NEUTRALITY. The state of a nation which takes no part between two or more other nations at war with each other.
2. Neutrality consists in the observance of a strict and honest impartiality, so as not to afford advantage in the war to either party, and particularly in so far restraining its trade to the accustomed course which is held in time of peace as not to render assistance to one of the belligerents in escaping the effects of the other's hostilities. Even a loan of money to one of the belligerent parties is considered a violation of neutrality. 9 J. B. Moore, p. 586. A fraudulent neutrality iv considered as no neutrality.
3. The violation of neutrality by citizens of the United States, contrary to the provi sions of the act of congress or April 20, 1818, renders the individual liable to an indictment. Oue fitting out and arming a vessel in the United States to comniit hostilities against a foreign power at peace with them is, therefore, indictable. And by the 8th section of the act, the president, or such other person as he shall have empowered for that purpose, may em ploy the land and naval forces and the mili tia of the United States for the purpose of taking possession of and detaining any ship or vessel, with her prize or prizes, etc., and for
the purpose of preventing the carrying on of any expedition or enterprise contrary to the provisions of that act. Wharton, Crirn. Law, N 2778-2807, and cases there cited ; Brightly & Dig. U. S. Law, 688-690, giving act of 1820, at length there cited : 6 Pet. 445 ; 1 Pet. C.
O. 487. See United States, Curtis & Pritch ard, and other Digests ; Aldin's Index, Whea ton, Law of Nations ; Phillimore, Int. Law; Marshall, Ins. 384 a ; 1 Kent, Comm. 116 ; Burlamaqui, pt. 4, c. 5, ss. 16, 17 ; Bynkers hoeck, lib. 1, c. 9 ; Cobbett, Parl. Deb. 406 ; Chitty, Law of Nat.; Vattel, 1. 3, c. 7, 104; Martens, Precis, liv. 8, c. 7, 306; Boucher, Inst. nn. 1826-1831.