from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
POSTLIMINIUM. That right in virtue of which persons and things taken by the
enemy are restored to their former state, when coming again under the power
of the nation to which they belong. Vat. Liv. 3, c. 14, s. 204; Chit. Law of
Nat. 93 to, 104; Lee on Captures, ch. 5; Mart. Law of Nat. 305; 2 Woodes. p.
441, s. 34; 1 Rob. Rep. 134; 3 Rob. Rep. 236; Id. 97 2 Burr. 683; 10 Mod.
79; 6 Rob. R. 45; 2 Rob. Rep. 77; 1 Rob. Rep. 49; 1 Kent, Com. 108.
2. The jus posiliminii was a fiction of the Roman law. Inst. 1, 12, 5.
3. It is a right recognized by the law of nations, and contributes
essentially to mitigate the, calamities of war. When, therefore, property
taken by the enemy is either recaptured or rescued from him, by the fellow
subjects or allies of the original owner, it does not become the property of
the recaptor or rescuer, as if it had been a new prize, but it is restored
to the original owner by right of postliminy, upon certain terms.