Gallatin, is annexed a list of goods shipped by William Maitland Ss Co., by the Venus, on account of and consigned to Messrs. J. Lenox and William Maitland. In this list, all the goods claimed by Lenox & Maitland, and by Lenox, Maitland and McGregor, are enumerated, except the white lead. 4. Upon the order for further proof, in the district *court, no further proof was offered respecting the lead. Maitland, in his affidavit made January 7th, 1813, in Liverpool, swears that the L copper, crates, coals and bagging were purchased and shipped on board the Venus, on the sole account and risk of himself and Lenox : he also swears as to their joint property with McGregor; but says not a word about the lead. From these circumstances, we must conclude, that the white lead was the property of Thomas Holloway, an acknowledged British subject; that it is, therefote, liable to condemnation, and subjects the property captured with it to the same fate.
4. In respect to the claim of Magee & Jones, we contend, that at the time of capture, the property belonged solely to Jones, a British morchant and subject, and is, therefore, to be condemned as enemy property. In the bill of lading of these goods, they are expressed to be shipped by McGregor & Co. unto and on account of James Magee & Co., of New York. The invoice is signed by Jones, at Manchester, and describes them as goods to be shipped on board the Venus, and to be consigned to James Magee & Co., of New York ; but does not specify on whose account and risk. It is, therefore, to be considered, as at the risk of Jones. V-ide on this point, the case of The Marianna, 6 Rob. 27.
In a letter from John S. Jones to James Magee & Co., dated at Manchester, 1st July 1812, he says, “This serves to hand you invoice of 21 trunks prints, per Venus, amount 13231. 13s. Od., subject to the same terms as the goods per Aristomenes ; that is, to be sold on joint account, or on mine, at your option.” Now, to effect a change of property, it is essential, that there be a contract of sale agreed to by both parties. Here appears to have been no such contract. The property, therefore, at the time of capture, was exclusively in Jones. If Jones had a right to stop these goods in transitu, so had the United States, who, by the laws of war, succeeded to his rights. The Constantia, 6 Rob. 127. The Copenhagen, 1 Ibid. 245, 291, is an analogous case.
*Stockton, contra,
for McGregor, contended, 1st. That McGregor, to the exclusion of his partners, Lenox and Maitland, was owner of one-half of 198 packages of Manchester goods, and one-half of 25 pieces of cotton bagging, and to the whole of five trunks of goods. 2d. That these goods were not the goods of an enemy, and ought to be restored to McGregor as an American citizen.
In support of the first point, he relied on the ship’s papers, on certain letters of Maitland & Co., and of McGregor himself, on the affidavits of McGregor in the court below, &c. He contended, that the testimony on this point, introduced since the evidence in preparatorio, was incompetent; but if competent, not important. The cause was heard in September 1812, and further proof allowed for the claimants ; but no such order on the part •of the captors, nor any order to proceed by plea and proof. The cause stood, on their side, on the proof taken in preparatorio. The evidence introduced by them is upon simple affidavit. The Adriana, 1 Rob. 263, 313. Letter from Sir W. Scott and Sir J. Nicholl to Mr. Jay, 1 Rob. (Am. ed.) p. 8.
Second point. As to the national character of McGregor. He came to the United States a minor ; was an established merchant in New York before 1795 ; he was then naturalized; he married in New York, and purchased a house there, before his departure for England, which he still z-etains : he has also purchased laz’ge tracts of land in the states of New Yoz-k and New Jersey, which he yet owns : he resided about twelve years in New York. His return to England was produced by temporary causes. In 1798, he returned thither on account of the sickness of his wife, who died in Scotland. His second return was for his own health. In 1805, he commenced business in Liverpool, as an American merchant. His employment was that of an American merchant, shipping goods from England, and receiving American produce to sell there on commission. His residence in England was in time of peace : it was lawful, and could in no manner impair *2621 r%^ts as a *°itizen of the United States. He had no intention to J abandon his Amez-ican rights, or to remain pezmanently in England ; but intended to return to the United States, whenever his duty should require him to z-etuz-n. Such a residence, in time of peace, could not stamp a hostile chaz-acter upon him ; and at the breaking out of war, he was entitled to a reasonable time to depart from the British dominions, before he could foz-feit his American character, and become identified with the enemy. He did depart therefrom, and returned to the United States, with his family, within a year after the declaration of war. His haying formed a connection in tz-ade with British partners was a lawful act, which did not derogate from his American chaz-acter, but extended and facilitated his business as an American mez-chant.
Congress did izot mean to authorize the captuz-e of property belonging to mere inhabitants of the hostile country. When the bill to authorize the president to issue letters of marque was brought into the senate of the United States, in June'1812, it authorized him to issue them against all persons inhabiting in Great Bz-itain or its territories or possessions ; but was -amended in the senate, so as to authorize him to issue them only against the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the subjects thereof. See the Secz-et Jozzrnal of the Senate for June 1812.
Many cases have been cited by the counsel for the captors, in his endeavor to pz-ove this a case for condemnation. The answer to most of them is, that the controversy in those cases was between neutrals and belligerents ; not between Great Bz-itain and her subjects. The two cases are entirely different in principle. The connection between a citizen and his government depends on the municipal law of the land. The rights of a neutral depend upon the law of nations.
With regard to the doctrine of naturalization, it is well known, that, by the law of England, a person naturalized by act of parliament is as much a subject, to all intents and puz-poses, as a native. Co. Litt. 129 a; 1 Bl. Com. 374. McGregor, we have seen, was naturalized in the United States. But it is said, that he has returned to his former allegiance, and thereby *lost his American character. This we deny. He returned to England in time of peace, by which, we contend, he neither forfeited nor abandoned his character as an American citizen. Our act of naturalization contains nothing to authorize the opinion that he did. Nor could he throw off his adopted allegiance, if he would. If found in arms against us, he would be punished as a traitor.
The act of March 1804, which has been cited by the captors, merely declares that a naturalized citizen shall lose one particular privilege of his citizenship, by residing for more than a year in the country from which he ■originated ; from which, the implication is clear, that he shall retain all his other privileges.
In the case of The Charming Betsy, 2 Cranch 64, and in the case of McIlvaine v. Coxe's Lessee, 4 Cranch 211, the decision of this court was, that residence in a foreign country does not deprive an American citizen of his rights as such. It has been decided also, that by such residence, in time of peace, the national character is not changed upon the sudden breaking out of a war. Residence in time of peace is lawful; and if the person so residing return to his own country, in a reasonable time after the breaking out of the war, he does not lose his original national character. Marryat v. Wilson, 1 Bos. & Pul. 442 ; Vattel, lib. 1, c. 19, § 218, p. 169. Sir W. Scott has never said, that such a residence would, on the sudden breaking out of a war, give a hostile character to the resident: he has never gone so far as to condemn property situated like that now in question. The Ocean, 5 Rob. 90.
Vattel (lib. 3, c. 4, § 63, p. 4'7'T) says, that the sovereign declaring war is to allow those subjects of the enemy who are within his dominions at the time of the declaration, a reasonable time for withdrawing with their effects : and certainly a nation ought not to grant less indulgence to its own citizens than the enemy allows them. I trust, this court is not yet prepared to adopt, even with respect to neutrals, much less with regard to American citizens, the rigid rules of the British court of admiralty — a mere political court; a prerogative court regulated by the king’s orders in council, *designed to give Great Britain the sovereignty of the ocean, to sub- . ject the whole commerce of the world to her gx-asp, and to make the *■ law of nations just what her policy would wish it to be.
It is doubtful, whether the court ought to condemn, under the circumstances of the present case, although it should-be proved that the property in question was enemy property. The shipment, in the present case, was made on the faith of the representations of the American charge d'affaires, Mi-. Russell ; who had given it as his opinion, that property shipped after the repeal of the British orders in council, and before knowledge of the war, would be admitted into the United States. Under these circumstances, the conduct of the owners of this property was perfectly justifiable. It has been decided in a British court, that property which comes into the possession of a nation, under the public faith, is not liable to forfeiture, and congress has virtually acknowledged the same principle, by passing the act of 2'7th February 1813, remitting the forfeitures which had accrued under the non-intercourse act of March 1st, 1809. (2 U. S. Stat. 804.) Vide Mr. Russell’s statement in the report of the committee of congress, Journal of House of Representatives ; and the case of The Althea, cartel, which was captured at Halifax as American property, and discharged by Judge Croke, because it came into the possession of the British under the public faith.
Pitman,
as to the objection to the invocation of papers from other courts, cited the following authorities : 14th Interrogate, 1 Rob. (Am. ed.) 323 ; The Romeo, 6 Ibid. 351; The Convenientia, 4 Ibid. 170, 205 ; The Magnus, 1 Ibid. 27, 31 ; The Eenrom, 2 Ibid. 2, 3 ; The Susa, Ibid. 211, 254 ; The Rosalie and Petty, Ibid. 281, 343. He observed, that there was an order, in the circuit court, for further proof on the part of the captors, saving the question whether it Avere a case for further proof.
Harper,
for Lennox & Maitland, and Jones & Magee. Lennox & Mait^anc^ *lst. The ship Venus. 2nd. As their joint property, the J Avhite lead, crates, copper, cotton bagging and coal. 3d. One moiety of 198 packages of merchandise and cotton bagging, as the joint property of Lennox & Maitland and Alexander McGregor, and shipped by them.
Magee & Jones claim 21 trunks of prints, part of the cargo of the Venus as their joint property.
Lenox and Maitland are natives of Scotland. They removed many years since to NeAV York, where the former was naturalized, on the 10th of November 1794, and the latter, on the 8th of July 1804. They entered into partnership in trade, in 1797, and established their house in New York, in which they were alone interested, under the name and firm of J. Lenox & W. Maitland ; Avhich has continued to the present time. For fourteen years, they both resided, without interruption, in the city of New York, carrying on the business of their American house, as American citizens ; and, as such, they hold Araluable real estate in the city and in the state of New York, and also hold American registered ships. Lenox still resides in New York ; but Maitland, in July 1810, to promote the interest of their commercial establishment in New York, by attending the sales of the shipments to Europe and the returns to America, went to Liverpool, in England, where, in 1811, he took a house and counting-room, and transacted business for the said concern, under the name and firm of W. Maitland & Co., consisting only of said Lenox and Maitland. He has long since given up his counting-room, and attempted to dispose of his house ; and is still in England, detained there by sickness. In July 1812, and long before and at the time of the capture of the Venus, by the Dolphin, Lenox and Maitland were the sole owners >f the said ship, under an American register. The Venus sailed from Liverpool for New York, on the 4th of July 1812, with a cargo of British produce and manufactures, the proceeds of the funds of Lenox & Maitland, with instructions to wait off the Hook, to knoAV if the goods could be landed. * , Proceeding *Avith her cargo on this voyage, she was captured and J libelled as has been before stated.
James Magee Avas naturalized, 9th August 1803, and has ever since resided and been established in New York. John S. Jones was naturalized,' 10th December 1795, and resided in Ncav York thirteen years. In 1810, he went to Manchester (England), and arrangements were made for shipping goods to Magee, the partner in Nerv York.
It has been contended, on the part of the captors, with regard to the ship, that, by the laws of the United States, she is not to be deemed an American ship, nor entitled to the benefits of an American register, on account of the residence of Maitland in Liverpool, for more than a year. Admitting, for the sake of argument, that this position is correct, still, we contend, that the ship is not forfeited. She has merely incurred the disability attached to a foreign ship. Her owners are still American citizens, but have lost the privilege of availing themselves of the register. It is contended, however, that this very disability which attaches to the ship, renders her belligerent property. This is truly a novel doctrine. There is no law by which it can be supported.
As to the right of Lenox to his share of the ship, there can be no reasonable doubt. He is certainly an American citizen, and has done nothing to forfeit that character. He has been naturalized in this country, and has continued to reside here ever since. It is said, however, that he has made a false claim to the white lead. This point will be considered in the course of the argument.
Maitland, it is true, has been residing in England for a considerable time past; and it is upon this ground, that the ship and cargo, are claimed by the captors. They contend, that his residence in England (although an American citizen) clothes him with a hostile character. *To this it may be answered, that the residence which imparts a hostile charac- L ter, must be residence connected with some act of commerce blended with the commercial transactions of the enemy. Mere residence does not give a hostile character, so long as the resident refrains from all voluntary acts tending to the aid and comfort of the enemy. If he engages in the enemy’s commerce, he must, to be sure, be considered as an enemy ; but even then, only to the extent of the commercial property engaged in the hostile trade, which may chance to be captured. A man in an enemy’s country may send home books or furniture purchased, before the war, for his own use, and they will not be hostile property. There must be a trading with the enemy, to constitute an offence. Trading is essential; time is not. A mere continuation in an enemy’s country, after the commencement'of hostilities, without any act of trade, has never been decided to constitute a man an enemy. Sir W. Scott himself allows a person found in the enemy’s country, a reasonable time to withdraw his effects, and even to trade with the enemy, so far as it may be necessary for the removal of his property. The Indian Chief, 3 Rob. 12, 17; The Madonna delle Grade, 4 Ibid. 161, 195 ; The Hoop, 1 Ibid. 165, 196.
But it is said, that though an illegal act should be proved to have been committed by Maitland, yet that Lenox has been guilty of making a false claim to part of the cargo, which act of Lenox has criminally affected the property of Maitland. We answer, that the doctrine on the subject of covering enemy property, applies only to neutrals; but Lenox was a citizen of the United States. Besides, it does not by any means appear, that, in making this claim, Lenox was influenced by a fraudulent motive. His conduct was, in all probability, owing to mistake. He had not seen the letters and papers proving the property, claimed by him, to belong to the enemy ; and therefore, cannot be supposed to have known that fact.
It is further urged by the captors, that a letter by the Lady Gallatin, of 22d August 1812, shows that a purchase of 100 bags of cotton was made by Maitland, after knowledge of the war. *To the admissibility of pi^gg the invoked papers, among which this letter is. one, we have already *- objected, and must still insist upon the objection. Setting aside those papers, it does not appear, that Maitland did purchase the cotton; after knowledge of the war : and the presumption ought to be in his favor. But suppose, this single purchase was made one day after war was known to exist (which is all the captors contended for), is this sufficient to fix a hostile character, especially, under circumstances like those attending this transaction, when it was universally supposed, that the repeal of the orders in council would have put an end to the war ?
With regard to Jones, it has only been proved, that he was residing in England, a few months after the commencement of hostilities ; but there is no evidence that he has not returned; nor is there any evidence of his having traded with the enemy. The burden of proof lies on the captors.
Dexter, in reply.
In cases like that now before the court, the advantage in obtaining evidence is clearly on the side of the claimants. They have in their power the knowledge of all the facts relative to the case. The evidence in prceparatorio consists of the documents on board the ship, and the testimony of the crew. They may make out their own case. If the evidence in their favor be deficient, they may have an order for further proof, which does not give the captors any opportunity of introducing further evidence on their part. Under circumstances so manifestly advantageous, if the claimants do not fully prove their case, the presumption must be against them. Whether the claimants in the present case have satisfactorily done so, it is for the court to decide.
With regard to the question of domicil. Sir W. Scott has decided, that the animus manendi is to be presumed, under circumstances perfectly analogous to those of the present case. Wbat are the facts with regard to the several parties whose claims are now disputed ? McGregor, it appears, is a native of Scotland : he became a citizen of the United States, by naturalization, in 1795, and resided at New York until 1802, except a temporary *2691 *visit f° bis native country, for the health of his wife. In 1802, he left New York for his own health, and in 1804, established himself in a house of trade in Liverpool (England), in connection with James Dennistown, a British subject. Two other partners were afterwards admitted, both British subjects. McGregor was the only one of the partners who resided in Liverpool, and was the acting partner of the concern. He married a second wife in Great Britain, and had several children there, during his residence in Liverpool. These facts are abundantly sufficient to establish his domicil.
The question, then, remains — did he take timely and sufficient steps, after knowledge of the war, to divest himself of his British character, and return to the United States ? This does not appear. On the contrary, it appears from papers invoked and introduced into this cause, and it is not contradicted, that he continued his connection with his British partners, ten months after the declaration of war, and as acting partner of the house, made a shipment to Halifax. He has not, in any of his affidavits, declared that he did not continue his trade. The testimony on his part does not deny all secret trusts. He comes into court, well informed of the suit, yet without the books, articles of partnership, original bills of parcels, and the other papers connected with the transactions under consideration.
It has been urged in his defence, that being a commission-merchant, having the property of others in his hands, and being the only acting partner of the firm, he was justified in remaining in England, until he could wind up his business. But this is no sufficient justification. The contracts of a citizen residing abroad, must be consistent with the interests of his country. If the good of his country requires his return, as in the event of wrar, it is his duty to leave his business in other hands. McGregor might have left his affairs to the care of his partners.
Most of the facts with regard to Maitland have been already stated. It may be added, however, that he continued to reside in England and was transacting business *there, as late as April 1813 ; whereas, the war was known on the 24th or 26th of July 1812. In his letter of the 22d of August 1812, in which he informs his partner of a purchase of cotton wool he had just made, he says nothing of any intention of returning to the United States. His continuance in England is defended on nearly the same grounds as that of McGregor, viz., his extensive mercantile concerns. Sickness was not alleged by him as an excuse, until 13th April 1813.
As to the goods shipped by Jones, it has already been observed, that in his letter to Magee of 1st of July 1812, he gives him his option either to be interested in them or not. Of course, at the time of the shipment, they were the sole property of Jones ; and before the letter was received by Magee — before there was a possibility of his making an election — the goods were captured ; but it is an acknowledged rule of prize law, that the character of goods cannot change in transitu ; at the time of capture, therefore, they were the sole property of Jones, and must, we contend, be condemned in toto.
Besides the particular circumstances which have been urged in justification of the individuals concerned in this cause, a general defence has been set up, viz : That though the property in question should be determined to be British, yet it came here under the faith of the nation ; and is, therefore, entitled to protection. Yattel, it is said, lays down this doctrine : this is not denied. But did the property in controversy come into the country under the national faith ? It was not here, at the breaking out of hostilities. It was not brought into the country, until after the declaration of war; and then it was brought in as a prize of war. Besides, if it was considered as protected on this principle, why wras the attempt made to cover it under the name of McGregor ? This has a suspicious appearance ; and shows clearly that the claimants themselves placed little reliance on the circumstance which is now urged in their defence.
As to the objection to the admission of the invoked papers, it need only bo observed, that the counsel for the ^claimants is under a mistake on the subject. There was an order for further proof on the part of the *- captors ; and under that order, these papers were invoked.
The great question of law on the subject of domicil yet remains to be examined. Three classes of residents are recognised by the law of nations. 1st. Mere residents. 2d. Domiciled residents. 3d. Natural-born subjects.
Before entering upon the discussion of the main question, I would remark, with regard to some observations which have fallen from the counsel for the claimants, respecting the severity of the rules adopted by the British court of admiralty, that these rules have been applied by Sir W. Soon Axith equal rigor to British subjects as to neutrals ; which is a sufficient answer to the allegation that they have been introduced merely to subserve the grasping policy of the British nation, and destroy ali neutral commerce.
1. With regard, then, to the first class of residents. It is admitted, that mere residence in a foreign country, for a particular temporary purpose, without engaing in the commerce of the country, is not sufficient to change the national character.
2. Residence in a foreign country, connected with the carrying on a general trade and mixing in the commercial affairs of the nation, constitutes domicil; thereby making a man, sub modo, a subject of that foreign country : and in case of war breaking out between his original and adopted country, if he continues, notAvithstanding, to reside and trade in the latter, he is to be considered by his original country, as invested with a hostile character to all intents and purposes. He ought- not, it will be admitted, to be considered in this light, immediately on the declaration of war : he ought, perhaps, to be allowed " a reasonable time to make his election whether to *2721 ««main *Avhere ho is, or return to his OAvn country. Respectable J authorities, hoAvever, have said that, if required, he is bound to return. Sir W. Scott says, he is bound immediately to put himself in motion to return.
3. As to mere native subjects, it is needless to make any remarks. The piersons whose national character is now in question are natural-born subjects of Great Britain, naturalized in the United States, and who afterwards returned to the country of their nativity. These persons, Ave contend, are, even without the intervention of a war, as much British subjects as if they had never been naturalized in another country. The British government had a right to prevent their return to the United States. In saying this, we Avould not be understood as admitting the legality of impressment; the cases are materially different.
The naturalization laAV of the United States requires permanent residence : and no longer than that residence continues, can a man claim the privileges of naturalization. Before he can be admitted to those privileges, he must abjure all allegiance to the state of which he was before a citizen. By so doing, he binds himself not to return to that state ; by returning, he violates his oath ; and can thereafter claim no protection from the country which he has thus abandoned. Abjuration does not absolve him fx-om his former allegiance ; he may incur iicav duties, but he cannot swear axvay his old ‘ obligations. It is for this coux-t to explain the true meaning of the law of naturalization. It may, however, be observed, that neither the constitution nor the lax\rs of the United States consider a naturalized citizen in the same light as a native. The laxvs of Gx-eat Britain also, and indeed the laws of every country, make a distinction betAveen the tAvo. A native is considered as a citizen, Avhercvcr he goes ; but a person naturalized is no longer looked upon as a citizen, than Avhile he continues in his adopted country. No nation confers the privilege of naturalization without an equivalent; no nation extends its px-otection to naturalized subjects, if they return to their former coxxnti-y. And shall AAre be an exception ? Shall we be the first to extend to naturalized foreigners this Quixotic protection ?
*The expression “ adfidem utriusque regis,” fx-om Calvin?s caset has been mis-translated, “ the faith of both kings.” Had that been 166 the meaning of the phrase, it would have been utrumque regum, in the plural : the meaning is, that a man may be the subject of either power according to his residence. Were the doctrine, that he may be the subject of both, correct, he would have it in his power to enjoy the privileges of both governments, without being subject to the duties of either.
With regard to the false claim of Lenox. It is a rule of jirize law, that a man who makes a false claim, to protect enemy property, forfeits any property of his own that may be captured with it. This Lenox appears to have done, with respect to the white lead. If he has, not only his own property is forfeited, but that of Maitland, his partner, must share the same fate. What has been said by the counsel for the claimants to exculpate Lenox, is mere conjecture.
As to the ship. It is clear, that the register was improperly obtained— not to say fraudulently. Maitland, by residing in England, was not entitled to an American register. Lenox, by concealing, when on oath, the fact of Maitland’s residence in England, becomes particeps criminis, and if he mixes his interest with that of his partner, the same decree must be rendered as to the property of both.
Stockton,
with regard to the withholding of papers with which McGregor was taxed by the counsel on the opposite side, stated, that the decree of the court below was only rendered in October last, when McGregor had the first intimation that the papers were required ; since which, there had not been time to obtain them.
Saturday, March 12th, 1814.
(Absent, Livingston, J.)
The Frances, post, p. 371. See United States». Guillem, 11 How. 60; The William Bagaley, 5 Wall 408; Miller v. United States, 11 Id. 305.

Opinion:
Washington, J.,
after stating the facts of the case, delivered the opinion of the majority of the court, as follows : — The claims of Maitland, McGregor and Jones are resisted, in toto, upon an objection to the national character of the claimants. The general question affecting *these parties, will, for the present, be " postponed, in order to dispose of particular objections which are made l to all the claims, either in whole or in part, and which will depend on the particular circumstances applying to those cases.
1. The first claim that will be considered will be that of Lenox & Maitland to the -100 casks of white lead, which, it is contended, is the property of Thomas Holloway, an acknowledged British subject, but shipped in June 1812, by William Maitland & Co. (a house established in Liverpool, and composed of William Maitland and James Lenox), to Lenox & Maitland, a house established at New York, and composed of the same parties. To establish the fact of property in Thomas Holloway, the captor relies upon the following evidence : The original bill of parcels, inclosed in a letter, under date of the 3d of July 1812, from. William Maitland & Co. to Lenox & Maitland, which is headed thus, " Thomas Holloway bought of Thomas Walker & Co., lead merchants," dated June 2d, 1812. In corroboration of this primd facie evidence of property in Holloway, the freight and primage of this lead is cast in the margin of the bill of lading, but not so upon the acknowledged property of Lenox & Maitland, the owners of the ship, and included in the same bill of lading ; from which circumstances, it is argued, that this article did not belong to Lenox & Maitland; since, if it did, no freight could have been charged on it, any more than upon the other parts of the cargo claimed by them. In addition to this, in a list of goods shipped by William Maitland & Co. by this vessel, on account of and consigned to Lenox & Maitland, and inclosed in a letter of the 22d August 1812, from the former to the latter, by the Lady Gallatin, all the goods claimed by that house separately, and also by them and McGregor jointly, are enumerated, except this parcel of white lead. This evidence is certainly very strong to fix a hostile character on this property ; and is rendered conclusive, by the omission of Maitland, in his affidavit made under the order for further proof, to say anything in relation to the white lead, although he is very particular as to all the other property claimed by Lenox & Maitland, and by jüoh-i that house jointly Avith McGregor. This court is, *therefore, of opin- ion, that the court below did right in rejecting this claim.
2. The next claim to be considered, is that of Magee & Jones to a part of the cargo on board this vessel. Magee is a citizen of the United States, settled in New York, and connected Avith Jones in a house of trade. It is urged by the captors, that the whole of this property ought to have been condemned as the sole property of Jones. The bill of lading of these goods expresses them to be shipped by McGregor & Co., unto and on account of James Magee & Co., of New York. The invoice is signed by Jones, at Manchester, in England, and describes them as goods to be shipped 'on board the Venus, and to be consigned to James Magee & Co., of Noav York ; but it does not specify on whose account and risk. In a letter from Jones to Magee, dated the 1st of July 1812, covering an invoice of these goods, he says, " they are to be sold on joint account, or on mine, at your option." The whole question, as to the exclusive property of Jones in these goods, is rested, by the captors, upon the above expressions giving an option to Magee to be jointly concerned or not in the shipment. The question of laAV is, in Avhom the right of property was at the time of capture ? To effect a change of property, as between seller and buyer, it is essential, that there should be a contract of sale, agreed to by both parties; and if the thing agreed to be sold, is to be sent by the vendor to the vendee, it is necessary to the perfection of the contract, that it should be delivered to the purchaser or to his agent, which the master, to many purposes, is considered to be. The only evidence of a contract, such as is now set up, appears in the affidavit of Magee, who states, that in 1810, he was in England, and agreed Avith Jones, that the' latter should ship goods on joint account, when the intercourse betAveen the two countries should be opened ; and that in consequence of this agreement, the present shipment was made. Noav, admit that such an agreement was made, yet the delivery of the goods to the master of the vessel was not for the use of Magee & Jones, any more than it was for the use of the shipper solely ; and consequently, it amounted to nothing so as to divest the property out of the shipper, *2761 UIV*M Magee should elect to take them on joint account, or *to act as J the agent of Jones. Until this election was made, the goods were at the risk of the shipper, which is conclusive as to the right of property.
8. The next claim is that of Lenox & Maitland to the ship. The facts in relation to this subject are, that James Lenox, as joint-owner, with William Maitland, of this ship, obtained, in November 1811, a register for her, which Avas granted upon his oath, that he, together with William Maitland, of the city of New York, merchant, were the only owners. At this time, Maitland Avas domiciled in Great Britain; and it is contended, that the state ment that Maitland was of New York, was untrue, and subjected the vessel to forfeiture, under the act of congress of the 31st of December 1792 ; and that although no claim is interposed for the United States, still the forfeiture produced by the misconduct of Lenox, is sufficient to turn him out of court, whatever disposition may ultimately be made of the property. The rule of the prize court is correctly stated in this argument; and the only question is, whether a forfeiture did accrue to the United States. The act of congress directs, that the owner who takes the oath, in case there are more than one owner, shall, in his oath, specify the names and places of abode of such owners, and that they are citizens of the United States, if such be the fact; and if one or more of them reside abroad, as a partner or partners in a co-partnership consisting of citizens, and carrying on trade with the United States, that such is the case. The law then proceeds to declare, that if any of the matters of fact in the said oath alleged, within the knowledge of the party swearing, shall not be true, the ship shall be forfeited to the United States. It cannot be denied, that at the time this oath was taken, William Maitland was a resident merchant of Great Britain, carrying on trade with the United States ; a fact totally inconsistent with that alleged in the oath, that he was of the city of New York. It is probable, and the court is willing to believe, that this statement was innocently made, under a misconception of the real character which the foreign domicil of Maitland had impressed upon him. But still, the law required explicitness on this point, and marked the distinction between a person residing abroad, and one residing within the United States. It must be admitted, in point of law, *that the fact sworn to by Lenox was not true ; and the consequence r*277 is, a forfeiture of the ship to the United States. The claim, there- L fore, of Lenox & Maitland to this vessel must be rejected. What order shall be made as to the ultimate disposition of the property, must depend upon the opinion which this court may give in some other cases touching this subject.
The great question involved in this, and many other of the prize cases which have been argued, is, whether the property of these claimants who were settled in Great Britain, and engaged in the commerce of that country, shipped before they had a knowledge of the war, but which was captured, after the declaration of war, by an American cruizer, ought to be condemned as lawful prize.. It is contended by the captors, that as these claimants had gained a domicil in Great Britain, and continued to enjoy it, up to the time when war was declared, and when these captures were made, they must be considered as British subjects, in reference to this property, and consequently, that it may legally be seized as prize of war, in like manner as if it had belonged to real British subjects. But if not so, it is then insisted, that these claimants having, after their naturalization in the United States, returned to Great Britain, the country of their birth, and there resettled themselves, they became reintegrated British subjects, and ought to be considered by this court in the same light as if they had never emigrated. On the other side, it is argued, that American citizens settled in the country of the enemy, as these persons were, at the time war was declared, were entitled to a reasonable time to elect, after they knew of the war, to remain there, or to return to the United States ; and that, until such election was, bond fide, made, the courts of this country are bound to consider them as American citizens, and their property shipped before they had an opportunity to make this election, as being protected against American capture.
There being no dispute as to the facts upon which the domicil of these claimants is asserted, the questions of law alone remain to be considered. They are two : 1st. By what means and to what extent, a national character *2* -, may be impressed upon a person, different *from that which perma- • nent allegiance gives him ? And 2d. What are the legal consequences to which this acquired character may expose him, in the event of a war taking place between the country of his residence and that of his birth, or in which he had been naturalized ?
1. The writers upon the law of nations distinguish between a temporary residence in a foreign country, for a special purpose, and a residence accompanied with an intention to make it a permanent place of abode. The latter is styled by Yattel, domicil, which he defines to be,' "a habitation fixed in any place, with an intention of always staying there." Such a person, says this author, becomes a member of the new society, at least, as a permanent inhabitant, and is a kind of citizen of an inferior order from the native citizens ; but is, nevertheless, united and subject to the society, without participating in all its advantages. This right of domicil, he continues, is not established, unless the person makes sufficiently known his intention of fixing there, either tacitly, or by an express declaration. Yatt. p. 92, 93. Grrotius no where uses the word domicil, but he also distinguishes between those who stay in a foreign country, by the necessity of their affairs, or from any other temporary cause, and those who reside there from a permanent cause. The former he denominates strangers, and the latter, subjects ; and it will presently be seen, by a reference to the same author, what different consequences these two characters draw after them.
The doctrine of the prize courts, as well as of the courts of common law, in England, which, it was hinted, if not • asserted, in argument, had no authority of universal law to stand upon, is the same ivith what is stated by the above writers ; except that it is less general, and confines the consequences resulting from this acquired character to the property of those persons engaged in the commerce of the country in which they reside. It is decided by those courts, that whilst an Englishman, or a neutral, resides in a hostile country, he is a subject of that country, and is to be considered *2791 (even *by bis own or native country, in the former case), as having J a hostile character impressed upon him.
In deciding whether a person has obtained the right of an acquired domicil, it is not to be expected, that much, if any, assistance should bo derived from mere elementary writers on the law of nations. They can only lay down the general principles- of law ; and it becomes the duty of courts to establish rules for the proper application of those principles. The question, Avhether the person to be affected by the right of domicil had sufficiently made known his intention of fixing himself permanently in the foreign country, must dejjend upon all the circumstances of the case. If he had made no express declaration on the subject, and his secret intention is to be discovered, his acts must be attended to, as affording the most satisfactory evidence of his intention. On this ground it is, that the courts of England have decided, that a person who removes to a foreign country, settles himself there, and engages in the trade of the country, furnishes, by these acts, such evidence of an intention permanently to reside there, as to stamp him with the national character of the state where he resides. In questions cn this subject, the chief point to be considered, is the animus manendi; and courts are to devise such reasonable rules of evidence as may -establish the fact of intention. If it sufficiently appear, that the intention of removing was to make a permanent settlement, or for an indefinite time, the right of domicil is acquired by a residence even of a few days. This is one of the rules of the British courts, and it appears to be perfectly reasonable. Another is, that a neutral or subject, found residing in a foreign country is presumed to be there animo manendi ; and if a state of war should bring his national character into question, it lies upon him to explain the circumstances of his residence. The Bernon, 1 Rob. 86, 102. As to some other rules of the prize courts of England, particularly those which fix a national character upon a person on the ground of constructive residence, or the peculiar nature of his trade, the court is not called upon to give an opinion at this time : because, in this case, it is admitted that the claimants had acquired a right of domicil in Great *Britain, at the time of the breaking out of the war between that country and the United States. *-
2. The next question is, what are the consequences to which this acquired domicil may legally expose the person entitled to it, in the event of a war taking place between the government under which he resides and that to which he owes a permanent allegiance ? A neutral, in his situation, if he should engage in open hostilities with the other belligerent, would be considered and treated as an enemy. A citizen of the other belligerent could not be so considered, because he could not, by any act of hostility, render himself, strictly speaking, an enemy, contrary to his permanent allegiance. But although he cannot be considered an enemy, in the strict sense of the word, yet he is deemed such, with reference to the seizure of so much of his property concerned in the trade of the enemy, as is connected with his residence. It is found adhering to the enemy. He is himself adhering to the enemy, although not criminally so, unless he engages in acts of hostility against his native country, or, probably, refuses, when required by his country, to return. The same rule, as to property engaged in the commerce of the enemy, applies to neutrals ; and for the same reason. The converse of this rule inevitably applies to the subject of a belligerent state, domiciled in a neutral country; he is deemed a neutral by both belligerents, with reference to the trade which he carries on with the adverse belligerent, and with all the rest of the world.
But this national character which a man acquires by residence, may be thrown off at pleasure, by a return to his native country, or even by turning his back on the country in which he has resided, on his -way to another. To use the language of Sir W. Scott, it is an adventitious character gained by residence, and which ceases by non-residence. It no longer adheres to the party from the moment he puts himself in motion, bond fide, to quit the country sine animo revertendi. The Indian Chief, 3 Rob. 12, 17. The reasonableness of this rule can hardly be disputed. Having once acquired a national character, by residence in a foreign country, he ought to be bound by all the consequences of it, until he has thrown it off, either by an actual return to his ^native country, or to that where he was naturalized, or r*281 by commencing his removal, bond fide, and without an intention of L returning. If anything short of actual removal be admitted to work a change in the national character acquired by residence, it seems perfectly reasonable, that the evidence of a bona fide intention to remove should be such as to leave no doubt of its sincerity. Mere declarations of such an intention ought never to be relied upon, when contradicted, or, at least, rendered doubtful, by a continuance of that residence which impressed the character. They may have been made to deceive ; or, if sincerely made, they may never be executed. Even the party himself ought not to be bound by them, because he may afterwards find reason to change his determination, and ought to be permitted to do so. But when he accompanies those declarations by acts which speak a language not to be mistaken, and can hardly fail to be consummated by actual removal, the strongest evidence is afforded, which the nature of such a case can furnish. And is it not proper that the courts of a belligerent nation should deny to any person the right to use a character so equivocal, as to put it in his power to claim whichever may best suit his purpose, Avhen it is called, in question ? If his property be taken, trading with the enemy, shall he be allowed to shield it from confiscation, by alleging that he had intended to remove from the country of the enemy to his own, then neutral, and therefore, that as a neutral, the trade was lawful ? If war exist between the country of his residence and his native country, and his property be seized by the former, or by the latter, shall he be heard to say in the former case, that he was a domiciled subject of the country of the captor, and in the latter, that he was a native subject of the country of that captor also, because he had declared an intention to resume his native character ; and thus to parry the belligerent rights of both ? It is to guard against such inconsistencies, and against the frauds which such pretensions, if tolerated, would sanction, that the rule above mentioned has been adopted.
Upon what sound principle, can a distinction be framed, between the case of a neutral, and the subject of one belligerent domiciled in the country of the other, at the breaking out of the war ? The property of each, found engaged in the commerce of their adopted country, belonged to them, *2R2l *kef°re the "war, in their character of subjects of that country, so J long as they continued to retain their domicil; and when a state of war takes place between that country and any other, by which the two nations and all their subjects become enemies to each other, it follows, that the property, which was once the property of a friend, belongs now, in reference to that property, to an enemy. This doctrine of the common law and prize courts of England is founded, like that mentioned under the first head, upon national law; and it is believed to be strongly supported by reason and justice. It is laid down by Grotius, p. 563, "that all the subjects of the enemy who are such from a permanent cause, that is to say, settled in the country, are liable to the law of reprisals, whether they be natives or foreigners; but not so, if they are only trading or sojourning for a little time." And why, it may be confidently asked, should not the property of such subjects be exposed to the law of reprisals and of war, so long as the owner retains his acquired domicil, or, in the words of Grotius, continues a permanent residence in the country of the enemy ? They were before, and continue after the war, bound, by such residence, to the society of which they are members, subject to the laws of the state, and owing a qualified allegiance thereto ; they are obliged to defend it (with an exception in favor of such a subject, in relation to his native country), in return for the protection it affords them, and the privileges which the laws bestow upon them as subjects. The property of such persons, equally with that of the native subjects in their totality, is to be considered as the goods of the nation, in regard to other states. It belongs, in some sort, to the state, from the right which she has over the goods of its citizens, which make a part of the sum total of its riches, and augment its power. Yatt. 147 ; and also, lib. 1, c. 14, § 182. In reprisals, continues the same author, we seize on the property of the subject, just as we would that of the sovereign ; everything that belongs to the nation is subject to reprisals, wherever it can be seized, with the exception of a deposit entrusted to the public faith. Lib. 2, c. 18, § 344. Now, if a permanent residence constitutes the person a subject of the country where he is settled, so long as he continues to reside there, and subjects his property to the law of reprisals, as a part of the property of the *nation, p. it would seem difficult to maintain, that the same consequences would L not follow in the case of an open and public war, whether between the adopted and native countries of persons so domiciled, or between the former and any other nation.
If, then, nothing but an actual removal, or a bond fide beginning to remove, can change a national character, acquired by domicil, and if, at the time of the inception of the voyage, as well as at the time of capture, the property'belonged to such domiciled person, in his character of a subject, what is there that does, or ought, to exempt it from capture by the privateers of his native country, if, at the time of capture, he continues to reside in the country of the adverse belligerent ? It is contended, that a native o-r naturalized subject of one country, who is surprised in the country where he was domiciled, by a declaration of war, ought to have time to make his election to continue there, or to remove to the country to which he owes a permanent allegiance ; and that, until such election is made, his property ought to be protected from capture by the cruizers of the latter. This doctrine is believed to be as unfounded in reason and justice, as it clearly is in law. In the first place, it is founded, upon a presumption that the person will certainly remove, before it can possibly be known, whether he may elect to do so or not. It is said, that this presumption ought to be made, because, upon receiving information of the war, it will be his duty to return home. This position is denied. It is his duty to commit no acts of hostility against his native country, and to return to her assistance, when required to do so ; nor will any just nation, regarding the mild principles of the law of nations, require him to take arms against his native country, or refuse her permission to him to withdraw whenever he wishes to do so, unless under peculiar circumstances, which, by such removal at a critical period, might endanger the public safety. The conventional law of nations is in conformity with these principles. It is not uncommon to stipulate in treaties, that the subjects of each shall be allowed to remove with their property, or to remain unmolested. Such a stipulation does not coerce those subjects either to remove or to remain. They are left free to choose for themselves ; and when they have made their election, they claim the right of enjoying *it under the treaty; But until the election is made, r*284 their former character continues unchanged. ,
Until this election is made, if his property found upon the high seas, engaged in the commerce of his adopted country, should he permitted, by the cruisers of the other billigerent, to pass free, under the notion that he may elect to remove, upon notice of the war, and should arrive safe, what is to be done, in case the owner of it should afterwards elect to remain where he is ? or, if captured and brought immediately to adjudication, it must, upon this doctrine, be acquitted until the election to remain is made known. In short, the point contended for would apply the doctrine of relation to cases where the party claiming the benefit of it may gain all, and can lose nothing. I-f he, after the capture, should find it his interest to remain where ho is domiciled, his property embarked before his election was made, is safe ; and if he finds it best to return, it is safe, of course. It is safe, whether he goes or stays. This doctrine, producing such contradictory consequences, is not only unsupported by any authority, but it would violate principles long and well established in the prize courts of England, and which ought not, without strong reasons which may render them inapplicable to this country, to be disregarded by this court. The rule there, is, that the character of property, during war cannot be changed in transitu, by any act of the party, subsequent to the capture. The rule, indeed, goes further : as to the correctness of which in its greatest extension, no opinion need now be given ; but it may safely be affirmed, that this change cannot and ought not to be effected by an election of the owner and shipper of it, made subsequent to the capture, and more especially, after a knowledge of the capture is obtained by the owner. Observe the consequences which would result from it. The capture is made and known. The owner is allowed to deliberate whether it is his interest to remain a subject of his adopted, or of his native country. If the capture be made by the former, then he elects to be a subject of that country ; if by the latter, then a subject of that. Can such a privileged situation be tolerated by either belligerent ? Can any system of law be correct, which places an individual who adheres to one belligerent, and, to the period of his election to remove, *contributes to increase her wealth, in so anomalous a situation as to be clothed with the privileges of a neutral, as to both belligerents ? This notion about a temporary state of neutrality impressed upon a subject of one of the belligerents, and the consequent exemption of his property from capture by either, until he has had notice of the war, and made his election, is altogether a novel theory, and seems, from the course of the argument, to owe its origin to a supposed hardship to which the contrary doctrine exposes him. But if the reasoning employed on this subject be correct, no such hardship can exist. For if, before the election is made, his property on the ocean is liable to capture by the cruizers of his native and deserted country, it is not only free from capture by those of his adopted country, but it is under its protection. The privilege is supposed to be equal to the disadvantage, and is therefore just. The double privilege claimed seems too unreasonable to be granted.
It will be observed, that in the foregoing opinion respecting the nature and consequences of domicil, very few cases have been referred to. It was thought best not to interrupt the chain of argument, by stopping to examine cases ; but faithfully to present the essential principles to be extracted from those which were cited at the bar, or which have otherwise come under the view of the court, and which applied to the subject. With what success this has been executed, is not for me to decide. But there are two or three cases which seem to be so applicable, and at the same time, so conclusive on the great points of this question, that it may not be improper briefly to notice them. In support of the general principles, that the national character of the owner at the time of capture, must decide his right to claim, and that a subject is condemned by it, even in the courts of his native country, without time being allowed to him to elect to remove, the following cases may be referred to.
In The Boedes Lust, 5 Rob. 247, it was decided, that the property of a resident of- Demarara, shipped before hostilities of any kind bad occurred between Holland and Great Britain, but which was captured, under an embargo declared by England upon Dutch property, as preparatory to war, which ensued soon after the seizure, was, by the retroactive effect of the war, applied to property so seized, to be considered *as the property of an enemy taken in war. In this case, Sir W. Scott lays it down, *- that, where property is taken in a state of hostility, the universal practice has ever been, to hold it subject to condemnation, although the claimants may have become friends and subjects, prior to the adjudication. This case is somewhat stronger than the present, in the circumstance, that in that, the state of hostility, alleged to have existed at the time of capture, was made out, by considering the subsequent declaration of war as relating back to the time of seizure under the embargo, by which reference it was decided to be a hostile embargo, and of course, tantamount to an actual state of Avar. But this case also proves, not only that the hostile character of the property at the time of capture, establishes the legality of it, but that no future circumstance changing the hostile character of tbe claimant to that of a friend or subject, can entitle him to restitution. Whether the claimant, in this case, was a neutral or a British subject, does not appear. But if the former, it will not, it is presumed, be contended, that he is, upon the principles of national law, less to be favored in the courts of the belligerent, that a subject of that nation domiciled in the country of the adverse belligerent.
WhitehilVs Case, however, referred to frequently in Robinson's Reports, comes fully up to the present, because he was a British subject, who had settled but a feAV days in the hostile country, but before he knew or could have known of the declaration of war; yet, as he went there with an intention to settle, this, connected Avith his residence, short as it was, fixed his national character, and identified him Avith the enemy of the country he liad so recently quitted. The want of notice, and of an opportunity to extricate himself from a situation to Avhich he had so recently and so innocently exposed himself, could not prevail to protect his property against the belligerent rights of his own country, and to save it from confiscation. There are many other strong cases upon these points, which I forbear to notice particularly, from an unAvillingness to swell this opinion already too long.
The sentence of the court is as follows : This cause came on to be heard on the transcript of the record, and was argued by counsel; on consideration whereof, it is decreed and ordered, that the sentence of *the circuit court of Massachusetts condemning the one hundred casks of white lead claimed by Lenox & Maitland be, and the same is hereby affi rmed with costs. And that the sentence of the said circuit court as to the claim of Magee & Jones to twenty-one trunks of merchandise be, and the same is hereby reversed and annulled ; and that the said twenty-one trunks of merchandise be condemned to the captors ; and that the sentence of the said circuit court as to the ship Venus claimed by Lenox & Maitland be, and the same is hereby reversed ; and that the said ship Venus be condemned, the one-half thereof to the captors, the other half to the United States, under the order of the said circuit court. That the sentence of the said circuit court as to the claim of William Maitland to one-half of one hundred and fifty crates of earthenware, thirty-five cases and three casks of copper, nine pieces of cotton bagging and twenty and four-twentieths tons of coal, be, and the same is hereby reversed, and that the same be condemned to the captors ; and that the sentence of the said circuit court, as to the claim of Alexander McGregor to one-half of one hundred and ninety-eight packages of merchandise, as the joint property of himself and Lenox & Maitland, and of the claim of William Maitland for one-fourth of the same goods, and of the claim of Alexander McGregor to twenty-five pieces of cotton bagging, and five trunks of merchandise, be, and the same is hereby reversed and annulled, and that the same be condemned to the captors ; and that the said cause be remanded to the said circuit court for further proceedings to be had therein.
Johnson, J., declined giving an opinion.
Story, J.
I do not sit in this cause : but the great question involved in it, respecting the effect of domicil on national character, forms the leading point in many eases before the court. Those cases have been ably and fully argued, and I have listened, with great solicitude and attention, to the discussion. On so important a question, where a difference of opinion has been expressed on the bench, I do not feel at liberty to withdraw myself from the responsibility which the law imposes on me. The parties in the other cases have a right to my opinion ; and however painful it is, in the embarrassing * «1 *situation in which I stand, to declare it, I shall not shrink from what - I deem a peremptory duty. The question is not new to me : it has been repeatedly before me in the circuit court, and has been applied sometimes to relieve and sometimes to condemn the claimant. I shall not pretend to go over the grounds of argument; but content myself with declaring my entire concurrence in the opinion expressed by Judge Washington on this point.