EMBARGO

A restraint or prohibition imposed by the public authorities of a country on merchant ve els or other ships, to prevent their leaving its ports. Embargoes are usually imposed only in time of war, or in apprehension of an invasion; in which cases the government employs the ships under embargo in armaments, expeditions, and transportation of troops, . When it is found nece ary to stop the communication of intelligence between any two places, an embargo is laid upon all ships, both foreign and under the national flag. [s. 406]