On an intestacy, personal chattels are distributed according to the law of the country where deceased was domiciled at the time of death, and not according to the law of the place where they happen to be located.
* 153. Modus et conventio vincunt legem. Custom and agreement override the law.
This is one of the leading principles relative to the law of contracts. The exceptions to the rule here laid down are in cases against public policy, morality, &c. (See the case of Richardson v. Langridge, Tudor’s L. C. Convey. 4th ed. p. 4; Chitty on Contracts, 16th ed. p. 592, and Maxs. Nos. 37 and 197.)
154. Mors dicitur ultimum supplicium. Death is said to be the extreme penalty.
Death is the utmost limit of all things. Capital punishment is now only inflicted in cases of high treason and murder.
155. Multi multa, nemo omnia novit. Many have known many things; no one has known everything.
So long, at least, as the law is ever changing, this must remain true.
156. Mutatis mutandis. Making such changes or alterations as the sense requires.
157. Nam silent leges inter arma. Laws are silent in time of war.
It is to be noticed that during those periods of our history in which wars, civil or foreign, were most prevalent, very little was accomplished in the way of legislature. Domestic legislation is always a sure index of a peaceful administration.